Drummer/guitarist Leroy Bell met guitarist/bassist/keyboardist Casey James while both were members of Philadelphia band Special Blend. After the band disbanded, the two began a songwriting partnership. Bell's uncle was Philly soul mainstay Thom Bell, a key player at Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records. He signed the duo to a music publishing contract with Mighty Three Music, a company he co-owned with Gamble & Huff.

Read more about Bell & James on Last.fm.