The Epsilons’ “The Echo”
Single released December 1968

We Philly guys like to think we know a little bit about soul music, too. After discovering the Stax connections to other cities such as Detroit, Nashville and Los Angeles, I began to wonder if Stax could somehow be connected to Philadelphia, too. I found the Philly sound on The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles Volume 2, with “The Echo” by the vocal quintet The Epsilons.

The Epsilons came to Stax through Otis Redding. The group admired him so much they sang backstage for him when he performed in Philadelphia; Redding reciprocated, bringing them on tour as his support vocalists for more than a year. Through Redding, “The Echo” was purchased, not recorded, by Stax, and released as a single. The version of the Epsilons that recorded “The Echo” (most likely in Philadelphia) was Allen Beatty, James Knight, Lloyd Parks, Gene McFadden and John Whitehead.

“The Echo” was one of three singles Stax released in December ‘68. Even though its lead vocal is raw southern soul, folks lucky enough to grow up around Philadelphia can recognize its instrumental and vocal arrangements as the sound of Philadelphia - more specifically, the sound of vocal soul ensembles such as The Delfonics.

Stax showed little interest in the band after the single failed to chart, and The Epsilons made their way back home. Parks eventually became a member of another Philly soul vocal group, backing up Harold Melvin in the Blue Notes. McFadden and Whitehead paired up and began writing for the “Philly International sound” that congealed around producers Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble and Philadelphia International Records. McFadden and Whitehead wrote “Back Stabbers” for The O’Jays and eventually topped the charts with their own single, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” (#13 pop, #1 R&B).

The Epsilons also provided the (uncredited) support vocals on “Sweet Soul Music,” Arthur Conley’s 1967 smash hit (which, to bring everything full circle, Conley co-wrote with Redding).

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