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Thank you to everyone that has supported this release. We hope you continue to do so. Many thanks!

~The Masters

CD "Highly recommended" at SoulTracks!

Phil Hurtt couldn't sleep. That was the problem that set the stage for an epiphany. As the noted Philadelphia producer and songwriter lay awake, tossing and turning in bed one night in 2004, he thought about many things, including his city and his music. That's when an inspiration hit him. In the 60s, Detroit was the center of the music universe, as Motown rightly declared itself the "Sound of Young America." In the 70s, the mantle passed to Philadelphia, with Philadelphia International Records and other local labels bringing a sophisticated, orchestral yet danceable sound to the forefront. But success had receded in both places years ago, perhaps the victim of changing times, perhaps of bad decisions by record executives, perhaps due to the nature of the music industry itself. Yet one thing hadn't gone from Detroit and Philly: the talent. Some had died and everyone (especially the Detroit artists) had aged, but there was still talent. That's what hit Hurtt in the middle of the night. He knew the artists, the musicians, the producers. What if he could bring them all back together for a celebration of those two great cities and eras? Even better, what if he could create a concept project where Philly artists paid homage to Detroit and Detroit artists celebrated Philadelphia? With his ambitious idea in mind, Hurtt says, "I didn't sleep for two years."

Hurtt's goal was not only to get back together with friends in a familiar setting -- the recording studio -- but also to remind the world of the immense talent that was and is present in the two cities, talent that has often failed to receive its just due. During 2005 and 2006 he brought together an amazing collection of artists to fulfill his dream. Legendary performers like Freda Payne, Lamont Dozier and George Clinton as well as lead vocalists from the Trammps, the Stylistics, Blue Magic, the Three Degrees, Sister Sledge and the Delfonics came together. Better yet, Hurtt nabbed the legendary "house bands" of Motown and PIR, The Funk Brothers and MFSB, and began putting the pieces together, flying from Philly to Detroit and back again for multiple recording sessions.

The mass collective called themselves The Masters of Funk, Soul and Blues and the resulting recording, the 2-disc A Soulful Tale of Two Cities, was released in January, 2007.
For lovers of all that was right with popular soul music of the 60s and 70s, A Soulful Tale is an absolute treasure. Beginning with Jean Carne's smoking cover of the Stevie Wonder classic "Higher Ground," the collection runs through a well thought out selection of memorable hits from the two cities. Interestingly, the stars of Soulful Tale are not the Smokey Robinsons and O'Jays that were the faces of their respective labels, but are many of the lesser known but incredibly talented artists of the same era. So MFSB and the Funk Brothers, who are only recently receiving their well deserved public praise, are spotlighted here and sound terrific. And underrated singers such as Carne, Russell Thompkins Jr. (of the Stylistics), Ted "The Wizard" Mills (of Blue Magic), Jimmy Ellis (of the Trammps) and former Temptations lead Ali Ollie Woodson shine. Perhaps the biggest treat is hearing the strong, memorable vocal performances of a handful of men who were largely cast as writers or producers during the heyday of Detroit and Philadelphia. So cuts like the slow, Gospel-like take on "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" by Bunny Sigler, the soulful cover of "Sunshine" by Motown's Bobby Taylor, Lamont Dozier's take on "Me and Mrs. Jones" and Hurtt's falsetto, big band rendition of "The Girl's Alright" are particularly pleasing surprises.

It's easy to give A Soulful Tale of Two Cities the benefit of the doubt and to want to like it, due to the presence of so many talented, underappreciated artists. But fortunately, nostalgia doesn't have to play a role in enjoying this disc. It stands on its own as a singular pleasure and a welcome platform for an amazing group of performers who sound as good in 2007 as they did decades earlier.
Highly recommended.

by Chris Rizik
SoulTracks

"Where can I get the CD?"

We're so glad you asked!

The CD is currently available at CD Baby and at select retailers in the Philadelphia area. It is also available, as a Special Order, through retailers worldwide.

For an up-to-date listing, or to request info for your area, visit our Message Board at Soulfultale.com

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Detroit News give 'A Soulful Tale...' an A-!!

Motown and Philly swap songs for 'Soulful' set
By Susan Whitall - Detroit News

For soul fans, the news last year was tantalizing: Classic Motown and Philly soul artists would collaborate on a project that would have the Philly artists giving their spin on some famed Motown songs and the Detroiters interpreting Philly soul gems. Many of the artists involved were singing as well as ever but just needed a new break and the right old-school musicianship and producers behind them. Anticipation was high.

