News

Jerry “The Iceman” Butler, who had a national hit with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act The Impressions before leaving for a successful solo career and later entering Chicago politics, died Thursday at his home, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. He was 85. No cause of death was reported, but Butler had been struggling with Parkinson’s disease.

Born on December 8, 1939 in Chicago, Butler met Curtis Mayfield in the early 1950s, and they later teamed with Sam Gooden and brothers Richard and Arthur Brooks in a doo-wop group before changing their name to The Impressions and signing with Vee-Jay Records. The group hit with its first single, 1958’s “For Your Precious Love,” driven by Butler’s soulful lead vocal. Co-written by Butler and Brooks brothers, reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the soul chart. It ranked No. 335 on Rolling Stone‘s 2003 list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All...

Jerry Butler, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and original lead singer of the Impressions who later embarked on a successful career as a solo artist and a Chicago politician, has died at the age of 85.

Butler’s niece confirmed her uncle’s death to the Chicago Sun-Times, adding that he died Thursday at his Chicago home. No cause of death was provided. “He was very important to both music and to the community, and he will be missed,” Yolanda Goff said. “We hope the city of Chicago...

Filmmaker Sam Pollard, one of the most prolific and important forces in contemporary documentary, will be honored by Black Public Media at its upcoming PitchBlack Awards in New York.

Pollard — who directed or co-directed four films and docuseries this year alone, including The League and Bill Russell: Legend — will receive the Bpm Trailblazer Award in a ceremony on April 25. The event is set to take place at the Stanley H. Kantor Penthouse of Manhattan’s Lincoln Center, capping the latest edition of Bpm’s PitchBLACK Forum, described as “the largest pitch competition of its kind in the United States for independent filmmakers and creative technologists who create Black content.”

“A multiple Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning producer-director-editor, Pollard is known for his work on a plethora of important works including: Eyes On The Prize, Maynard, MLK/FBI, Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power, and Mr. Soul!,” a release noted.

Clarence Avant, the veteran music and entertainment executive known as the “Black Godfather” who was hailed for his influence and guidance by Quincy Jones, Pharrell Williams, Snoop Dogg, Whitney Houston, and others, died at home in Los Angeles on Sunday. He was 92.

Avant’s death was announced Monday through a statement shared by his family. “It is with a heavy heart that the Avant/Sarandos family announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant,” the statement read. “Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘The Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music,...

On Dec. 22, pop lost one of its true influencers when Thom Bell died at the age of 79. As a producer, songwriter, and/or arranger, Bell was at the forefront of the Philadelphia Sound, the gorgeous R&b that dominated much of the pre-disco Seventies. Along with his peers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Bell injected a level of elegance and sophistication into R&b and pop as heard on records he made with the Spinners (“I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” “Mighty Love,” “One...

Thom Bell, who helped to create the soul songs style that became known in the 1960s and 1970s as “The Sound of Philadelphia,” died Thursday in Bellingham, Washington. He was 79 and no cause of death was given.

His lawyer, Michael Silver, confirmed the death.

Bell, along with fellow producers and songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, were the forces behind the lush orchestrations that characterized The Sound of Philadelphia. Bell, Gamble, and Huff were known as “The Mighty Three,” working out of a Broad Street building and creating a song factory that dominated the era’s charts and Top 40.

Dyanna Williams, a music journalist and broadcast personality, announced Bell’s death on her social media accounts Thursday afternoon.

“Beloved songwriter arranger, producer Thomas aka Randolph Bell aka Thom Bell, co-architect of The Sound of Philadelphia with Gamble & Huff. Soundtrack to our lives music The Delfonics The Stylistics The Spinners Deniece Williams...

Producer Thom Bell, who co-created “The Sound of Philadelphia” alongside Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff as the Mighty Three, has died at age 79. His cause of death was not immediately made known.

“Tommy and I have been best friends for over 60 years,” said Gamble in a press statement. “When we first met, we decided to start writing songs together and form a singing duo ‘Kenny and Tommy’ and then our band The Romeos… He was a great talent and my dear friend. Rest in peace buddy.”

“Thom Bell was my favorite musician,...

Every year, June marks the nationwide celebration of Black Music Appreciation Month - a time to commemorate, appreciate, and get educated on all of Black artists' contributions to the nation's music landscape. Black Music Month - a concept pioneered by cofounders Kenny Gamble and Dyana Williams - was officially established by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979. Since then, the month-long remembrance has grown to be a major staple in the culture observed by artists all over.

"Music is universal, it's inclusive, it's colorful, and it's all that energy that we need to feel."

