Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee

Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee
Studio album by
Ohio Players
ReleasedAugust 1978
RecordedThe Chicago Recording Company (Chicago), Paragon Recording Studios (Chicago), The Record Plant (Los Angeles), Wally Heider Studios (Los Angeles)
GenreSoul, funk
Length36:57
LabelMercury
ProducerOhio Players
Ohio Players chronology
Mr. Mean
(1977) 		Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee
(1978) 		Everybody Up
(1979)

Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee is the eleventh studio album by the Ohio Players. It was the 8th and last album they would record for Mercury. The 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 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 that album would also lead to lower-than-expected sales for Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Journal HeraldC[2]

The Journal Herald deemed the album "the cleanest, most antiseptic Players LP yet."[2]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Billy Beck, James "Diamond" Williams, Marshall Jones, Marvin "Merv" Pierce, Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks, Clarence Satchell and Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner

  1. "Funk-O-Nots" (4:48)
  2. "Sleepwalkin'" (5:27)
  3. "Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee" (8:18)
  4. "Nott Enuff" (4:58)
  5. "Time Slips Away/Shoot Yer Shot" (7:13)
  6. "Dance (If Ya Wanta)" (6:13)

Personnel

  • Clarence "Satch" Satchell - flute, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, baritone saxophones, Varitone and vocals
  • Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner - guitars, percussion, and lead vocals
  • Marshall "Rock" Jones - electric bass
  • Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks - trumpets
  • James "Diamond" Williams - drums, congas, cowbell, percussion, and vocals
  • Billy Beck - Grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B-3 organ, Hohner D-6 Clavinet, RMI Electric piano, ARP Odyssey Synthesizer, ARP string ensemble, percussion, and vocals
  • Marvin "Merv" Pierce - trumpets, trombones & flugelhorn
  • Clarence "Chet" Willis - guitars, vocals, and lead vocals on "Time Slips Away"
  • Robert "C.D." Jones - congas

Charts

Chart (1978) Peak
[3]
U.S. Billboard Top LPs 69
U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs 15
Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions
US
[3] 		US
R&B
[3]
1978 "Funk-O-Nots" 105 27
"Time Slips Away" — 53

References

  1. ^ Henderson, Alex. Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee review at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  2. ^ a b Lawson, Terry (19 Aug 1978). "For sale, records". Journal Herald. Dayton. p. 26.
  3. ^ a b c "US Charts > Ohio Players". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-30.