Formed 1974, New York, New York State, U.S.A.
Disbanded 1982
The Salsoul Orchestra consisted of:
Charles Apollonia
John Bonnie
Edward Cascarella
Roger DeLillo
Don Renaldo
Bobby Eli (b. Eli Latarsky, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)
Jack Faith
Larry Gold
Carl Helm
Carlton 'Cotton' Kent
Ron 'Have Mercy' Kersey (b. Tyrone Garfield Kersey, 7th April 1949, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. d. 25th January 2005, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)
Rudolph Malizia
Vince Montana
Robert Moore
Ronnie James (b. Ronald J. DiStasio, Wednesday 1st December 1943, Philadelphia, Pennsyvania, U.S.A. d. Friday 29th November 2019, Mantua, New Jersey, U.S.A.)
Peter Quintero
Christine Reeves
T.J. Tindall
Ron Tyson
Larry Washington
Earl Young
Philip Hurtt
Phyllis Rhodes
and
Vincent Montana, Jr. (b. 12th February 1928, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. d. 13th April 2013, U.S.A.)
In the same way that MFSB were the 'house orchestra' to Philadelphia International, the Salsoul Orchestra performed the same task for Salsoul Records.
In 1974, Vince Montana was introduced to local entrepreneurs Joe, Ken and Stan Cayre (who ran a local Latin music label) by Afro-Cuban pianist Joe Bataan.
Within the Salsoul Orchestra, it was predominantly Vince Montana who wrote, conducted and produced the orchestra from the mid-70's to the mid-'80's.
the salsoul orchestra - 1975 / nice n'nasty - 1976 / christmas jollies - 1976 / magic journey - 1977
Some of their finer moments included 'Ooh I Love It (Love Break)' (1975), 'You're Just The Right Size' (1976), 'Salsoul 3001' (1976), 'Runaway' (1977), 'Christmas Time Medley' (1981), 'Take Some Time Out' (1982) and the Patrick Adams-produced 'Seconds' featuring Loleatta Holloway (1982).
With arrangers, conductors and whole sections of instruments (including up to 18 violinists), contributing to the sound, the Salsoul Orchestra routinely included up to 50 members.
The orchestra also played on numerous recordings for the label's other groups and artists such as Charo's 'Charo And The Salsoul Orchestra' (1977), including 'Dance A Little Bit Closer'.
up the yellow brick road - 1978 / how high - 1978 / street sense - 1979 / heat it up - 1982
Many Salsoul contributors played on some of the best disco tracks of their time, including Trammps, Grace Jones, the Whispers, Loleatta Holloway and First Choice.
After dismantling the Salsoul Orchestra in the early '80's, Vince Montana led the studio group Montana and recorded with several pop stars of the '80's as well as the '90s.
Though Salsoul records had long been out of print, several were brought back in the mid-'90's.
Many of the more recent 'house' music offerings owe more than a passing nod to the recordings of this orchestra.
Albums:
The Salsoul Orchestra (Salsoul Records 1975)
Nice 'N' Naasty (Salsoul Records 1976)
Christmas Jollies (Salsoul Records 1976)
Magic Journey (Salsoul Records 1977)
Cuchi-Cuchi (Salsoul Records 1977)
Up the Yellow Brick Road (Salsoul Records 1978)
Greatest Disco Hits / Music for Non-Stop... (Salsoul Records 1978)
Street Sense (Salsoul Records 1979)
Christmas Jollies II (Salsoul Records 1981)
Anthology (Salsoul Records 1994)
The Best of the Salsoul Orchestra (Charly Records 1999)
