In the mid-1960s Leon Huff formed a landmark R&B songwriting and production partnership with Kenny Gamble. Before settling in Philadelphia he had already supplied piano on New York sessions for Phil Spector, the Ronettes, and Carole King. Huff later assembled the Locomotions and continued session work for Cameo and Swan. One such date found him playing on the track “The 81,” co-written by Gamble, who was present while Candy & the Kisses recorded the song. Huff secured his debut composing success in 1964 with “Mixed-Up Shook-Up Girl” for Patty & the Emblems. The next year he joined the Romeos, then joined forces with Gamble to establish Gamble Records. The pair went on to write and produce for the Soul Survivors, the O’Jays, and additional artists before launching Philadelphia International Records in the early 1970s. Their orchestral string arrangements, polished yet deeply soulful aesthetic, and balanced selection of socially conscious and romantic material yielded hits for the O’Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, MFSB, the Intruders, and others. On his own, Huff supplied hits for the Ebonys, People’s Choice, Carolyn Crawford, and Bunny Sigler. He appeared as a solo artist on Philadelphia International with two singles issued in 1980 and 1981; “I Ain’t Jivin’, I’m Jammin” received modest attention. The circumstances surrounding the label’s collapse during the 1980s remain unexplained.
