Billy Paul - 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul (1972) LP-P.I.R. - (2012) CD-BBR Remastered & Expanded Edition + Booklet (FLAC)

Billy Paul, a major artist of the Philadelphia Soul Sound, was born Paul Williams in North Philadelphia in 1934. In 1945, the 11-year-old Paul made his first radio broadcast appearance, and by 16, he had appeared at Club Harlem in Philadelphia on the same show as saxophonist Charlie Parker. In 1952, Paul released his first single, “Why Am I” and Side-B “That’s Why I Dream” with Jubilee Records, Months later, Paul released his second single with the Buddy Lucas Orchestra, “You Didn’t Know.”  In 1957 while in the United States Army, Paul and Gary Crosby, the son of Bing Crosby, started the Jazz Blues Symphony Band and the ensemble toured Germany. In addition, Paul was a boxer while serving the country. Upon being honorably discharged in 1959, Paul joined the New Dawn record label and released several singles, including “Ebony Woman.” None of the compositions charted. In 1967, Billy Paul and Blanche Williams, a production manager, were married. They had two children. That same year, Gamble and Huff signed Paul to a recording deal. "Feelin’ Good at the Cadillac Club" (1968), the first album, was a revision of Paul’s club act. He went on to release Ebony Woman (1970). It peaked at no.12 on the Billboard Soul Charts and no. 183 on the Pop Charts. Billy released the album Going East in 1971. And in 1972, his album 360 Degrees of Billy Paul(FEATURED HERE EXPANDED) on the P.I.R.label peaked at no.27 in 1974. This work included the single “Me and Mrs. Jones” that peaked at no. 12 R&B and sold more than four and a half million copies in the United States. In 1973 at the 15th Annual Grammy Awards, Paul received the award for the hit for “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.” From 1974 to 1979, Paul released six singles on the Philadelphia International label that charted including “Let’s Make a Baby,” which reached no. 18 on the R&B chart, no. 30 on the UK chart, and no. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His “Only the Strong Survive” peaked at no. 33 on the UK chart and no. 68 on the R&B chart in 1977. In 1980, Paul’s “Sexual Therapy” reached no. 80 on the R&B chart. In 1988, Paul released his last album, Wide Open. In 2011, Paul was invited by vocalist Chimène Badi to participate in her album Gospel & Soul for the cover of Marvin Gaye’s hit, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. And in 2014, at the age of 80, Paul recorded with Chico and the Gypsies on the album Chico & The Gypsies & International Friends. The following year he was awarded the 2015 AMG (Artist Music Guild) Favourite Retro Artist of the Year for his continuous career in music. Billy released 15 studio albums and a couple of duets and live ones also over his career. He sadly died of pancreatic cancer in 24, 2016, in Blackwood, New Jersey. He was 81. One of THE greatest voices to exit philly and a true LEGEND! This is the expanded version with bonus tracks.This 1972 set is the first Billy Paul album that most people heard,his 4th album and 2nd on P.I.R. it being the one that produced Me & Mrs Jones as lead single. It's amongst his best too, for it also includes the superb mid-tempo Philly roller Brown Baby, a tribute the kids who took part in the civil rights marches, the eight-minute epic I'm Just A Prioner,a Gamble-Sigler-Hurtt song that Billy confesses reminded him of a stretch behind bars his step-dad did, and the funky follow-up to Mrs Jones, Am I Black Enough For You?

AMM

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