Pleasure

by Ohio Players

Overview

When the Ohio Players recorded their second Westbound album, Pleasure, in 1972, they weren't as big as they would be from 1974-1976. But their popularity was growing -- slowly but surely -- and those who were hip to the band recognized them as one of the most cutting-edge acts in the funk field. A lot of bands were providing funk in 1972, but not many of them used jazz progressions as creatively as the Players use them on "Laid It," "Walked Away from You," and Pleasure's title song. Those tracks are gems, and the Players are equally captivating on the sweet soul ballad "Varee Is Love." But the best known tune on the album is the goofy "Funky Worm," which employed the Players' amusing Granny character and was, in 1972, their biggest hit to date. Long after the band's popularity faded, "Funky Worm" would live on in the 1980s and 1990s thanks to the various hip-hoppers who sampled its irresistible bassline. Like Pain in 1971, Pleasure had a kinky cover that generated some controversy -- the same bald woman who brandished a bullwhip and wore dominatrix attire on the front cover of Pain was chained up on the cover of Pleasure. Some folks found the Players' kinky LP covers intriguing, while others were shocked and offended. And the Players, having struggled in the 1960s, were happy to be noticed. But ultimately, it is the quality of the music -- not the bondage-minded cover -- that makes Pleasure a funk classic. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	10/06/2023
Label:	Org Music
UPC:	0711574937615
Rank:	26653

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ohio Players   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner   Composer
Junie Morrison   Composer
Marshall "Rock" Jones   Composer
Ralph Middlebrooks   Composer
Ohio Players   Composer
Marvin Pierce   Composer
Andrew Noland   Composer
Gregory Webster   Composer
Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks   Composer
Marshall Jones   Composer
Leroy Bonner   Composer