Ohio Players 1974
Introduction
On April 23, 1974, the Ohio Players released their first album on the Mercury record label. Skin Tight was the start of their ‘platinum’ trilogy.
Ohio Players – Pain, Pleasure & Ecstasy
Ohio Players
The Ohio Players were founded in 1965 in Dayton, Ohio. The musical idea was “R&B with a little flair to it”. The term ‘Players’ could both be translated to a group of musicians as to a collection of ladies’ men.
After their debut on Capitol in 1968, the band signed with Westbound, the label that also housed George Clinton. Early 1972 the album Pain was released. A big musical step forward, the band experimented with funk, soul, blues, rock and jazz. The band also introduced a trademark image element. Erotic albums covers, which were downright shocking at the time.
That same year Pleasure was released, which contained their biggest hit to date, Funky Worm. After the somewhat disappointing Ecstasy the band left Westbound and signed with record company Mercury. The first three albums for their new label would bring the band huge successes: the ‘platinum’ trilogy, consisting of Skin Tight, Fire and Honey, 3 albums that would be released over a period of just 16 months.
Ohio Players – Skin Tight
Skin Tight
On April 23, 1974, the Ohio Players released their first album on the Mercury label: Skin Tight. The sound was a bit more polished, but still unpredictable and risky. But above all, it was funkier. The title song turned into a huge hit.
At the time funk had become big business. The 1970s are still considered the heyday of the funk. Bands like Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, Sly And The Family Stone, Kool & The Gang, The Gap Band, The Brothers Johnson, The Commodores, The Meters and of course the George Clinton vehicles Parliament and Funkadelic all made a name for themselves with their music, extravagant concerts, but primarily for their irresistibly danceable music. The Ohio Players fit perfectly into that scene.
The album was a huge success, audiences flocked to their shows and both singles were hits. It signaled the start of a two year period where everything the Ohio Players touched changed into gold and even platinum.
Review
The first of three Ohio Players albums I own in my collection, is Skin Tight, a ridiculously funky album, filled with great musicianship. The combination of funk, jazz and bluesy grooves is addictive. As its two succeeding albums, Skin Tight doesn’t contain one bad/lesser song. For me, Skin Tight possesses the biggest Sly And The Family Stone vibe of the ‘platinum’ trilogy.
Ohio Players – Skin Tight – Singles
Singles
Two singles were released from the album in 1974.
- Skin Tight
- Jive Turkey part 1
Songs
All songs written by the Ohio Players.
- Skin Tight
- Streakin’ Cheek To Cheek
- It’s Your Night/Words Of Love
- Jive Turkey
- Heaven Must Be Like This
- Is Anybody Gonna Be Saved?
Musicians
- Billy Beck – piano, organ, clavinet, ARP, percussion, vocals
- Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner – guitar, percussion, vocals
- Marshall “Rock” Jones – bass
- Ralph “Pee Wee” Middlebrooks – trumpet, trombone, background vocals
- Marvin “Merv” Pierce – trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, background vocals
- Clarence “Satch” Satchell – saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals
- James “Diamond” Williams – drums, chimes, percussion, vocals
Ohio Players – Fire & Honey
After Skin Tight
As stated before, Skin Tight was the first album in the so-called ‘platinum’ trilogy. In November 1974 Fire followed, of which the title song was a huge hit. In August 1975 Honey followed, containing the big hit Love Rollercoaster.
Contradiction (1976) was slightly less successful, but starting with Angel (1977) the following albums Mr. Mean (1977) and Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee (1978) became ever less successful. The rise of disco was a contributing factor, for sure, but the Ohio Players’ golden compositional era was also coming to an end. After leaving Mercury the band made 5 more albums, With ever declining success: Everybody Up (1979), Tenderness (1981), Ouch! (1981), Graduation (1984) and Back (1988).
The Ohio Players would never record new music again, but didn’t stop touring well into the 21st century, even though the original line-up was hardly represented anymore. In August 2013 the Ohio Players were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
In closing
What’s your take on the Ohio Players and Skin Tight in particular? Let me know!
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: Ohio Players and the start of the platinum trilogy: Skin Tight. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
