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Songwriting and disco soul funk duo of multi-instrumentalists Leroy M. Bell and Casey James from Philadelphia.
Bell's uncle was Philly soul mainstay Thom Bell, so they signed as songwriters at Mighty Three Music, a company he co-owned with Gamble & Huff.
They started writing songs for the roster of [l11910] (The O'Jays, MFSB, Teddy Pendergrass etc.)
In early 1978 they were signed to A&M where they released three albums, spawning hits like Livin' It Up (Friday Night), You Never Know What You've Got, Shakedown, Only Make Believe.
After parting ways, both did much session work.

ALBUMS


E.G. Daily / Bell & James
Say It, Say It / Livin' It Up (Friday Night)
1989, 12", A&M Records, ,
Disco/Synth-pop
Bell & James
Love, Call My Name
1981, 7", Mono, Promo, A&M Records
Bell & James / Chas Jankel
Livin' It Up (Friday Night) / Glad To Know You
1981, 7", Single, RE, A&M Records, ,
Rhythm & Blues
Bell & James
In Black & White
1981, ,
Disco/Soul
Bell & James
4 Sucessos
1979, 7", EP, A&M Records
Bell & James
Only Make Believe
1979
Bell & James
Shakedown
1979
The Thom Bell Orchestra Featuring Bell & James
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh / Pisces Theme
1979, ,
Disco
Bell & James
Only Make Believe
1979
Brothers Johnson / Bell & James
Ain't We Funkin' Now / Livin' It Up (Friday Night)
1978, 12", Single, Disco Magic (2), A&M Records
Bell & James
Livin' It Up (Friday Night) / Don't Let The Man Get You
1978, 7", Single, A&M Records
Bell & James
Livin' It Up (Friday Night) / Don't Let The Man Get You
1978
Bell & James
You Never Know What You've Got
1978
Bell & James
Bell & James
1978, ,
Disco/Soul
Bell & James
Livin' It Up (Friday Night) / You Never Know What You've Got
7", RE, A&M Records
Bell & James / Peter Allen
Livin'It Up (Friday Night) / I Go To Rio
Various
A&M 50 - The Anniversary Collection
2012, 3x CD, ,
Arena Rock/Ballad/Bossanova/Country Rock/Folk Rock/Funk/Mariachi/Pop Rock/Post Rock/Reggae-Pop/Rhythm & Blues/Soft Rock/Soul/Southern Rock
Various
'70s Soul - Gold
2006, 2x CD,
Various
The Disco Box
1999, 4x CD, Box Set, ,
Electro/Disco
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Dee Dee Bridgewater
1980, ,
Soul/Disco
Bell & James
In Black & White
2021
Bell & James
Only Make Believe
2019
Bell & James
Bell & James
2013
Bell & James
Livin' It Up (Friday Night)
2004
Lalo Schifrin / Bell & James
Jazz Fever II (Lalo Schifrin)
Cass, Album, Comp, Unofficial, Trio (12)

APPEARANCES +


Thom Bell
Didn't I Blow Your Mind? (The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983)
2024, CD, Comp, Kent Soul, ,
Soul
Jessica Williams
This Time Baby
2023, CD, Single, Altair Records
The Spinners*
Ain’t No Price On Happiness - The Thom Bell Studio Recordings (1972-1979)
2023, Box, Comp + 7xCD, Album, RE, SoulMusic Records, ,
Soul/Disco
Arthur Baker / John Luongo
Dance Masters: John Luongo (The Classic Dance Remixes)
2023, 4x CD Signed Insert, ,
Disco/Synth-pop/Europop
Shane D
Jackie's Groove
2018, File, MP3, 320, Stereo Flava Records
L.T.D.
