Philadelphia International Records was founded in 1971 by innovative and prolific songwriters/producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, and became the birthplace, incubator and launching pad for the sophisticated Philly Soul sound also known as "The Sound of Philadelphia." The duo amassed an extraordinary array of producers, songwriters, musicians and engineers including Thom Bell, Dexter Wansel, Bobby Martin, MFSB, Joe Tarsia and more to help craft some of the most memorable lyrics and melodies of the past five decades. The legendary roster of stars who helped bring these chart-topping disco, R&B, soul and funk sounds to life included The O'Jays, Patti LaBelle, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, McFadden & Whitehead, The Three Degrees, Phyllis Hyman, The Intruders, and many others.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia International Records, Sony Legacy releases brand new vinyl compilations of six classic label artists including legendary soul singer Teddy Pendergrass, the first male African American artist to record five consecutive platinum albums. Originally rising to fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Pendergrass was the unforgettable voice of hits like "You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration," "Close the Door," "Turn Off The Lights," and "Love T.K.O." before his career was struck by tragedy in 1982 when a car accident left him paralyzed at the age of just 31. The Best of Teddy Pendergrass collects 18-tracks from his fruitful Philadelphia International Records tenure across a pair of vinyl LPs.