Randy Cain, R.I.P.

Tonight is Quentin Tarantino Night on American Idol, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the passing of Delfonics founder Randy Cain (left), considering the Delfonics figured so heavily into the most charming scenes of QT’s Jackie Brown. The Delfonics were one of the first Philadelphia soul bands, and the perfect harmonies and dramatic arrangements—courtesy of super-genius instrumentalist Thom Bell—were indicative of the Philadelphia sound to come, if a little lower budget.

The Delfonics’ first five records or so (all Bell-produced) are pretty impeccable, and yielded Top Ten hits like “La-La Means I Love You” and “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”, as well as many other R&B hits. Like a lot of classic soul acts, their legacy lived on through sampling of their work, in addition to the support of Mr. Tarantino.

“La-La Means I Love You”: The importance of this song can’t be understated. It was an early codification and legitimization of the Philly sound, and it would establish Thom Bell as a super-producer and architect of a city’s sound.

“Ready Or Not Here I Come(Cant Hide From Love)”: You might remember this one from Missy Elllot’s “Sock It 2 Me” and The Fugees’ “Ready Or Not.”

“I’m Sorry”: This has a solid, emphatic beat.

Cain left the Delfonics in 1971, moving on to help form Blue Magic (though he didn’t play on their fabulous song “Sideshow”) He returned to the Delfonics in 1999.

He was 63.

Randy Cain, 63, one of Delfonics founders [Philly.com]