Salsoul Orchestra

The Salsoul Orchestra was the backing band for acts on Salsoul Records. Under their own name the group recorded several hit singles and albums between 1975 and 1981.

Group History

The orchestra was formed in 1974 in New York., U.S. and disbanded in 1982. Their music featured elements of Philadelphia Soul, Funk, Latin Music and disco. The Salsoul Orchestra included up to 50 members with instrumental section, arrangers and conductors. The Salsoul Orchestra was conducted by Vincent Montana Jr.

Production duties came,from 1978 to 1983, by Tom Moulton, Stan Lucas, Patrick Adams & Bunny Sigler.

The Salsoul Orchestra consisted of the most of the original members of Philadelphia International's MFSB, who had moved on to Salsoul as the result of a disagreement with producers Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff over finances. Other members began performing as The Ritchie Family orchestra, and as John Davis and the Monster Orchestra. On later MFSB recordings, Gamble & Huff uses a new rhythm section which caused them to have a slightly different sound.

Their song, "Love Break (Ooh I Love It)" has been sampled in rap songs such as 50 Cent's "Candyshop" and Eric B & Rakim's "Paid in Full", but most notably in Madonna's "Vogue".

Partial Discography

Singles

• "Salsoul Hustle" (1975) Billboard Hot 100 - #76 (charted for 6 weeks, Salsoul 2002)
• "Tangerine" (1976) - Billboard Hot 100 - #18 (charted for 13 weeks, Salsoul 2004)
• "You're Just The Right Size" (1976) - Billboard Hot 100 - #88 (charted for 5 weeks, Salsoul 2007)
• "Nice 'N' Naasty" (1976) - Billboard Hot 100 - #30 (charted for 14 weeks, Salsoul 2011)
• "Ritzy Mambo" (1977) - Billboard Hot 100 - #99 (charted for 1 week, Salsoul 2018)
• "Getaway (Earth, Wind & Fire song)" - Billboard Bubbling Under - #105
• "Dance Little Bit Closer" feat Charo - Billboard Bubbling Under - #104

Other songs recorded

• "Chicago Bus Stop" (1975)
• "It's Good For The Soul"
• "Merry Christmas All"
• "Run Away" (1977) featuring Loleatta Holloway, covered in 1996 by Nuyorican Soul with musicians from the Salsoul Orchestra^{[citation needed]}
• "Salsoul 3001" (Also Spoke Zarathustra)

Albums

• "The Salsoul Orchestra" – Billboard albums chart - #14 (charted for 45 weeks, Salsoul 5501)
• "Nice ‘N’ Naasty" –Billboard albums chart - #61 (charted for 14 weeks, Salsoul 5502)
• "Christmas Jollies" –Billboard albums chart - #83 (charted for 6 weeks, Salsoul 5507 in 1976 and re-entered the charts in 1977 at #48 for 7 weeks)
• "Magic Journey" –Billboard albums chart - #61 (charted for 20 weeks, Salsoul 5515)
• "Cuchi-Cuchi" (Charo and the Salsoul Orchestra) –Billboard albums chart - #100 (charted for 15 weeks, Salsoul 5519)
• "Up the Yellow Brick Road" –Billboard albums chart - #117 (charted for 8 weeks, Salsoul 8500)
• "Greatest Disco Hits/Music For Non-Stop Dancing" –Billboard albums chart - #97 (charted for 13 weeks, Salsoul 8508)
• "Christmas Jollies II" –Billboard albums chart - #170 (charted for 5 weeks, Salsoul 8547)