Phil Hurtt

Phillip Levi Hurtt (born April 12th, 1942) is an American songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, singer, and pianist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He began his musical career at age 12, performing with his brother Al and cousin Sarah Williams in Harlem. By age 15, Hurtt signed with King Records and released his debut single, "Frankenstein's Party." Following a period of military service in the United States Air Force, he returned to Philadelphia to establish a career as a songwriter. In the early 1970s, he became a member of the Young Professionals, a collective of writers and producers central to the Philadelphia R&B and soul movement.

In 1972, Hurtt joined Atlantic Records as a staff writer and producer. During this period, he co-wrote "I’ll Be Around" with Thom Bell, which became a significant success for the Detroit Spinners in 1973 and later for Terri Wells in the United Kingdom. Known by the moniker "PH Factor," Hurtt developed professional associations with Leroy Lovett and the production duo Gamble and Huff. His contributions to the industry included writing for the Persuaders and Jackie Moore, as well as facilitating the signing of Sister Sledge to the Atlantic imprint. He also collaborated with Richie Rome on projects for artists such as the Chi-Lites, Vivian Reed, Diane Steinberg, the Village People, and the Checkmates.

Throughout the mid-1970s, Hurtt worked frequently with Bunny Sigler, co-producing Jackie Moore's 1973 album Sweet Charlie Babe and the first two singles for Sister Sledge, "The Weathermen" and "Mama Never Told Me." In 1978, he signed as a recording artist with Fantasy Records, releasing the soul-dance single "Giving It Back," which reached the Top 40 in the United Kingdom. He further contributed to the Hi Gloss album on the Prelude label, serving as a co-writer for the entire tracklist.

Hurtt remains active in the music industry through his publishing ventures, Lu-Cor Music Co. and The MO Amper Sounds Publishing. These entities manage his extensive catalogue and facilitate current licensing opportunities for film, television, and contemporary sampling. His current projects for 2026 include overseeing archival releases of his early Philadelphia soul productions and participating in new production sessions scheduled for the upcoming year.