Now, the two-CD set, "A Soulful Tale of Two Cities," is out today, available at cdbaby.com or at soulfultale.com. The CD set is made up of two discs -- "Philly does Motown" and "Motown does Philly." Producers Phil Hurtt, along with Motown's Lamont Dozier and Clay McMurray -- joined by Bobby Eli of the famed studio group MFSB, Bunny Sigler, the Funk Brothers and veteran Philly soul engineer Gene Leone -- were behind the controls and performing in the studio for the action, which took place in Philly and Detroit.

The "Philly does Motown" side starts out kicking with Jean Carne's supercharged version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground." Other highlights: producer Hurtt polishes off a stunning falsetto for "The Girl's Alright"; Jimmy Ellis of the Trammps makes "Isn't She Lovely" even livelier than the Wonder original, if that's possible; and the side ends with a six-minute Philly soul party sung into outer space by Sigler on Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up."

Then it's Motown's turn. Ollie Woodson of the Temptations shines on the Philly classics "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" and "(For the Love of) Money." Dozier, who was a singer long before he was a Motown songwriter/producer, stuns with his gut-wrenching, on the floor, begging "Me and Mrs. Jones." Cal Street is better than ever with her Velvelettes on "One of a Kind Love Affair"; and Bobby Taylor is a revelation on "Love Train," "Sunshine" and "Sadie."

The pleasure of this CD is multi-faceted: You're reminded of the great original song, you get to each city's soul masters put their own stamp on the competition's songs and you can enjoy the kind of vocals that need no computer wizardry to yank them into tune. Quibbles? One or two, vastly outweighed by the plusses. Get ready for what Kathy Sledge calls on "Dancing in the Streets," a "Philatroit" good time. Grade: A-

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070116/ENT04/701160389/1036

FREE - download new single, today only!

Our new single "When the World is at Peace" is now available exclusively on our My Space, as a free download, for today only.

The track features George Clinton, Kathy Sledge, Bobby Taylor, Ollie Woodson and Kim Weston.

It was written more than 30 years ago by Phil Hurtt, Bunny Sigler and Kenny Gamble but, unfortunately, we find that it is just as relevant today.

"When the World is at Peace" - available now!

CD Signing on Release Day!

If you live in the Philadelphia area, join us on Tuesday, January 16th at The Sound of Market, 15 South 11th Street - 2nd Floor, from 5pm to 7pm as some of the Masters of Funk, Soul and Blues meet and greet the fans to celebrate the release of A Soulful Tale of Two Cities!

Scheduled to appear*:
Kathy Sledge
Major Harris
Barbara Mason
Phil Hurtt
Bobby Eli
Russell Thompkins, Jr.
Gene Leone
and more!

There will be prizes and giveaways, so come one, come all. Grab your copy of A Soulful Tale of Two Cities and have it autographed by a Master!

*subject to change

Phil Hurtt radio interview this Sunday, 01.14.07!

Tune in this Sunday, January 14, 2007, to Radio Station WNJC 1360AM from 7:30pm - 8:30pm, when Radio Host !Christina! does a live one on one interview with PHIL HURTT, President and CEO of Soul Renaissance Records, and the brain behind "The Soulful Tale of Two Cities."

WNJC 1360AM reaches New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Delaware. For those of you outside of the listening area you can hear it live by clicking on the link below. http://www.wnjc1360.com then click on "Listen Now" You can also call in to: 856-227-1360 from anywhere in the world with any questions or comments that you may have for Phil.

The entire hour will be dedicated to The Soulful Tale Of Two Cities and the Masters of Funk, Soul and Blues. Pass it on!

A Soulful Tale of Two Cities on UK Radio!

The Right Track Soul Radio Show ... on WFM 97.2 fm Show broadcast on January 9th, Live From Manchester featuring A Soulful Tale Of Two Cities!

Their interview with Phil Hurtt was FANTASTIC!!!

Playback City... hear the whole show (Phil's interview & and lots of the tracks) right here at this link! http://www.therighttrack.org.uk/past_shows.html or... (Click Here to Hear The Show!)

Thanks to everybody that tuned in, continued to send emails and called Harry & Diana at the station from all over the world during the show it was a true blast!

Pass it on!

A Soulful Tale of Two Cities - Available January 16th!

At long last, the most anticipated CD of the past year is coming to you!

A Soulful Tale of Two Cities by the Masters of Funk, Soul and Blues will be released on Tuesday, January 16th. Visit http://www.soulfultale.com for purchase information.

Also look for the new single from the double-cd as well!