Ohio Players - Skin Tight

Today Marks The 51st Anniversary of The Ohio Players’ 5th Studio Album “Skin Tight” Originally Released April 1, 1974.

Skin Tight is the fifth studio album by the Ohio Players, released in April 1974. It is their first album released through the Mercury Records label, and considered to be their commercial breakthrough album.

The album peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs and at #11 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

The album released two singles “Jive Turkey “ and the title track “Skin Tight”.

“Jive Turkey” peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Skin Tight” peaked at #2 the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Skin Tight” signified a turning point in the group's career towards a more jazzy and polished funk sound.

The album began the Players' dominant platinum-selling period, and would bring them a much bigger audience. In fact, this release would outsell all of their previous LPs combined.

Track-listing

All tracks are written by James Williams, Billy Beck, Clarence Satchell, Leroy Bonner, Marshall Jones, Ralph Middlebrooks, Marvin Pierce

1. "Skin Tight"

2. "Streakin' Cheek to Cheek"

3. "It's Your Night/Words of Love"

4. "Jive Turkey"

5. "Heaven Must Be Like This"

6. "Is Anybody Gonna Be Saved?"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

New Birth - Blind Baby

Today Marks The 50th Anniversary of New Birth’s 7th Studio Album “Blind Baby” Originally Released on April 1, 1975.

“Blind Baby        “ is the seventh studio album by Detroit, Michigan funk and R&B band New Birth released in 1975 on Buddah Records.

The album reached #17 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's chart, and at #57 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart.

Two songs were released as singles from the album, "Dream Merchant" and

"Dream Merchant" peaked #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, and at #36 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"Grandaddy (Part I)" reached #28 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, and at #95 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Blind Baby” was the only album released via Buddah Records, the band signed with Warner Bros. Records the following year.

Track-listing

1. Blind Baby

2. Dream Merchant

3. Forever

4. Granddaddy

6. I Remember Well

7. Blind Man

8. Why Did I

9. Epilogue

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology

Mandrill - Mandrill Is

Today Marks The 53rd Anniversary of Mandrill’s 2nd Studio Album “Mandrill Is” Originally Released on April 1, 1972.

“Mandrill Is” is the second studio album by Brooklyn-based soul/funk band Mandrill released in 1972 on Polydor Records.

The album reached #24 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and at #56 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Albums chart.

The song "Git It All "was released as the album’s single it reached #37 on the U.S. Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart.

Track-listing

1. Ape Is High

2. Cohello

3. Git It All

4. Children of the Sun

5. I Refuse To Smile

6. Universal Rhythms

7. Lord of the Golden Baboon

8. Central Park

9. Kofijahm

10. Here Today Gone Tomorrow

11. The Sun Must Go Down

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

Mandrill - Mandrill

Today Marks The 54th Anniversary of Mandrill’s Self-titled Debut Album “Mandrill “ Originally Released April 1, 1971.

“Mandrill” is the debut album by the Brooklyn, New York-based funk band Mandrill, released in 1971 on Polydor Records.

The album reached #27 on the Billboard R&B albums chart and #48 on Billboard’s Pop Albums chart.

The self-titled single "Mandrill" reached #94 on the Billboard US Pop charts.

Track-listing

1. "Mandrill"

2. "Warning Blues"

3. "Symphonic Revolution"

4. "Rollin' On"

5. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement I (Birth)"

6. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement II (Now)"

7. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement III (Time)"

8. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement IV (Encounter)

9. "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) Movement V (Beginning)

10. "Chutney"

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

James Brown - Sho is Funky Down Here

Today Marks The 54th Anniversary of James Brown’s 31st Studio Album “Sho Is Funky Down Here” Originally Released April 1, 1971.

Sho Is Funky Down Here is the 31st studio album by American Soul, Funk musician James Brown, released in 1971 on King Records.

The album peaked at #26 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and #137 on The Billboard 200 in 1971.

The album is an entirely instrumental album, it's full of heavy fuzzed-out guitars in a jazzy psychedelic rock style, resembling the first records by Funkadelic.

Track-listing

All tracks composed by James Brown and David Matthews

1. "Sho Is Funky Down Here"

2. "Don’t Mind"

3. "Bob Scoward

4. "Just Enough Room For Storage"

5. "You Mother You"

6. "Can Mind"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology

Graham Central Station – Now Do U Wanta Dance

Today Marks The 48th Anniversary of Graham Central Station’s 5th Studio Album “Now Do U Wanta Dance” Originally Released on April 1, 1977.

The album peaked at #12 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and at #67 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

The album released the hit single and album’s title track “Now Do-U-Wanta Dance"

The song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs charts.

Track-listing

All songs written by Larry Graham except where indicated.

1. "Happ-E-2-C-U-A-Ginn"

2. "Now Do-U-Wanta Dance"

3. "Last Train"

4. "Love and Happiness" (Al Green, Mabon Hodges)

5. "Earthquake"

6. "Crazy Chicken"

7. "Stomped Beat-Up and Whooped"

8. "Lead Me On" (Deadric Malone)

9. "Saving My Love For You"

10. "Have Faith in Me"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

Switch - Switch II

Today Marks The 45th Anniversary of Switch’s Sophomore Album “Switch II” Originally Released April 1, 1979.

“Switch II” is the second album by the R&B, Funk group Switch, released in 1979 on Gordy Records.

The album peaked at #8 on the Billboard US Top R&B Albums chart and at #37 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Two singles were released from the album “Best Beat In Town" and "I Call Your Name".

“Best Beat In Town" peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, #65 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"I Call Your Name" peaked #8 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and at #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"I Call Your Name" became one of the band's biggest and most often-sampled hits,

The album was produced by Jermaine Jackson, Bobby DeBarge and Gregory Williams.

Track listing

1. "You're the One For Me"

2. "Next To You"

3. "Best Beat In Town”

4. "Calling On All Girls"

5. "Go On Doin' What You Feel"

6. "Fallin'"

7. "I Call Your Name"

 

By Romie Rome For Musique Funkology