Philly Groove Records Incorporated

U.S. soul music label started by Stan Watson and Sam Bell in 1967, with noted producer Thom Bell doing A&R. Sometimes shown as simply "Philly Groove Records" or "Philly Groove Records & Tapes". The label's best-known artists were The Delfonics and First Choice, which enjoyed a run of hits during the late 60s and early 70s, especially on the R&B charts, and was instrumental in establishing the famed Philadelphia soul sound. The label was distributed by Bell Records from its inception in 1967 until 1974, closing after Bell was folded into Arista Records. In 2012, independent music publisher Reservoir Media Management acquired Philly Groove Records and its sister music publishing company, Nickel Shoe Music. In 2015, Reservoir partnered with Drexel University to host Uncovering The Philly Groove, an educational music mixing course at the school. Students were given unfinished Philly Groove recordings to mix and master, which they premiered at an event in Drexel’s URBN Center with panelists including Reservoir SVP of Creative & Business Development, Faith Newman; Sigma Sound Studios founder, Joe Tarsia; Philly Old School 100.3 station DJ Dyana Williams; Drexel University Associate Professor and Audio Archivist Toby Seay; and celebrated Philadelphia musician and record producer Bobby Eli.