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Sir Lenny Henry presents a special concert marking 50 years of Black-owned soul music label Philadelphia International Records.

This one-night-only event will feature hits from the label’s extensive back catalogue, performed by an array of guest stars accompanied by the Â鶹ԼÅÄ Concert Orchestra and music director Chris Cameron.

Philadelphia International Records, founded in 1971, was a major force behind the Philly soul genre. Characterised by funk influences and lush string and horn arrangements, Philly soul would lay the groundwork for the emergence of disco later in the 1970s.

The label's roster included the O'Jays, Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and Teddy Pendergrass among others, with hits including  Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, *Don't Leave Me This Way*, Love Train, Me and Mrs. Jones  a²Ô»å  When Will I See You Again. 

"Without the sound of Philadelphia, I might not have created Theophilus P Wildebeeste. He was a tribute to Teddy Pendergrass and all those other soul singers who liked to speak words of lurve on their records. Gamble and Huff and the rest of the Philly team are legends and it is a privilege to host a night of their musical genius." Lenny Henry