Something To Love / Togetherness / Devotion / Shine On
2018, 2x CD, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Elton John
Diamonds
2017, 3x CD, Box Set,
John Luongo
Can You Feel The Force? • The John Luongo Disco Mixes
2017, ,
Disco
Various
The Legacy Of Disco
2016
The Notorious B.I.G.*
Born Again
2015, CD, ,
Thug Rap/Hardcore Hip-Hop/Boom Bap/Bounce
Teddy Pendergrass
The Real... Teddy Pendergrass
2014, 3xCD, Comp, Sony Music, Philadelphia International Records
Obsession
Obsessed (We Love Obsession)
2014, 2x CD, ,
Euro-Disco/Euro House
Various
Dance Classics Volume 57 & 58
2013, 2xCD, Comp, Rodeo Media
Various
Philadelphia International Records The 40th Anniversary Box Set
2012, 10xCD, Comp + Box, Harmless, Philadelphia International Records, ,
Disco/Soul/Ballad/Funk
Tom Moulton
Philadelphia International Classics: The Tom Moulton Remixes
2012, 4x CD, Box Set, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Obsession
We Love Elton: The 12" Collection
2011, CDr, CDr, All Media, ,
Trance/Hi NRG/Synth-pop/House/Euro House
Larry Carlton
Plays The Sound Of Philadelphia
2011
Various
Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah (70s New York Disco)
2010, CD, Comp, Harmless, ,
Funk/Disco
Various
The Best Of 1979
2009, CD, Comp, Universal Music Canada, ,
Classic Rock/Soul/Folk Rock
Rhythms Del Mundo
Classics
2009, ,
Afro-Cuban Jazz
Teddy Pendergrass
The Essential Teddy Pendergrass
2007, 2xCD, Comp, RM, Philadelphia International Records, Legacy, ,
Rhythm & Blues
Elton John
Rocket Man · The Definitive Hits
2007, CD Super Jewelcase, ,
Pop Rock
Teddy Pendergrass
The Essential Teddy Pendergrass
2007, ,
Rhythm & Blues
Jason Walker
Flexible
2007, CD, ,
House/Electro/Breaks/Progressive House
Various
Network - The Box Set
2007, 5x CD, Box Set, ,
House/Garage House/Techno/Tech House/Progressive House/Hardcore
Various
House Number Ones
2006, 2xCD, Comp, More Music And Media
Various
Queer As F**k
2006, CD, Comp + CD, Comp, Mixed, Almighty Records, ,
House/Electro/Hi NRG/Euro House/Disco
Alisha King
This Time Baby
2006, CDr, Single, East Side Records
Various
Almighty Ultimate Dance Party. Volume 2
2006, 2x CD, ,
Hi NRG/House/Disco/Euro House/Trance/Synth-pop
DMX
Year Of The Dog... Again
2006, ,
Hardcore Hip-Hop
The O'Jays
Love Train - The Best Of The O'Jays
2005, 2xCD, Comp, Music Club Deluxe, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul/Disco
Jennifer Lopez
Intimate (A Special Compilation)
2005, CD, Comp, Promo, Warnaco Lingerie, ,
Ballad
Joe & Jessey
Pure Hooney (Remixes)
2005
Teddy Pendergrass
Love TKO: The Best Of Teddy Pendergrass
2004
Terror Squad
True Story
2004
Norman Jay
Philadelphia (The Underground Anthems Of Philadelphia Soul 1973-1981)
2004, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Jeff Mills
Azuli Presents Jeff Mills - Choice - A Collection Of Classics
2004, 4x Vinyl, ,
Italo-Disco/Disco/Techno/House
Various
Queer Eye For The Straight Guy Soundtrack
2004, CD, ,
Soundtrack/Progressive House/House/Leftfield/Euro House/Big Beat/Trip Hop/Indie Pop/Indie Rock/Pop Rock/Contemporary R&B
Various
Club Pride 2003
2003, CD, Comp, M6 Interactions
Elton John
Are You Ready For Love
2003
Various
House All Stars Vol. 2
2002, 2xCD, Comp, Mixed, Popular Records, ,
House/Nu-Disco/Progressive House/Trance
Various
Renaissance Ibiza 2001
2001, 3xCD, Mixed, Renaissance, ,
