Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
When the Ohio Players recorded their second Westbound album, Pleasure, in 1972, they weren't as big as they would be from 1974-1976. But their popularity was growing -- slowly but surely -- and those who were hip to the band recognized them as one of the most cutting-edge acts in the funk field. A lot of bands were providing funk in 1972, but not many of them used jazz progressions as creatively as the Players use them on "Laid It," "Walked Away from You," and Pleasure's title song. Those tracks are gems, and the Players are equally captivating on the sweet soul ballad "Varee Is Love." But the best known tune on the album is the goofy "Funky Worm," which employed the Players' amusing Granny character and was, in 1972, their biggest hit to date. Long after the band's popularity faded, "Funky Worm" would live on in the 1980s and 1990s thanks to the various hip-hoppers who sampled its irresistible bassline. Like Pain in 1971, Pleasure had a kinky cover that generated some controversy -- the same bald woman who brandished a bullwhip and wore dominatrix attire on the front cover of Pain was chained up on the cover of Pleasure. Some folks found the Players' kinky LP covers intriguing, while others were shocked and offended. And the Players, having struggled in the 1960s, were happy to be noticed. But ultimately, it is the quality of the music -- not the bondage-minded cover -- that makes Pleasure a funk classic.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $17.49/month
Leroy Bonner, Composer, Lyricist - Marshall Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Marvin Pierce, Composer, Lyricist - Andrew Noland, Composer, Lyricist - Norman Napier, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Morrison, Composer, Lyricist - Gregory Webster, Composer, Lyricist - Ohio Players, MainArtist - Ralph Middlebro, Composer, Lyricist
2021 Westbound Records
Leroy Bonner, Composer, Lyricist - Marshall Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Marvin Pierce, Composer, Lyricist - Andrew Noland, Composer, Lyricist - Norman Napier, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Morrison, Composer, Lyricist - Gregory Webster, Composer, Lyricist - Ohio Players, MainArtist - Ralph Middlebro, Composer, Lyricist
2021 Westbound Records
Leroy Bonner, Composer, Lyricist - Marshall Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Marvin Pierce, Composer, Lyricist - Andrew Noland, Composer, Lyricist - Norman Napier, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Morrison, Composer, Lyricist - Gregory Webster, Composer, Lyricist - Ohio Players, MainArtist - Ralph Middlebro, Composer, Lyricist
2021 Westbound Records
Leroy Bonner, Composer, Lyricist - Marshall Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Marvin Pierce, Composer, Lyricist - Andrew Noland, Composer, Lyricist - Norman Napier, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Morrison, Composer, Lyricist - Gregory Webster, Composer, Lyricist - Ohio Players, MainArtist - Ralph Middlebro, Composer, Lyricist
2021 Westbound Records
Leroy Bonner, Composer, Lyricist - Marshall Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Marvin Pierce, Composer, Lyricist - Andrew Noland, Composer, Lyricist - Norman Napier, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Morrison, Composer, Lyricist - Gregory Webster, Composer, Lyricist - Ohio Players, MainArtist - Ralph Middlebro, Composer, Lyricist
2021 Westbound Records
Leroy Bonner, Composer, Lyricist - Marshall Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Marvin Pierce, Composer, Lyricist - Andrew Noland, Composer, Lyricist - Norman Napier, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Morrison, Composer, Lyricist - Gregory Webster, Composer, Lyricist - Ohio Players, MainArtist - Ralph Middlebro, Composer, Lyricist
2021 Westbound Records
Leroy Bonner, Composer, Lyricist - Marshall Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Marvin Pierce, Composer, Lyricist - Andrew Noland, Composer, Lyricist - Norman Napier, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Morrison, Composer, Lyricist - Gregory Webster, Composer, Lyricist - Ohio Players, MainArtist - Ralph Middlebro, Composer, Lyricist
2021 Westbound Records
Leroy Bonner, Composer, Lyricist - Marshall Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Marvin Pierce, Composer, Lyricist - Andrew Noland, Composer, Lyricist - Norman Napier, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Morrison, Composer, Lyricist - Gregory Webster, Composer, Lyricist - Ohio Players, MainArtist - Ralph Middlebro, Composer, Lyricist
2021 Westbound Records
Leroy Bonner, Composer, Lyricist - Marshall Jones, Composer, Lyricist - Marvin Pierce, Composer, Lyricist - Andrew Noland, Composer, Lyricist - Norman Napier, Composer, Lyricist - Walter Morrison, Composer, Lyricist - Gregory Webster, Composer, Lyricist - Ohio Players, MainArtist - Ralph Middlebro, Composer, Lyricist
2021 Westbound Records
Album review
When the Ohio Players recorded their second Westbound album, Pleasure, in 1972, they weren't as big as they would be from 1974-1976. But their popularity was growing -- slowly but surely -- and those who were hip to the band recognized them as one of the most cutting-edge acts in the funk field. A lot of bands were providing funk in 1972, but not many of them used jazz progressions as creatively as the Players use them on "Laid It," "Walked Away from You," and Pleasure's title song. Those tracks are gems, and the Players are equally captivating on the sweet soul ballad "Varee Is Love." But the best known tune on the album is the goofy "Funky Worm," which employed the Players' amusing Granny character and was, in 1972, their biggest hit to date. Long after the band's popularity faded, "Funky Worm" would live on in the 1980s and 1990s thanks to the various hip-hoppers who sampled its irresistible bassline. Like Pain in 1971, Pleasure had a kinky cover that generated some controversy -- the same bald woman who brandished a bullwhip and wore dominatrix attire on the front cover of Pain was chained up on the cover of Pleasure. Some folks found the Players' kinky LP covers intriguing, while others were shocked and offended. And the Players, having struggled in the 1960s, were happy to be noticed. But ultimately, it is the quality of the music -- not the bondage-minded cover -- that makes Pleasure a funk classic.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 9 track(s)
- Total length: 00:31:06
- Main artists: Ohio Players
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Westbound Records
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B Soul
2021 Westbound Records
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.
