Various Artists - Virtue Recording Studios (2017) Tramp 2 x LP,s - Rare Soul++Bonus Tracks

One of the Essential Labels to come out of Philadelphia was the Virtue Label. With a staggering Output of 560 Odd Records Recorded at this Tiny label founded by Francis F. Virtuoso (Virtue).
Frank Virtue was born 1923 Passed 1994. He played the violin as a child and took up the guitar and the double bass as a teenager. He continued with the latter as a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra and studied orchestration at Temple University. He enlisted in the Navy in 1945 and became bandleader of the Regular Navy Dance Band in Bainbridge, Maryland. He was discharged in 1946 because his father, who had been diagnosed with cancer, could no longer support his family. Virtue considered putting together a big band but, due to financial constraints, assembled an amplified trio instead, with Ralph Frederico on the piano and Steve Rossi on the guitar. Virtue named the band the Virtuoso Trio after their formation in 1947. Founder member of American rock 'n' roll band The Virtues from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They had a hit in 1958 called "Guitar Boogie Shuffle". Towards the end of 1962, Virtue disbanded the group and pursued a career as a record producer and recording engineer. His studio, Virtue Recording Studios was located at 1618 N. Broad St., was one of the top studios in Philadelphia for a number of years until closing in the early 1980s. His original studio, in the basement of his house on Fayette Street, was where "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" was originally recorded. One of the most well known and beloved recording studios in Philadelphia, PA music history, Frank Virtue’s Virtue Studios has seen its share of magic. From number three Billboard hits with his band The Virtues to the eventual opening of the studio in 1962, the man made a name for himself making good records. From the big bands of the 1940’s up until the hip hop of the 1990’s, Virtue Recording Studios has produced some phenomenal records in its time. The flat fee of $300-$500, which a certain fresh-faced group called The Stylistics took advantage of for their first 45 on Sebring. What this release celebrates however, is the cream of the Funk-Soul-R&B cuts put out on Virtue Recording Studio’s own label and its subsidiaries such as Fayette and Rising Soul which are now heavily sought after on original 45.many classic (and hard to get) records. Sides like Cliff Nobles “The Horse” and “Boogaloo Down Broadway” by the Fantastic Johnny C, plus a myriad of soul, rock, and funky sides. This lo-fi sound on the records were highly sought after by record collectors and champions of this sound out of The City of Brotherly Love. Myself and many other collectors bought up the multitude of Acetates that were floating around back in the day for the outstanding Soul content with many sides spun on the UK Northern Scene.The studio ran until the 1990’s where a number of rap groups recorded records there. Virtue passed away in 1994, and the studio was sold. Unfortunately, after a few years it went out of business, and the historic building at 1618 North Broad Street was bought by Temple University and razed in 2001. A huge chunk of Philadelphia music history went down when that building was demolished.I was lucky enough to meet frank and what a gentleman he was,very obliging and educated to the UK northern scene & general soul lovers with its fanatical collectors. There are no historical markers to show that the studio even existed, only the remaining acetates and incredible music made there through out the years. To honor this sacred place and the music that came out of it, Tramp Released this Double Album on vinyl. Many of the songs are legitimately licensed for the first time.This tops the impressive but lesser-known discography of a label named after its owner, a Philadelphia musician who only scored a number three US billboard hit in the fifties and subsequently became a record label owner and producer in the sixties.Virtue’s Philadelphia studio, set up in 1962, can lay claim to having cut a lacquer master of The Beatles second 45 on Swan, Sie Liebt Dich, after being passed a copy of the German Odeon 45.From a wealth of material, 21 cuts have been selected & Ive added 3 Bonus Tracks to create a solid gold listening experience.Funky Philly soul-brag Big Ladies Man with its distinctive hook by the gravel-voiced Bob Marshall and the RDM Band’s wistful Temptations-ish How Can I Get In Touch With You stand out in the early part of the album. In the middle of the LP three tracks are notable: the country-tinged soul of Gene Faith’s When My Ship Comes In and Family Man (which alternates between New Orleans funk style verses and a Motown hook) along with The Fantastic Virtues’ monster instrumental version of Tequila. Finally it’s the funky, chunky disco of Ann Byers This Man Is Rated X (a Northern fave along with the male version) that rules the closing section. Not that you’ll want to be skipping anything on this though.So something for all soul genre lovers here thanks to Frank creating a little bit of Philly Soul History. Tried Ripping this to Flac but just didnt sound right with its early recording techniques so MP3 is the ticket to hear these gems in their original glory!

AMM

                                                                       Frank Virtue

                                                                         The Tasters

                                                            Tracks & Bonus Tracks Below

                                      22 - Bonus - Past Due - Hot Fun In The Summertime, Pt. 1

                                      23 - Bonus - Virtues - Doin' It

                                      24 - Bonus - Gene Faith - If You Don't Love Me