House/Progressive House
Various
Dance Classics Volume 11 & 12
2001, 2xCD, Comp, RM, TMF, Arcade, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Various
Reggae: I Am King (Classics From The Rockers Era)
2001, CD, ,
Reggae/Rocksteady
Agent Sumo
24 Hours
2001, ,
Deep House
Kimiko Kasai
My Favorite Songs Vol. II ~Emotion~
1999, CD, Comp, SME Records,
Teddy Pendergrass
It's Time for Love / This One's for You
1999, 2xCD, Comp, The Right Stuff, Philadelphia International Records, ,
Soul
Imajin
Imajin
1999, CD, ,
Contemporary R&B
MFSB
Gamble & Huff Orchestra And Mysteries Of The World
1998, ,
Disco
Tyrese
Tyrese
1998
Gloria!*
Don't Let This Moment End
1998, CD, ,
House/Tribal House/Latin/Disco/Ballad
Lulu
Independence
1997
Various
Hi-NRG Dance Classics Volume 1
1996, CD, Comp, DCC Compact Classics, Sony Music Special Products, ,
Disco/Synth-pop/Hi NRG
Various
Club Zone 2
1995, ,
House/Garage House/Progressive House/Euro House/Disco
Various
Classic Disco Mastercuts Volume 1
1995, CD, ,
Disco
The Elite Club
This Time Baby
1994
The Blackbyrds
Action / Better Days
1994, CD, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
My Friend Sam / Pandella
Network Retro #6 - Back 2 Back Classics
1993
James Ingram
Always You
1993, CD, ,
Contemporary R&B/Soul/Soft Rock
Tené Williams
Tené Williams
1993, CD, ,
House/Soul/Contemporary R&B
Various
Nonstop Super Club Groovin Exciting Hyper Night Vol.1
1992, CD, Comp, Mixed, Avex Trax, ,
Euro House/Italo House/Italodance/Garage House/Hardcore/Techno
Elton John
The Last Song
1992, CD CD2, ,
Ballad/Disco/Funk
Various
Flash Dance
1992
Elton John
Greatest Hits 1976-1986
1992, CD, ,
Pop Rock
Various
Super Club Groovin Vol. 3
1991, CD, Comp, Avex Trax, ,
House/Techno/Synth-pop/Garage House/Italo House
Pandella
This Time Baby
1991, ,
Garage House
Various
The Adventures Of Ford Fairlane (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1990, CD, ,
Pop Rock/Soul/Funk/Heavy Metal/Blues Rock/Pop Rap/Theme/Soundtrack
Teddy Pendergrass
Truly Blessed
1990, CD, ,
Soul/Rhythm & Blues/Vocal
Elton John
To Be Continued...
1990, 4x CD, Box Set, ,
Blues Rock/Pop Rock
Various
The Disco Years, Vol. 2: On The Beat (1978-1982)
1990
Various
Dance Classics Volume 12
1989, CD, Comp, Arcade, ,
Disco
Elton John
The Complete Thom Bell Sessions
1989
Various
Let's Dance! - The D.J.'s Collection Of Dance Club Classics
1987
Elton John
Greatest Hits Volume III 1979-1987
1987
The O'Jays
Let Me Touch You
1987, ,
Funk/Soul/Rhythm & Blues
Phyllis Hyman
Living All Alone
1986, Vinyl, ,
Soul/Disco
Phyllis Hyman
You Just Don't Know
1986, Vinyl, ,
Soul
Neville Nash
Teaser
1984, LP, Album, Nash, ,
Boogie/Funk/Soul
Various
Drivin' Fusion Sounds 60 = ドライヴィン・フュージョン・サウンズ 60
1984, 4xCD, Comp, Pre, CBS/Sony, ,
Fusion/Jazz-Funk/City Pop/Kayōkyoku/AOR
Various
Dance Mix...Dance Hits Vol. 5
1984, ,
Hi NRG
Kimiko Kasai = 笠井紀美子*
Love Talk = ラヴ・トーク
1984, Vinyl, ,
Boogie/Contemporary R&B/City Pop/Vocal
Teddy Pendergrass
Heaven Only Knows
1983
Various
Chocolate Cream - The Greatest R&B Hits of the 70's
1982, LP, Album, Comp, Columbia, ,
Soul/Funk
Teddy Pendergrass
This One's For You
1982, Vinyl, ,
Soul/Disco
Various
New York City Disco Funk Vol. 9
1981, LP, Comp, Top Tape, Top Tape
The Temptations
The Temptations
1981
The Blackbyrds
Better Days
1980, Vinyl, ,
Soul/Disco
Various
Hot Stuff
1980, ,
Disco
Busta Jones
