  philadelphia international records (pir) is an american record label based in philadelphia. it was founded in 1971 by the writer-producer duo, kenneth gamble and leon huff. it was famous for showcasing the philadelphia soul music genre (also known as philly soul). during the 1970s the label released a string of worldwide hits. ==beginning and success== the label was set up in connection with mighty three/assorted music, the music publishing company run by gamble, huff and another philadelphia producer, thom bell, to showcase their songs. main artists signed to the label included the o'jays, harold melvin & the blue notes (including lead singer teddy pendergrass, who later signed a solo deal), lou rawls, the three degrees, and billy paul. the label's major hits included: "tsop (the sound of philadelphia)" by mfsb, featuring the three degrees, 1974 (which was later adopted as the theme of the tv dance-music show soul train); "ain't no stoppin' us now" by mcfadden & whitehead (writers and producers with the label), 1979; "back stabbers" and "love train" by the o'jays, 1972/3; "if you don't know me by now" and "the love i lost" by harold melvin & the blue notes, 1972/3; "me and mrs. jones" by billy paul, 1972; "when will i see you again" by the three degrees, 1974; and "you'll never find another love like mine" by lou rawls, 1976. the label had a distribution deal with cbs records until 1984. distribution of the catalog from 1976 onwards was then taken over by emi, but cbs/sony music entertainment continued to distribute material recorded up to 1976. in 2007, sony's legacy recordings regained the rights to philadelphia international's full catalog and the following year, pir/legacy released a box set titled love train: the sound of philadelphia.cnn most of the music released by the label was recorded and produced at sigma sound studios in philadelphia, with chief engineer (later studio owner) joe tarsia recording many of the sessions. more than 30 resident studio musician
American_record_labels Philadelphia_International_Records_albums Philadelphia_International_Records_artists Record_labels_established_in_1971 Soul_music_record_labels