"Kenny, Cleveland radio DJ Ed Wright, and myself wanted to advocate a period of time to celebrate all those involved in the creation and promotion of Black music," Williams told Billboard in 2015. Gamble added: "We picked June as the time when we could concentrate on recognizing and celebrating the economic and cultural power of Black music as...

Netflix has scored a slam dunk with a feature-length documentary about NBA great and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell that will be directed by Sam Pollard.

The untitled documentary is described as the definitive bio-doc on Russell, one of American sports’ greatest champions who won 11 titles with his 13-years with the Celtics, including his last two as the first Black head coach in NBA history while still playing for the team.

Russell himself will sit for an exclusive series of interviews and provide access to his archives as part of the documentary. No release date has been set.

Larry Gordon, Ross Greenburg and Mike Richardson are producing the film for High Five Productions, LLC.

The Bill Russell documentary follows the string of successful films and series about other sports icons such as Michael Jordan in “The Last Dance” and an upcoming series about Magic Johnson, among many others.

Known for...

Sam Pollard, the Peabody winning director of “Mr. Soul!” and “Sammy Davis, Jr.: I Gotta Be Me,” has set another documentary feature called “The Sound of Philadelphia” about music icons Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell and the musical genre they helped proliferate, Philly Soul.

“The Sound of Philadelphia” is a documentary produced by Warner Music Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music and Imagine Documentaries in partnership with Jigsaw Productions. Alex Gibney is executive producing the film.

The film will explore how Gamble, Huff and Bell — together known as “The Mighty Three” — founded the record label Philadelphia International Records and helped craft a signature sound heard in a catalog of over 3,500 songs. It includes tracks like “Love Train” by The O’Jays, “If You Don’t Know Me Now” by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, “Me and Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul, “Rubberband Man” by the Spinners, “You Are Everything” by The Stylistics,...

“The Sound of Philadelphia,” a documentary on the 1970s “Philly Soul” sound and its masterminds Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell, is coming from Warner Music Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, and Imagine Documentaries, in partnership with Jigsaw Productions, the companies announced on Wednesday. The lushly orchestrated but soulful sound — exemplified by songs like “Love Train” by the O’Jays, “If You Don’t Know Me Now” by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, “Me and Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul, and “Tsop” by Mfsb and the Three Degrees – famously known for its use as the Soul Train theme song.dominated U.S. radio in the mid-1970s and influenced all of the R&b that has followed, perhaps most immediately with David Bowie’s “Young Americans” album, and most recently with Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s Soul Sonic.

The Oscar and Emmy award-winning executive producer Alex Gibney has signed on to the project,...

The story of Philly Soul as told by its three greatest hitmakers will be the focus of an upcoming documentary produced by Alex Gibney.

The Sound of Philadelphia will feature never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews with Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, a.k.a. “the Mighty Three” who founded Philadelphia International Records and served as songwriters and producers for artists like the O’Jays, the Spinners, the Jacksons, and many more.

Gamble, Huff, and Bell said in a statement, “After six decades, we are incredibly proud to finally...

Exclusive: The story of Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, who created the sound of Philly Soul, is to be chronicled in a new feature documentary.

Sam Pollard, director of Mr. Soul!, MLK/FBI and Citizen Ashe, will direct The Sound of Philadelphia with Alex Gibney, director of docs including Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, set as exec producer.

The doc, which will tell the story of the sound of late ’60s/early ’70s soul music, comes from Warner Music Entertainment, publishing company Warner Chappell Music and Imagine Documentaries in partnership with Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions.

The Sound of Philadelphia will include exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage featuring the songwriters and producers Gamble, Huff, and Bell – known as The Mighty Three. It will explore how the founders of the legendary record label Philadelphia International Records, crafted their sound and navigated the music business.

The trio wrote...

By the dawn of the Seventies, the protest song was considered as much a relic of the previous decade as the word “groovy,” with notable exceptions like Edwin Starr’s “War,” Neil Young’s “Ohio,” and Bob Dylan’s “George Jackson.” As Arlo Guthrie told Rolling Stone this summer, “The music business went from figuring out how they could make some money selling protest songs to realizing, ‘Well, they don’t really sell that well, so we’ll move on to something else.’ Which they did.”

But the sight of...

A new documentary about seminal soul singer Teddy Pendergrass, If You Don’t Know Me, will premiere February 8th at 9 p.m. Et/Pt on Showtime.

Olivia Lichtenstein directed the film, which will feature rare archival footage of Pendergrass, as well as interviews with the singer’s friends, family and music industry colleagues like Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Pendergrass’ famed former manager, Shep Gordon, served as one of the film’s executive producers.