Just A Little Misunderstanding
1980, ,
Funk/Disco
Various
Disco Club 3
1980
Elton John
Milestones
1980, Vinyl 66, ,
Pop Rock
Jackie Moore / Uropa
This Time Baby / Turn Me Off-Turn Me On
1979, 12", Promo, CBS
Anna Rusticano / Elton John
Tutto È Musica / Are You Ready For Love
1979, 7", Promo, Fontana, The Rocket Record Company, ,
Disco/Pop Rock
Jackie Moore
How's Your Love Life Baby (Special Version) / This Time Baby (Special Disco Version)
1979, 12", Columbia, Columbia
Elton John
Song For Guy / Mama Can't Buy You Love
1979, 7", Single, The Rocket Record Company
Various
Hit Discotheque 5
1979, LP, Comp, Mixed, WEA, ,
Disco
The Realistics
The Year In Music's Greatest Hits (Easy Listening Edition)
1979
Spinners
From Here To Eternally
1979, ,
Disco/Soul
Elton John
The Thom Bell Sessions '77
1979, ,
Disco
Teddy Pendergrass
Teddy
1979
Jackie Moore
I'm On My Way
1979, Vinyl, ,
Soul/Disco
Various
Starflight
1979, ,
Soft Rock/Pop Rock/Disco
Me And You
From Me To You
1979, ,
Reggae
Elton John
Are You Ready For Love (Part 1&2)
1979
Me And You Featuring We The People Band
You Never Know What You've Got
1979, ,
Lovers Rock
Lou Rawls
Let Me Be Good To You
1979, ,
Soul
Teddy Pendergrass
Do Me
1979
Elton John
Mama Can't Buy You Love / Three Way Love Affair
1979
Jackie Moore
This Time Baby
1979, ,
Disco
The Realistics
The Year In Music's Greatest Hits
1979
Teddy Pendergrass
Life Is A Circle
1979, ,
Disco/Soul
Pockets
Take It On Up
1978, Vinyl Santa Maria Pressing, ,
Disco
Maxine Nightingale
Lead Me On
1978, Vinyl Indianapolis Press, ,
Pop Rock/Soul/Disco
Maxine Nightingale
Love Lines
1978, Vinyl, ,
Soul/Disco
MFSB
MFSB, The Gamble-Huff Orchestra
1978, Vinyl, ,
Soul/Disco
The O'Jays
So Full Of Love
1978, ,
Soul
MFSB
Dance With Me Tonight
1978
The O'Jays
Use Ta Be My Girl / This Time Baby
1978
L.T.D.
Togetherness
1978, Vinyl Santa Maria Press, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Disco
Johnny Mathis
Loving You - Losing You
1977
Spinners
Easy Come, Easy Go
1977
Johnny Mathis
Mathis Is...
1977, Vinyl Pitman Press, ,
Vocal/Soft Rock
Spinners
Spinners/8
1977, ,
Soul
Arthur Prysock
Arthur Prysock Does It Again!
1977, Vinyl Pitman Pressing, ,
Soul/Disco
Three Degrees* / Jackie Moore / Angela Clemmons
Dirty Ol' Man / This Time Baby / Give Me Just A Little More Time
12", Unidisc
Jackie Moore / Ruth Waters
This Time Baby / Never Gonna Be The Same
7", Tonia Records
Various
Supersoul
Cass, Comp, CBS, ,
Soul/Jazz-Funk/Disco
Three Degrees* / Jackie Moore / Angela Clemmons
Dirty Ol' Man / This Time Baby / Give Me Just A Little More Time
12", Unidisc, ,
Disco
The O'Jays
Reflections In Gold (1973 -1982)
,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Various
Untitled
2024, ,
Disco
Various
Weekender Vol. 1 EP
2022, 12", Ltd, pur, Weekender (3)
Various
Weekender Vol. 1 EP
2022, 12", Ltd, Pin, Weekender (3)
Ben Liebrand
Grand 12-Inches 19
2022, 4xCD, Comp, Sony Music, ,
Disco/Funk/Dance-pop
Mr.Beats a.k.a. DJ Celory
The Notorious B.I.G. Mix Vol. 2
2017
Various
Funky Sensation 3
2012, 2xCD, Comp, Jazz FM Records, ,
Jazz-Funk/Soul/Disco
Various
Disco Nights
2009, CD, Comp, Micro Werks, K-Tel,
Various
Surfer Soul Around 1980
2008, CD, Comp, Universal Music,
Various
Uptown Saturday Night - Classic R&B Jams
2008, 9xCD, Comp, Time Life
Various
A&M History 100
2007, 5xCD, Comp, RM + Box, A&M Records
Various
