The Ohio Players - Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee

Today Marks The 46th Anniversary of The Ohio Players’ 11th Studio Album “Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee” Originally Released on July 24, 1978.

“Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee” is the eleventh studio album by the Ohio Players released in 1978 by Mercury Records.

The album peaked at #15 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs chart and at #69 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

Two songs were released from the album as singles "Funk-O-Nots" and "Time Slips Away".

"Funk-O-Nots" reached #27 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and at #105 just beneath the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"Time Slips Away" reached #53 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

The album “Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee” is the 8th and last album they would record for Mercury Records.

The album’s title is a unique spelling of the term "jazzy lady." Unlike their last two efforts, the group remained with the nine-man roster that they had with their previous album Mr. Mean.

The group returned to the soul and funk that had been a big part of their sound, since the mellower, jazzier sounds of Mr. Mean (a soundtrack for a film directed by and starring Fred Williamson) failed to move fans and critics. Low sales of the Mr. Mean album would also lead to lower-than-expected sales for their album Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee.

Track-listing

1. Funk-O-Nots

2. Sleepwalkin'

3. Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee

4. Nott Enuff

5. Time Slips Away/Shoot Yer Shot

6. Dance (If Ya Wanta)

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Giant

Today Marks The 46th Anniversary of Johnny "Guitar" Watson’s 9th Studio Album “Giant” Originally Released on July 24, 1978.

“Giant” is a funk album by the American funk musician Johnny "Guitar" Watson released in 1978 by DJM Records.

The song “Gangster of Love” was released as a single from the album, The song reached #32 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

Track-listing

1. Miss Frisco (Queen Of The Disco)

2. Tu Jours Amour

3. Gangster Of Love

4. Guitar Disco

5. Wrapped In Black Mink

6. You Can Stay But The Noise Must Go

7. Baby Face (She Said Do Do Do Do)

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

The S.O.S. Band - Too

Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of The S.O.S. Band’s Sophomore Studio Album “Too” Originally Released on July 23, 1981.

“Too” is the second album by the R&B, Funk band The S.O.S. Band, released in 1981 on Tabu Records.

The album reached #30 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs chart and at #117 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

Two songs were released as singles in 1981, "Do It Now (Part 1)" and “You”.

"Do It Now (Part 1)" reached #15 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

“You” reached #64 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

The album was produced by Sigidi Abdullah.

The album was digitally remastered and reissued on CD with bonus tracks in 2013 by Demon Music Group.

Track-listing

1. It's a Long Way to the Top

2. Do It Now

3. There Is No Limit

4. You

5. Stay

6. Are You Ready?

7. Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

8. For the Brothers That Ain't Here

9. Unborn Child

10. Do It Now" (Long Version)

11. Do It Now" (Part 1)

12. Do It Now" (Part 1 - Short Version)

13. Do It Now" (Part 1)

14. You (Long Version)

15. There Is No Limit (Long Version)

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

Maze - Joy and Pain

Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of Maze’s 4th Studio Album “Joy and Pain” Originally Released on July 18, 1980.

“Joy and Pain” is the fourth album by Bay Area-based R&B group Maze, released on July 18, 1980, on Capitol Records.

The album peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Albums chart and at #31 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart.

Three songs were released as singles "Southern Girl,” "The Look in Your Eyes” and the album’s title track “Joy and Pain”.

"Southern Girl" peaked at #9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

"The Look in Your Eyes” reached #29 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

“Joy and Pain” was the third single from the album although it modest airplay on unban radio stations it failed to reach the Billboard charts.

“Joy and Pain” has been covered and sampled numerous times. Donna Allen took her cover to #3 Billboard Hot Black Singles and Top 10 in the UK in 1989, and Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock borrowed the songs chorus for their single of the same name in 1988 which went Top 10 on Billboard's Dance and Rap charts.

The original Maze version was itself re-released in 1989 in the UK, becoming a minor hit there.

The album was certified in the United States gold by the RIAA.

Track-listing

1. Changin' Times

2. The Look In Your Eyes

3. Family

4. Roots

5. Joy And Pain

6. Southern Girl

7. Happiness

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology

 

Rufus - Rufus

Today Marks The 51st Anniversary of Rufus’ Debut Self-Titled Album “Rufus” Originally Released on July 18, 1973.

“Rufus” is the debut album by American R&B and funk band Rufus, released in 1973 on the ABC Records.

The album reached #44 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs chart and at #175 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

Three songs were released as singles from their debut album "Slip 'n Slide", "Whoever's Thrilling You (Is Killing Me)" and "Feel Good".

"Slip 'n Slide" reached #101 just beneath the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"Whoever's Thrilling You (Is Killing Me)" reached #40 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

"Feel Good" reached #45 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

The album is notable for an upbeat rock/soul sound that would be replaced by a more heavy direction into funk and jazzy-styled recordings.

Track-listing

1. Slip 'n Slide

2. Keep It Coming

3. There's No Tellin'

4. Maybe Your Baby

5. I Finally Found You

6. Feel Good

7. Satisfied

8. Haulin' Coal

9. Whoever's Thrilling You (Is Killing Me)

10. Love the One You're With/Sit Yourself Down (Medley)

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

Bernard Wright - 'Nard

Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of Bernard Wright’s Debut Studio Album “'Nard” Originally Released on July 17, 1981.

‘“Nard” is the debut album from American funk keyboardist Bernard Wright. It was released in 1981 by GRP Records and distributed by Arista Records.

The album peaked at #7 on the U.S. Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart, #23 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and at #116 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Albums chart.

Two songs were released as singles from the album "Just Chillin' Out" and “Haboglabotribin”

"Just Chillin' Out" reached #32 on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and at #85 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

“Haboglabotribin” reached #78 on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

The song "Haboglabotribin" is featured in Grand Theft Auto V on the radio station Space 103.2. The song is also featured in the trailer for the Enhanced Edition of the game, which was shown during Sony’s PlayStation 5 reveal event.

Track-listing

1. Master Rocker

2. Firebolt Hustle

3. Haboglabotribin’

4. Spinnin'

5. Just Chillin' Out

6. Bread Sandwiches

7. Music is the Key

8. We're Just the Band

9. Solar

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

Rick James - Garden of Love

Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of Rick James’ 4th Studio Album “Garden of Love” Originally Released on July 16, 1980.

“Garden of Love is the fourth studio album by the American musician Rick James, released in 1980 on Motown sub-label Gordy Records.

The album peaked at #17 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs chart and at #83 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

Two Singles were released from the album “Big Time” and “Summer Love”.

“Summer Love” was the album’s first single from the album it failed to reach the Billboard charts.

“Big Time” was released as the album’s second single it peaked at #17 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and at #38 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

The album was considered too ballad-heavy by fans and critics it was a far cry from the earlier albums he released.

Fans of his "Punk Funk" style would only find two uptempo funk driven songs that made them reminisce of his earlier hits “Big Time” and "Mary-Go-Round," Both songs are intricately arranged in James' trademark style and offer plenty of hooks but neither breaks new ground.

The remainder of the album is more focused on love ballads that were usually used as changes of pace on a typical funk-heavy James outing.

Track-listing

1. Big Time

2. Don't Give up on Love

3. Island Lady

4. Gettin' It On (In the Sunshine)

5. Summer Love

6. Mary -Go- Round

7. Gettin' It On (In the Sunshine) Reprise

8. Big Time" (Extended version – Previously unreleased)

10. Gypsy Girl (Unreleased demo)

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.