Search - Ohio Players :: Contradiction

SMOOTH FUNK players STYLE... !

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 10/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The OHIO PLAYERS seemed to crank out just one album after another straight through the '70s, with fans just as eager to see the next album cover, as hear the music. - - True, in terms of both funk, and cover illustrations they were a lot more hard core (literally) in their WESTBOUND years, but as they moved on to Mercury they came up with a new idea... the Jazzed out, funky arp driven nasty smooth funk Jam... This isn't the music you listen to put someone in the mood for the act (say like a Barry White or Grover Washington album) its the album you listen to WHILE you're doing it ! ! ! That's the best way to describe it. - - Although FIRE and SKIN TIGHT were probably their most popular albums of that era THIS and HONEY are actually my faves... I particularly like this album because ALL the tracks are good... When I was a teenager and first started listening to the players I remember always saving this album (and Issac Hayes's SHAFT) for LAST right before I went to bed, because I new I could just put it on the table and let it play straight through (!) - - then if I was still awake, turn it over, and if not... have absolutely no reason to want to STOP it and put on something else... Althoughthere were plenty of "funk" groups who were Jazzy, Slick, Smooth and Funky during that era (Gap, Cameo, Earth Wind and Fire come to mind) I like the Ohio Players because they had a genuinely nasty edge... I don't think anybody, even PRINCE in later years was able quite able to get that mix right... atleast as good as the players... and now, whenever I hear those "slow jams" playing on those "urban contemporary" type stations I can't help but think how many artists need a bit of schooling from the guys who got it right well before them ! Incidentally, if anyone in this world has a copie of JUNIE... please let me know... I have no idea where my copy went and miss it bad ! ! ! ;-)"

No Contradictions on this One!

Dave L | Phila,Pa | 10/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The players threw some down home funk on this one,the title track is funk rock at it,s best while far east mississippi is just down and dirty dayton funk!a true musicians dream just listen the vocals and musicianship after all the players were known to employ over twenty different instruments for one album a must have."

An adventurous bit of organic 70's funk

MilesAndTrane | Chicago, Il USA | 10/26/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Contradiction" was the last effort of true funk by these guys before disco sent them scrambling for 4-on-the-floor drum beats. This is a more adventurous album (anything recorded between 1974 and 1977 from these guys is solid), the harmony arrangements on this album are so strong that only Earth, Wind & Fire rival them in that category. Lots of nasty guitar and wavering keyboards, the band was real tight at writing ballads by now. Not a weak track on here, "My Ladies Run Me Crazy" is especially the bomb. Also try to get the hard-to-find 1977 album "Angel"."