Ozone - Jump On It

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Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of Ozone’s 2nd Studio Album “Jump On It” Originally Released on December 1, 1981.

 

“Jump On It” is the second studio album by Nashville, Tennessee R&B funk band Ozone released in 1981 on Motown Records.

 

Upon its release the album failed to reach the Billboard charts.

 

Three singles were released from this album, the title track “Jump On It”, Mighty-Mighty and “Rock And Roll, Pop And Soul”.

 

All three singles had little to no success on the Billboard charts.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Jump On It

2. Come On In

3. Your Love Stays On My Mind

4. Ozonic Bee Bop

5. Mighty-Mighty

6. Rock And Roll, Pop And Soul

7. Love Zone

8. My Fantasy

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

Ohio Players - Pleasure

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Today Marks The 53rd Anniversary of The Ohio Players’ 3rd Studio Album “Pleasure” Originally Released on December 1, 1972.

 

“Pleasure” is the third studio album by Dayton, Ohio funk band Ohio Players and the second released through the Westbound Records in 1972.

 

The album peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs and at #63 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

 

Three songs were released as singles the album’s title track "Pleasure", "Varee Is Love" and "Funky Worm".

 

"Pleasure" reached #45 on the U.S. Billboard Soul Singles chart.

 

"Varee Is Love" the album’s second single failed to reach the U.S. Billboard charts.

 

"Funky Worm" was the third and most successful single released from the album it peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart and at #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

“Pleasure” is the second album to feature African-American dancer and model Patricia "Pat" Evans on its cover.

 

The album was produced by the band, and engineered by Arlen Smith. The cover photo was taken by Joel Brodsky.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Pleasure

2. Laid It

3. Pride and Vanity

4. Walt's First Trip

5. Varee Is Love

6. Walked Away from You

7. Paint Me

8. Funky Worm

9. Our Love Has Died

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

O’Bryan - Surrender

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Today Marks The 39th Anniversary of O'Bryan’s 4th Studio Album “Surrender” Originally Released on December 1, 1986.

 

“Surrender” is the fourth and final Capitol Records studio album by R&B/Funk singer O'Bryan released in 1986.

 

The album reached #66 on the U.S. Billboard Top Black Albums chart.

 

Two songs were released as singles from the album "Tenderoni" and "Driving Force".

 

"Tenderoni" reached #35 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

"Driving Force" reached #60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

The album "Surrender" was released two years after the release of O'Bryan's highest charting album, "Be My Lover” because of lengthy negotiations with the label Capitol Records.

 

O'Bryan would not record another album until the 2007 release of "F1RST" under his own imprint, Headstorm Records.

 

The album was produced by Don Cornelius and Wayne Edwards.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Tenderoni

2. You Have Got To Come To Me

3. Driving Force

4. Maria

5. What Goes Around

6. Is This For Real

7. Dreaming About You

8. Surrender

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Michael Cooper - Love Is Such a Funny Game

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Today Marks The 38th Anniversary of Michael Cooper’s Debut Studio Album “Love Is Such a Funny Game “ Originally Released on December 1, 1987.

 

“Love Is Such a Funny Game” is the debut solo studio album by Con Funk Shun’s band leader Michael Cooper released in 1987 on Warner Bros. Records.

 

Upon it's release the album failed to chart on the U.S. Billboard or the United Kingdom’s UK Albums charts.

 

Three songs were released as singles from the album, “To Prove My Love”, “Dinner for Two”, and “Quickness”.

 

“To Prove My Love” peaked at #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

“Dinner for Two” reached #24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

“Quickness” reached #67 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

The album includes a cover of the Carole King classic "You've Got a Friend," which one critic felt was a "goofy" addition that should have been omitted, though it featured on the track list.

 

Other notable tracks are the album's title track,”Love Is Such a Funny Game”, "No Other Lover," and "Quickness" are also mentioned as album highlights.

 

The album is noted for its distinct late 80s "industrial funk" sound, which some critics describe as having a Cameo-like vibe, especially on tracks like "To Prove My Love" and "Quickness".

 

The album also retains elements of the grooves that made Con Funk Shun a popular funk band to be reckoned with.

 

Tracklisting

 

1. To Prove My Love

2. You've Got A Friend

3. Dinner For Two

4. Just Thinkin' Bout Cha

5. No Other Lover

6. Oceans Wide

7. Love Is Such A Funny Game

8. Quickness

9. Look Before You Leave

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

James Brown - Reality

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Today Marks The 51st Anniversary of James Brown’s 39th Studio Album “Reality” Originally Released on December 1, 1974.

 

“Reality” is the 39th studio album by American musician James Brown. The album was released in 1974, by Polydor Records.

 

The album reached #11 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's charts, and at #56 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes charts.

 

Two songs were released as singles from the album "Funky President (People It's Bad)" and the album's title track "Reality".

 

"Funky President (People It's Bad)" peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, and at #44 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

"Reality" reached #19 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, and at #80 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

“Reality” was listed as the 46th best album of 1974 by Rolling Stone Magazine.

 

The album was produced and arranged by James Brown.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. Reality

2. Funky President (People It's Bad)

3. Further On Up the Road

4. Check Your Body

5. Don't Fence Me In

6. All for One

7. I'm Broken Hearted

8. The Twist

9. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©