If You Don’t Know Me will chronicle Pendergrass’ entire career, from his childhood in Philadelphia...

Ed Sheeran is joining “The A Team.”

The “Shape of You” singer — whose new album ÷ has topped the Billboard 200 two weeks in a row — will be honored with the Hal David Starlight Award at the 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala in N.Y.C., People can exclusively announce.

“Ed Sheeran has accomplished so much in pop music that it is hard to believe he is only 26. He is not an overnight sensation, however, having immersed himself in songwriting, recording and performing since his early teens. His natural talent as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer has brought him well-deserved success,...

This article originally appeared on EW.com.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its latest class of inductees on Monday. This year’s batch includes Max Martin; Jay Z; collaborative duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis; Motown records founder Berry Gordy; Chicago members Robert Lamm, James Pankow, and Peter Cetera; and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. The induction ceremony is set for June 15 at New York City’s Marriott Marquis Hotel.

“With our 2017 roster of inductees, the Songwriters Hall of Fame moves definitively into recognizing music creators of the 21st century while continuing to honor the greats of earlier decades,” the Hall...

Jay Z has reached a new career milestone!

With over 100 million records sold, 13 No. 1 albums, and 21 GRAMMYs, the 47-year-old mogul is in line to receive another prestigious honor from the music community.

Related: Pregnant Beyonce Celebrates Twin Announcement With Never-Before-Seen Pics With Jay Z

Jay will become the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, legendary musician Nile Rodgers revealed on Wednesday during CBS This Morning.

"He has changed the way we listen to music,” Rodgers, who announced this year’s list inductees, said of Jay Z’s "massive" impact on music. "He's changed the way that we've had fun, he's changed the way that we cry."

News: Jay Z's Upcoming Docuseries 'Time: The Kalief Browder Story' -- Watch the Heartbreaking First Trailer

The Brooklyn native joins an impressive list of 2017 honorees which include, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, singer/songwriter Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, songwriting and production...

Soul man Billy Paul has died, aged 80.

The Me & Mrs. Jones singer passed away on Sunday (April 24), according to a message posted on his website.

The statement reads: "We regret to announce with a heavy heart that Billy has passed away today at home after a serious medical condition.

"We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Blanche and family for their loss, as they and the world grieves the loss of another musical icon... Billy will be truly missed."

Paul’s manager, Beverly Gay, has confirmed the news, telling outlets the singer died at his home in New Jersey a week after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Born Paul Williams, he first hit the stages of his native Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in his teens and once shared a bill with jazz great Charlie Parker, who became a mentor just before he died.

Using the advice the musician gave him,...

Nick Jonas continues to climb to new career "Levels." The Kingdom star will be honored with the Hal David Starlight Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame's 47th Annual Induction and Awards in New York on June 9, People can exclusively announce. "Nick Jonas is one of the brightest and most versatile young talents on the American pop scene," Songwriters Hall of Fame co-chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff said. "A veteran of recording, television, movies and Broadway success ... he has been making his cultural mark in a variety of ways for more than a decade. Nick has literally grown up in public,...

Elvis Costello, Marvin Gaye, Tom Petty, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards, and Chip Taylor will become the latest inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the organization announced Wednesday. “The 2016 roster of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees is a beautiful mosaic of the best of late 20th Century popular music,” Hall of Fame co-chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff said in a joint statement. “With creators of Rock & Roll, Soul/R&B, Country and Funk/ Dance represented, we are looking forward to an unforgettable and extremely exciting event and evening at the Marriott Marquis on June 9th.” Elvis Costello wrote his first song,...

There's a moment about one-third of the way through Spike Lee's new documentary Michael Jackson's Journey From Motown to Off the Wall in which the Jackson estate's archivist pulls out a yellowed, frayed letter and reads aloud. Written after Michael and his brothers, collectively known as the Jackson 5, had left Motown and were recording under the name the Jacksons, the future King of Pop is jotting down various aspirational goals: He wants to get into the movies, he wants to explore all musical styles and directions, he wants...

Fox

Two things were clear on tonight’s “American Idol.” First, the top eight didn’t always get the same feedback from the mentors during rehearsals that they did from the judges following their live performances. Second: count nobody out.

The crew sang songs from the 80’s, rehearsing with No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal joining Jimmy to help the singers along. To kick the decade off, a picture of Randy dressed, well, in a super-80’s way,...

Don Cornelius passed away on February 1st from a gunshot wound to the head. The host of "Soul Train" is being remembered by music legend Kenneth Gamble. "I'm sad to hear of his passing. He was such a wonderful person and an American icon," he said. Gamble, along with partners Leon Huff and Thom Bell, was responsible for discovering and nurturing numerous R&B and soul performers while running their Philadelphia International Records label in the 1970s and '80s. Gamble remembers his friend Cornelius in an interview with the La Times

He talks about what the show did for the African American community. "Don Cornelius' 'Soul Train' made a great contribution to American culture. It came directly from the African American community. It was more than TV dance show; it was a source of pride and dignity for African American community. There were hardly any venues at that time,...

Don Cornelius' death on Wednesday of an apparent suicide is sending shockwaves of sadness throughout Hollywood. Cornelius, who created the iconic and groundbreaking TV dance party Soul Train, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told THR. The 75-year-old's body was found early Wednesday at his Encino home on Mulholland Drive, and he was shortly pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai hospital. "Don Cornelius and his creation of Soul Train and its legacy had a great impact on American culture," said soul-music producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in

read more...

We’ve just received information that the world premiere of the brand new Michael Jackson biopic, is set to take place right in here in London. To celebrate, we’ve been given this brand new clip from the movie which is introduced by legendary music Producer and friend to the Jackson family, David Gest.

Following the announcement, we get to see a new clip from the movie entitled He Went to a New Level which I’ve placed in the video embedded below. When you see the clip you just scratch the surface of the impact that he made on the world. I was astonished at some of the clips seeing just a few of the people he met.

I’ve also placed the press release that we have been sent with full details on the World Premiere which is set to take place on November 2nd 2011 at the Empire Leicester Square.

Los Angeles — "American Idol" finalist Thia Megia could be gone with the wind come Thursday.

The breathy 16-year-old high school student from Mountain House, Calif., didn't dazzle the Fox talent competition's judges Wednesday with her rendition of Vanessa Williams' "Colors of the Wind" from Walt Disney's "Pocahontas."

Megia defended her choice on the evening of birth-year songs, but Steven Tyler questioned whether it defined her as an artist.

"I felt like I was at some pageant somewhere," blasted Randy Jackson.

Other wannabe divas also failed to impress. Jackson admitted he was still confused by Haley Reinhart, the 20-year-old college student from Wheeling, Ill., who pummeled Whitney Houston's "I'm Your Baby Tonight." Reinhart, a victim of a "lipstick massacre" during her performance, received her critique as "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest wiped a smudge off her chin.

"I feel like you're still a little tense in your body," Lopez told Reinhart.

Stars including Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs and Mary J. Blige are leading tributes to late singer/songwriter Teena Marie, who died over the weekend. The 54 year old reportedly passed away in her sleep at her home in Pasadena, California and her friends and fans have rushed to honor her influential career.

Combs voiced his shock at Marie's death, revealing he saw her just days before her tragic passing. In a post on Twitter.com, he writes, "R.I.P Teena Marie. God Bless. Damn I just saw her the other day."

Blige also posted a message on Twitter to honor Marie, writing, "Rest in peace Teena Marie. My Love for u is forever," while rapper Common added, "Teena and I are both Pisces and we believe that we've been here before. That's why De Ja Vu is my favorite song."

R&B songwriting duo Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff...

'R.I.P Teena Marie. God Bless. Damn I just saw her the other day,' Diddy tweets.

By Jocelyn Vena

Teena Marie

Photo: Larry Marano/Getty Images

The music world was stunned to find out that legendary R&B singer Teena Marie died over the weekend. The singer was just 54 and left a lasting influence on many of today's contemporary artists, who immediately reacted to the singer's death. Marie's peers also shared their memories of the singer as the rest of the world was still learning of her death.

Diddy tweeted: "R.I.P Teena Marie. God Bless. Damn I just saw her the other day."

Mary J. Blige also took to Twitter to pay her final respects to the influential artist, who was a friend and protégé of Rick James'. "Rest in peace Teena Marie," Blige wrote. "My Love for u is forever."

Common cited their shared...

The songwriting/production team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff has been the musical force behind over 3500 songs in 35 years, rivaling catalogs by Lennon and McCartney, and even Bacharach and David. Their Philly International label focused on "The Sound Of Philadelphia," was distributed by Clive Davis' Columbia Records group in the seventies, and gave the latter company its most successful R&B chart hits. Almost immediately after signing with the company, Gamble and Huff's combined talents steered the likes of The O'Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Billy Paul, Mfsb, and the Three Degrees into both R&B and Pop's Top Ten with songs such as "Love Train," "Me And Mrs. Jones," "Back Stabbers" and "If You Don't Know Me By Now" becoming as timeless as any single can be. The pair has received many prestigious awards, but none...