Uptown Saturday Night - Dancing Machine
2007, 2xCD, Comp, Time Life, ,
Contemporary R&B/Disco
Various
Uptown Saturday Night - Classic R&B Jams
2007, 10xCD, Comp, Time Life,
Walter Wallace
Polydor Classic Tunes Volume One
2003
Various
Ultimate Disco Classics (Volume One)
2002, 3xCD, Comp, Realm Records, Realm Records
Various
Soul Train The Dance Years: 1979
2000, CD, ,
Funk/Soul
Various
The Disco Box Sampler
1999, CD, Comp, Promo, Rhino Records (2)
Various
Seventies Disco Ball
1998, 2xCD, Comp + Box, Rhino Records (2)
Various
Solid Gold Soul 1979
1997, CD, Comp, Time Life Music, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Various
Starflight Vol. 1
1997, CD, Comp, K-Tel,
Various
Disco Fever (A Collection Of Dance Floor Classics)
1997, CD, Comp, St Michael, Marks & Spencer
Various
The Disco Years (The Best Disco In Town) Volume Seven
1995, ,
Disco
Various
D.J. Pix (Disco Nights Volume 7)
1995
Various
Soul Hits Of The '70s - Didn't It Blow Your Mind, Vol. 20
1995, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Various
Hot Classics Twelve
1994, ,
Disco
Various
Sounds Of The Seventies 1979: Take Two
1991
Various
Christmas In The Northwest Vol 1
1985
Various
Everybody Get Up
1982, LP, Comp, Music For Pleasure
Various
Urban Black '82
1982, LP, Promo, Smplr, Alfa
Various
Super Chart 2
1982, Cass, Comp, Creativ, ,
Soul/Funk
Various
Fio
1981, 12", Mixed, Not On Label, ,
New Wave/Funk/Disco
Various
Foreplay # 44: A&M's Pre-Release Sampler
1981, LP, Advance, Promo, Smplr, A&M Records,
Various
A&M Golden Eggs
1981
Various
Boneribian 1
1980, 12", Ltd, Mixed, Not On Label, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Various
Roller Disco Club
1980, LP, Comp, EMI, ,
Funk/Disco
Various
International Classics Volume 3 (A Selection Of A&M's Greatest Duo Performances)
1980
Various
Hot Power Hits
1979, LP, Comp, A&M Records,
Various
Foreplay #26
1979, 12", S/Sided, Promo, Smplr, A&M Records
Various
A&M Now On Chart
1979, LP, Comp, Promo, A&M Records,
Various
Foreplay #24: "With Our Special Host Les McCann"
1979, LP, S/Sided, Promo, Smplr, A&M Records
Casey Kasem
American Top 40 (Week Of 4/21/79)
1979, 4xLP, Transcription, Watermark, ,
Public Broadcast
Various
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1979, ,
Disco/Soundtrack
Various
Disco Nights Vol II
1978, LP, Comp, EMI
Various
4 Sucessos A&M
1978, 7", EP, Comp, A&M Records
Various
Foreplay #12: A&M's Pre-Release Sampler
1978, 12", Promo, Smplr, A&M Records
Various
R&B Hit Kit #4
1978, LP, Promo, Smplr, A&M Records
Various
Experiencias Para Vivir Libre
1978, 12", Comp, A&M Records
Various
Beat Parade Rádio Difusora 960Khz
LP, Comp, Epic
Various
KLTD FM99MHz Urban Black Station
LP, Comp, Promo, A&M Records
Various
Rock ▪ 75
8-Trk, Comp, Buccaneer Productions Inc.
Larry Carlton
Plays The Sound Of Philadelphia (A Tribute To Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff)
2010
Bell & James / Common Sense
Livin' It Up / Voices Inside My Head
2003, 12", Unofficial, Ballroom Records
Various, The Latin Rascals, Julio Mazzei, Tuta Aquino
(Orig.) Big Apple Production Vol. II
1984, Vinyl, ,
Cut-up/DJ/Hi NRG/Disco
Various
Bandit
1981, 12", Mixed, Unofficial, Manhattan, ,
Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Funk
Various
A&M Golden Eggs
1981
Johnny Mathis
Mathis Is...
CD, ,
Vocal
Elton John
The Thom Bell Sessions
,
Disco