Alongside the production duo of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, songwriter, arranger, and producer Thom Bell was a key figure in shaping the Philly soul sound of the ’70s. The Jamaica-born, classically trained Bell worked as a session musician and arranger before producing hits for The Delfonics such as “La-La Means I Love You” and “Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” which he imbued with a particularly lush, deeply emotive quality. But it was when he reunited with his former singing companions Gamble and Huff that the Philly sound would properly take shape, as they worked together to make hits for Jerry Butler, Archie Bell & The Drells, and The O’Jays. As a producer and writer, Bell lent his hand to a number of classic songs for The Stylistics, including “You Are Everything” and “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” and helped revive Motown group The Spinners after they moved to Atlantic Records. Bell died in December 2022 at age 79.