R&B legend suffered a difficult recovery following colon cancer surgery.

By Gil Kaufman

Teddy Pendergrass (circa 1979)

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images

One of the world's great soul men, singer Teddy Pendergrass, died at age 59 on Wednesday after a long battle with colon cancer. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Pendergrass, who was paralyzed after a 1982 car accident, died in a Philly hospital eight months after undergoing colon cancer surgery and suffering through a difficult recovery.

In his prime in the 1970s, Pendergrass was one of the premier R&B singers in America, leading Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes to the top of the charts with indelible soul classics such as "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "I Miss You."

Teddy Pendergrass Remembered

After leaving the Blue Notes in 1976, Pendergrass recorded a series of solo hits for the legendary Philadelphia International label into the 1980s, including his signature between-the-sheets hit,...

Here are some of the highlights from the R&B legend's nearly 40 years in the music business.

By Neil Gladstone

Teddy Pendergrass

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images

Teddy Pendergrass, the 59-year-old Philadelphia soul legend who died on January 13 from complications due to colon cancer surgery, may be best remembered for a few things: gravelly ballads delivered sweat-drenched and bare-chested, quiet-storm mainstays such as "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "Close the Door" and a 1982 accident in his Rolls Royce that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

After that life-changing moment, he went through a gauntlet of surgeries and wrenched his way back to the recording studio (1984's Love Language) and the stage (notably a Live Aid in 1985 and later in a late-'90s production of "Your Arms Too Short to Box With God.") But he had many other memorable moments.

1950: Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass was...

"Many have honored Kenny Gamble's achievements....this time he is bestowing the gratitude...on his country." . Michael Smerconish, CBS Radio .If a person hearing this does not get goose bumps, does not horripilate, then they.re deaf or dead.. - Lionel, Air America morning host In honor and loving support of our nation.s veterans, legendary music pioneer and co-creator of .The Philadelphia Sound. Kenny Gamble is releasing a new DVD/CD commemorative package of his acclaimed new symphonic ode to patriotism, .I Am An Am American,. on November 10, 2009 to help raise funds and awareness for battling homelessness among veterans. I Am An American: The Making of An Anthem, a documentary revealing the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.s...

The masters of '70s R&B on what has been called a "creative rampage."

By Phil Gallo

Songwriters, producers and entrepreneurs Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff set a message of love and togetherness to lushly orchestrated ballads and dance tunes to create the Philly Soul sound of the 1970s. Their Philadelphia International Records grabbed the baton from Motown and Stax in 1971 and quickly commandeering the pop and R&B charts with records by the O’Jays, the Spinners, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Jerry Butler, Lou Rawls and Billy Paul.

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Labelle have announced details of a new album and single, their first original material in over 30 years. The group, made up of Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, will release new LP Back To Now on April 20. The trio, who rose to fame with 'Lady Marmalade' in 1974, have teamed up with Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz and Gamble & Huff in a bid to reignite their career. "We talked to Kenny Gamble about the idea of us getting together and invited him to a session. He showed (more)...

All non-performing inductees to the Rock + Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award from Monday night onwards - as a tribute to the late music mogul and Hall of Fame co-founder.

The naming of the honour, which was given to Ertegun in 1987, was announced at the beginning of Monday night's induction ceremony in New York.

In 1995, the Hall of Fame's main exhibition hall was named after Ertegun, who died in 2006.

The first winners of the Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement were `Sound of Philadelphia' songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

The duo was honoured at the ceremony by Patti LaBelle, who kicked off the night's performances with a spirited rendition of Gamble + Huff's classic If You Don't Know Me By Now. They were inducted by soul singer Jerry Butler.

NEW YORK -- Sony BMG Music Entertainment has licensed the complete catalog of music from Philadelphia International Records, the label founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971, Billboard has learned. This marks the first time that the entire PIR catalog -- which includes hits by Patti LaBelle, the O'Jays, MFSB, Billy Paul and others -- is under one roof.

Under the terms of the multiyear arrangement, Sony BMG Music Entertainment's Commercial Music Group and Legacy Recordings will issue physical and digital recordings of PIR material. The deal also extends to ringtones (another PIR first), PDA applications, synch licenses and branded entertainment.

The partnership launches in October with two double-disc compilations: "The Essential Lou Rawls" and "The Essential Teddy Pendergrass." Additionally, 50 digital releases (original albums and collections) will be ready for download by year's end.

Some previously unreleased recordings, including a live set from LaBelle and a Phyllis Hyman album, also will make their commercial debuts.