Students at Drexel University get to remix old R&B, soul songs

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It's a song no one, including the singers, has ever heard before!

The group 'The Finishing Touch' recorded it in the 1960s under the old Philly Groove label at Sigma Sound - a world-renowned recording studio on North 12th Street in Center City.

The label was terminated in 1974, leaving 275 unfinished songs in its file, and Sigma Sound closed in 2003.

Now Drexel students who take the "Uncovering the Philly Groove" class get to act as mix-masters - finishing these classic R&B and soul songs recorded before they were even born!

They get to decide how much drums, strings and vocals to use on the new digital equipment.

"It's amazing to work with tracks that were recorded by professionals so long ago," said Matthew Kleinman, junior.

In the old days, the artists were all in the same room recording together - something not done now.

And the difference in the sound is stunning.

"It's really organic. It teaches them how these materials go together and how do artists react to each other," said Toby Seay, associate professor.

The students are starting 16 songs now and 32 others later.

It's just been a classroom exercise because of copyright issues until now.

But Reservoir, a New York City label, bought the copyrights and is partnering with Drexel.

Together they're releasing an album this fall of old but new songs.

"We're constantly thinking about the challenge of how do we re-introduce these songs in a way that belies their contributions to Philly soul," said Catherine Addo, Reservoir.

"The business side - we're involved in all the marketing of it, the outreach, blogs," said Marc Offenback, assistant professor.

It's a real life assignment that can revive the classic sounds of our city.