Search - Ohio Players :: Pain

Rough, but in the best sense of the word! Fonky n' blunted b

Nathan | Charlotte, N.C. United States | 08/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't complain. I jus' can't complain. Well, maybe I can. But it would only be because I selfishly want more songs like 'Never Had a Dream', one'a their BEST cuts EVER. You may wanna be warned up-front 'fore you buy this album dependin' on what kinda fan you are an' what you're lookin' for, that this AIN'T 'Love Rollercoaster' or 'Sweet Sticky Thang'. An' if thas' what you're lookin' for this may not even sound like the same band to you.



This is early an' rough in their career, an' considerin' they started churnin' out masterpiece after masterpiece a few years later, you wouldn't expect this to be as good as it is. But, damned if it isn't great. Their sound certainly got more smoothed out an' accessible by the time the 'Honey' album came around, but the rough n' grimey funk-bar-band sound here appeals to me. The horns on the title cut are big-time infectious, an' that firm, smoky, blunted sound on 'Playas Ballin (Doin they Own Thang)' is irresistable. But the passionate an' fervent vocals on 'Never Had a Dream' an' the self-loathing of 'The Reds' are where I think they truly shined. That bluesy guitarwork coupled with the firebrand lyrics ("Feels like 'ya wanna die") on the latter is so staggering that if they had stretched that joint out into an epic I would'a loved every minute of it. This one's sorely-overlooked."

A coming out party for the "original" Ohio Players!

Robin G. Pugh (RGP72639@aol.com) | Brooklyn, New York | 06/18/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Of the Ohio Players recordings on the Westbound label, Pain represents a new direction in soul music of the early 70's - a coming out party for the original Ohio Players led by Junie Morrison. That the title cut, "Pain", was ad libbed is a clear indication of genius at work. The first few notes of the bass on the title cut, Pain, got everybody up on the floor over 25 years ago and for the "old school" crowd, still does today. Although much of the phrasing, both lyrically and musically is repetitious throughout the different cuts, Pain, a fusion of jazz, funk, and R&B is a must have for the true funk collector."

Pain is pleasurable

Uncle Steven | Pikesville, Maryland USA | 10/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really like this album. I can remember seeing them doing the title cut on Soul Train and was blown away. The title cut has slick groove with Junie doing the lead doin his "roll call". Never had a love is another cut in which one of the vocalist sounds alot like the late David Ruffin of the Temptations. Players Ballin is a funky joint as well. My favorite is Singin in the morning. It's blusey but funky. "Granny" opens up with her introduction of the group then demanding her money for doing so. Walter "Junie" Morrison was ahead of his time. He later joined the P-Funk crew (Rumors have it that he actually wrote Knee Deep but never got the credit). However I recommend this album and if u can, get "Pleasure" as well. Pleasure is a step higher than this one, and I gave this one five stars...



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