The Salsoul Orchestra - Salsoul Orchestra (LP) 1975 (Very Good Plus (VG+))

The Salsoul Orchestra's self-titled debut, released March 1975 on Salsoul Records, introduced the "orchestral soul" sound of the label's house band, a group of Philadelphia session musicians led by vibraphonist Vincent Montana Jr. Montana had left MFSB the previous year after a financial split with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and was introduced by singer Joe Bataan to the Cayre brothers, who built Salsoul Records around him; Philly regulars Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker and Earl Young followed him over. Montana wrote, arranged, conducted and produced every track, layering conga-driven Latin percussion beneath the strings on "Salsoul Hustle" and "Salsoul Rainbow," a heavier Latin identity than the smoother MFSB sound it grew out of.