The Philadelphia International All-Stars
The Philadelphia International All-Stars was a one-time supergroup assembled by label founders Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. It featured major stars from Philadelphia International Records, including Billy Paul, The O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble (Kenny's wife), Lou Rawls, and Archie Bell & the Drells.
Formed in the mid-1970s amid social challenges like urban poverty, the group aimed to promote positive messages through music. Gamble and Huff rallied these artists to address "cleaning up the mental Ghetto" via a unifying project.
Their primary output was the 1977 album Let's Clean Up the Ghetto, a compilation-style record blending hits and new tracks to spotlight the label's talent. The title track became a minor hit, embodying the Philly soul sound with MFSB's orchestral backing.
Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto
Arranged By, Producer – Bobby Martin
Written-By – R. MacDonald, W. Salter
3:48
A2 The Philadelphia International All-Stars– Let's Clean Up The Ghetto
Arranged By – Dexter Wansel
Producer – Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff
Written-By – C. Gilbert, K. Gamble, L. Huff
8:42
A3 Dee Dee Sharp Gamble– Ooh Child
Arranged By, Producer – Bobby Martin
Written-By – S. Vincent
3:32
A4 Teddy Pendergrass– Now Is The Time To Do It
Arranged By – Bobby Martin
Producer – John Whitehead, Gene McFadden, Victor Carstarphen
Written-By – G. McFadden, J. Whitehead, V. Carstarphen
3:42
A5 The Three Degrees– Year Of Decision
Arranged By – Norman Harris
Producer – Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff
Written-By – K. Gamble, L. Huff
2:34
B1 The O'Jays– The Big Gangster
Arranged By – Bobby Martin
Producer – Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff
Written-By – K. Gamble, L. Huff
3:50
B2 Billy Paul– New Day, New World Comin'
Arranged By – Ron Kersey
Producer – Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff
Written-By – K. Gamble, L. Huff
4:30
B3 Archie Bell & The Drells– Old People
Arranged By – Dexter Wansel
Producer – Bunny Sigler
Written-By – B. Sigler, D. Wansel
3:45
B4 Intruders– Save The Children
Arranged By – Lenny Pakula
Producer – Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff
Written-By – G.S. Heron
4:12
B5 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes– Everybody's Talkin'
Arranged By – Jack Faith
Producer – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Harold Melvin
Written-By – F. Neil
3:51
Label: Philadelphia International Records – JZ 34659
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Soul, Funk, Disco, Philly
Released in 1977, Let's Clean Up the Ghetto is a socially conscious charity album featuring the premier roster of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philadelphia International Records.
The album is regarded as one of the most "righteous" and socially aware sets from the label's golden era. Critics praise it for balancing high-quality Philly Soul and Funk with a direct call for urban rejuvenation.
Handled by the legendary MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) backing band, the music is characterized by heavy basslines and lush harmonic arrangements.
It remains a cult favorite among soul purists, holding high user ratings across collector platforms (averaging 4.0 to 4.6/5 as of early 2026).
Notable Tracks
"Let's Clean Up the Ghetto" (Title Track): An eight-minute "posse cut" featuring Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, The O'Jays, Billy Paul, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, and Archie Bell. It begins with a spoken monologue by Rawls addressing city neglect.
"Trade Winds": Performed by Lou Rawls, this track is frequently cited as a melodic highlight.
"Ooh Child": A darker, more pessimistic arrangement of the classic Five Stairsteps hit, performed by Dee Dee Sharp Gamble.
"Save the Children": A remake of the Gil Scott-Heron piece by The Intruders, emphasizing generational struggles.
The project was a fundraising effort where all profits were donated to community development programs in blighted inner-city areas. The "Clean Up the Ghetto" campaign eventually expanded from Philadelphia to major hubs like Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago.