We mourn the loss of one of Philadelphia music’s most important performers and influencers, Vincent Montana, Jr., founder of the Salsoul Orchestra and long-time member of MFSB at the age of 85. Over the course of his multi-decade career, Montana was consistently recognized as a primary influence for his work as a musician, an arranger, songwriter and producer. Simply put, it would be nearly impossible to have danced to a soul record recorded in Philadelphia in the 1970′s-1980′s without hearing Vince’s contributions to music.
As a member of MFSB and founder of The Salsoul Orchestra, Vince’s work as a vibrophonist and percussionist grew to become an integral part of shaping “The Sound of Philadelphia” as we know it. Vince’s ability to score complex arrangements for dance music — signature string, brass notes and rhythm arrangements utilizing his knowledge of the global array of percussion instruments and their unique tones — became the sought-after standards of the Philly sound, particularly on records produced for both Philadelphia International Records and Salsoul Records. Along with Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Vince is known as one of the premier architects who shaped and defined Philadelphia’s prolific dance music, disco, soul and R&B grooves.
Beyond the numerous legendary recordings he made with MFSB and with The Salsoul Orchestra, Montana’s string arrangements, percussion and vibrophone sounds appear on several hundred of the most revered soul, R&B and disco records. In later years, Montana’s influence never waivered; his arrangements and performances shone through in modern house music as he (along with his Philly Sound Orchestra) arranged and produced tracks with Louis Benedetti, Masters at Work, Dimitri From Paris and Pet Shop Boys among many others.
See Also: Must Hear: Kirk Degiorgio’s tribute to the late Vince Montana, Jr.
Source: RIP Vince Montana, Jr. (member of MFSB and founder of the Salsoul Orchestra)
More: Vincent Montana, Jr. on Soundcloud
The post RIP Vincent Montana, Jr. (MFSB member & founder of Salsoul Orchestra) appeared first on Loudersoft.
