The Ohio Players – Observations In Time
This is a collection from a band known for its rollicking, chart-topping funk hits that dominated the disco-funk charts of the 70s though their origins were as early as 1964. The band had a broad & complex repertoire that churned some hot melodies in a pot of flavorful music. They got heavy & lightened up as needed.
The 1969 session tracks were produced by Johnny Brantley & the compilation was produced by Cheryl Pawelski for Observations In Time – The Johnny Brantley/Vidalia Productions (RUJAC Records/Omnivore/Good Time/75:00). The 24 songs came from varied LPs & not everything’s typically commercial or mainstream. This set gathers first recordings & some that led up to their later hit-making commercial years.
The singers bridged a gap between the intense Four Tops & the slick Temptations by situating themselves between those vocalists & the Isley Brothers. Even their cover of “Over the Rainbow,” is soulful without diminishing the classicism of the legendary “Wizard of Oz,” song. This is where soulful artistry meets contemporary interpretive measures. It’s the same reason jazz musicians cover songs like “My Funny Valentine,” “Last Train to Clarksville” & “Mary, Mary.” Songs not originally in the jazz canon.
The Ohio Players were a diversified & original unit. They performed interesting music like “Here Today & Gone Tomorrow,” (covered by David Bowie) that leads the pack. There are some covers but they don’t interfere with the CD’s momentum.
Later, they provide a Bar-Kays-Arthur Conley-type horn figure in a funky drenched instrumental “Find Someone To Love.” The Temptations & Miracles ooze influentially through the horn-tinted ballad “Cold, Cold World.” The band is more keenly dramatic lengthy explorations are found on “Summertime,” (from “Porgy & Bess”). A tight trumpet solo & a flute workout make it a flammable jam. It reminded me of the experimentation Eugene McDaniels (60s pop singer Gene McDaniels) took his “Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse.” (Atlantic/1971). That too, is a revelation. Nothing like his pop hits on Liberty Records.
The band ignites a James Brown groove on “A Thing Called Love,” that sizzles. Primarily, their music is rooted in true rhythm & blues (R&B) as originally performed by Sam Cooke, Brook Benton, Ray Hamilton, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson & not what passes for R&B today. The Ohio Players were cutting edge. Their high-pitched rocking vocals (“The Man That I Am” & its instrumental counterpart) were long before Michael Jackson made it his trademark.
Highlights – “Here Today & Gone Tomorrow,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Find Someone To Love,” “Cold, Cold World,” “Summertime,” “The Man That I Am,” & instrumental version, “A Thing Called Love,” “My Neighbors,” “I Got To Hold On” & “Alabama Soupbone.”
Musicians – Clarence “Satch” Mitchell (sax/flute), Ralph Meadowbrooks (trumpet/sax), Leroy Bonner (guitar), Marshall Jones (Fender bass), Dutch Robinson (piano/vocals), Bobby Fears (vocals) & Gregory Webster (drums).
An 8pp stitched liner note insert is included. Color image: Squarespace & WLA Talent Agency. CD @ https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/observations/