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Four decades after Kenneth Gamble teamed with Leon Huff to create the melodically unparalleled Philly soul, also known as the Philadelphia Sound, another duo is hoping to give the nation a sample of the young century’s next stars.
On Oct. 11, Joann Mattei, one of four owners of Fifth Stone Music School, 2829 S. 18th St., and her spouse Mariano Mattei opened Philly Sound Studios, a venue that figures to make their 6-year-old musical venture a leading location for performing and recording.
For the husband-and-wife pair from the 1900 block of Shunk Street, the facility continues the transformation of its building from a spot for praising the Lord to one for playing a chord. The studio rests on the second floor of the former Berean Christian Assembly. Joann Mattei, who plays piano recreationally, and Mariano Mattei, a singer and guitarist for his band Real, began renovations in 2003, and opened the school a year later.
“I became involved primarily because of my love of music. Running the school is also something that keeps me connected to children,” Joann Mattei, the mother of three of her own tykes, said Monday in the studio’s control room.
Deep family bonds helped the former computer programmer to name the school.
“This is a stone building, so that part was easy,” she said of the 90-year-old structure. “Fifths (musical intervals for chord formation) are so important in music and because we had five in my family when I was growing up, I wanted to tie music and my family together.”
“And the name wasn’t taken,” her husband, who serves as co-manager for the studio, said jokingly.
His dream project had been in the making for a year. He and Drew Raison, a producer with Springfield-based Big Sky Audio and Philly Sound’s other head, set out to make the area a haven for recording artists.
Last December, while still in its early stages, the studio began to give them a new outlet for their endeavors. Mariano Mattei and Raison snared their first major performers when Jason Castro, a season-seven contestant on “American Idol,” and Kris Allen, the winner of the season-eight competition, played sets Dec. 13. All Time Low, a Maryland punk band whose album “Nothing Personal” debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in July ’09; a 35-voice group performing glee-club-style music; and a 50-member gospel choir, among others, have followed.
“Eighty percent of our focus is acquiring the live performance,” Raison said. “The rest centers on mixing at Big Sky.”
The two have crafted the space in phases. The first involved the removal of pews and an altar from what is now the performance and recording area. The room measures 50-by-30-by-25 feet and includes a hardwood floor and a cedar ceiling. Amplifiers line the walls, and a 1937 Mehlin and Sons grand piano joins a drum kit and numerous guitars on stage.
“These days, people have to depend so much on the caliber of electronics to produce good music. This studio’s greatest strength is the quality of its acoustics,” Raison said.
Those acoustics thrive because of the second phase of his work with the vocalist/guitarist. That period comprised furbishing the control room with a mixture of vintage equipment and new gadgets.
“Our studio will let people record in full analog, full digital or a combination,” Mariano Mattei said. “We have one more phase that will involve some minor alterations to the control room, but we are fully operational.”
Raison and Mariano Mattei hope to make Philly Sound Studios’ primary focus the production of full-length CDs.
“I’ve recorded here many, many times, and I love the sound,” Mattei said. “All the big studios have gone, so not only will we be the biggest, we also will be the best.”
Those looking to record can bring their own instruments or use some of the studio’s ample implements. All sessions are by appointment, and Mariano Mattei and Raison are transparent about the duration of a recording.
“If people need us all night, we’ll be there,” Mariano Mattei said, adding that prices for sessions depend on one’s project.
While he and Raison tend to the second floor, Joann Mattei manages the first, which used to contain a basketball court. The school employs 11 instructors, including vocal teacher Jodi Letizia, who appeared as a chum to Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky,” and violist Sarah Pisano, whose band Turning Violet Violet has nabbed critical acclaim.
With 11 rooms for lessons, 125 private students and 50 learners in group classes, Joann Mattei never lacks for reminders of the power of music. Pupils can take musical theatre lessons, create and record cover songs or original material or join one of three age-based art classes.
Minute Monets helps 2 to 3 year olds, Mini da Vincis aids 4 to 6 year olds and Master Michelangelos assist 7 to 12 year olds. Vocal classes and piano instruction pull in the most students, but lessons in clarinet, drums, flute, guitar, saxophone and violin also attract good numbers.
Babies, toddlers and preschoolers can gain an introduction of the benefits of music through the Makin’ Music Rockin’ Rhythms classes, which Joann Mattei considers her favorite.
“I love having the babies. The classes enhance their cognitive abilities,” she said.
“Music foundations should start in the beginning years of life. The earlier, the better,” Raison added.
American Sign Language (ASL) and Music classes have recently become parts of Fifth Stone’s offerings. Children and adults can learn how to sign through two eight-week semesters or through the Sing through Song classes that teach ASL through music.
“I had wanted to have ASL for a couple years,” Joann Mattei said. “We have three recitals per year, so we’re looking to incorporate ASL into them.”
The Matteis and Raison see the school and its studio as a means for developing a lifelong love of lilting notes. The upstairs accommodates 150 sitting patrons and 200 standing revelers.
“Aside from what else people can do here, we would like to make this a one-stop shop for their musical needs,” Mariano Mattei said. “We’re only 10 minutes from the (Philadelphia International) Airport. We want to be the premier place for taking lessons, performing and recording.” SPR
For more information, visit www.fifthstonemusic.com.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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