Philadelphia (
or Philly)
soul, sometimes called the
Philadelphia sound or
Sweet Philly, is a genre of
soul music characterized by
funk influences and lush instrumental
arrangements, often featuring sweeping
strings and piercing
horns. The subtle sound of a
vibraphone can often be heard in the background of Philly soul songs. The genre laid the groundwork for
disco and what are now considered
quiet storm and
smooth jazz by fusing the R&B rhythm sections of the 1960s with the pop vocal tradition, and featuring a slightly more pronounced jazz influence in its melodic structures and arrangements.