Ohio Players ‎– Skin Tight

The Ohio Players—truly the kings of the “erotic album cover”—released their sixth album, “Skin Tight,” in 1974.

As usual with them, the opening title track is massively popular and one of the most sampled cuts in their entire catalog. The equally strong A2 “Streakin’ Cheek to Cheek” is the source for Bob Sinclar’s “Disco 2000 Selector.” Closing out side A is the album’s longest track, a ballad featuring an almost exaggeratedly drawn-out, sticky vocal delivery that feels intentionally over the top.

Side B opens with “Jive Turkey,” a heavy low-end funk tune marked by the contrast between its thick bassline and crisp horns—definitely a satisfying listen. The highlight of the album is surely “Heaven Must Be Like This,” an exquisite soul masterpiece later covered by Madlib’s Yesterdays New Quintet and by D’Angelo. The album wraps up with “Is Anybody Gonna Be Saved?”, a communal sing-along complete with handclaps.

I listened to it again for the first time in a while, and yep—it's still such a great record.

エロジャケアーティストの王道、オハイオ・プレイヤーズの1974年リリース通算6枚目のアルバム「スキン・タイト」
例に漏れず冒頭タイトル曲はサンプリングソースとしても人気No.1チューン。そのタイトル曲に勝るとも劣らない好曲のA2「Streakin' Cheek To Cheek」はBob Sinclar「Disco 2000 Selector」ネタ。A面ラストは本作きっての長尺曲で、糸を引くようなねちっこいヴォーカルが無理矢理感たっぷりwのバラード。

B1「Jive Turkey」はヘビーなベースラインと抜けたホーン隊のコントラストが印象的で、聴き応えのあるロウFUNK好曲。B2「Heaven Must Be Like This」は本作の白眉でございましょう。マドリブのオウン・ユニット、Yesterdays New Quintetやディアンジェロもカヴァーした極上ソウル。ラスト「Is Anybody Gonna Be Saved?」は皆で合唱&ハンド・クラップ。

久々聴きましたが、やっぱええレコードや～

Ohio Players ‎– Skin Tight　'74 Mercury
A1. Skin Tight
A2. Streakin' Cheek To Cheek
A3. It's Your Night/Words Of Love
B1. Jive Turkey
B2. Heaven Must Be Like This
B3. Is Anybody Gonna Be Saved?

Credit;
Art Direction – Jim Ladwig
Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Percussion, Lead
& Backing Vocals – Satch
Bass [Fender] – Jones
Design – Len Willis
Drums, Chimes, Percussion, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Diamond
Engineer [Paragon Studios] – Barry Mraz
Engineer [Sterling Sound] – Lee Hulko
Guitar, Percussion, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Sugarfoot
Mastered By – Dave Phimister
Mastered By [Lacquer Cutting] – G.K. (A1 to A3)
Other [Special Consultant] – Robin McBride
Photography – Richard Fegley
Piano, Organ, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Clavinet, Synthesizer
[Arp], Percussion, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Billy
Producer – Ohio Players, The
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone [Valve], Backing Vocals – Merv
Trumpet, Trombone, Backing Vocals – Pee Wee
Written-By – C. Satchell, J. Williams, L. Bonner, M. Jones,
M. Pierce, R. Middlebrooks

「Skin Tight」サンプリング例

・Fred & the New J.B.'s「Makin' Love」('74)

・Kool DJ AJ「Ah, That's the Joint」('80)

・Young MC「I Let 'Em Know」('88)

・Young MC「Know How」('89)

・A.P.G. Crew「Everybody Just Dance」('89)

・Information Society「Mirrorshades」('90)

・Ron B and The Step 2 Crew「Live Entertainerb」('90)

・Geto Boys「Talkin' Loud Ain't Saying Nothin'」('90)

・Greyson & Jasun「Sweatin' Me Wet」('91)

・WC & the Maad Circle「You Don't Work, U Don't Eat」

・Underground Rebellion「Dead Presidents」('91)

・Carmen Electra「S.T.」('91)

・MC Hammer and 2Pac「Too Tight」('96)

・The Mossie feat. B-Legit「When I Say Jump」('97)

・Piotta「Comunque Vada Sarà Un Successo」('98)

・Method Man feat. Redman「Big Dogs」('98)

・The Brand New Heavies「Saturday Nite (Blacksmith Mix)」('99)

・Nationwide Rip Ridaz II「Take It Personal」('99)

・Messy Marv「Trump Tight」('99)

・General Woo「Znam」('11)

・Chassé「Word Up Kids」('17)

- その他のオハイオ・プレイヤーズ作品 -

・Ohio Players ‎– Varee Is Love / Walt's First ('72 Westbound)
・Ohio Players「First Impressions」('72 Trip)

・Ohio Players「The Ohio Players」('74 Capitol)

・Ohio Players ‎– Love Rollercoaster ('75 Mercury)

・Ohio Players「Honey」('75 Mercury)

・Ohio Players – Body Vibes / Don't Fight My Love ('77 Mercury)
・Ohio Players「Back」('88 Track)

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