Mr. Mean is the tenth studio album by the Ohio Players and the 7th album recorded for Mercury. It is the soundtrack to the eponymous 1977 film. The band's roster grew, this time from eight to nine members with the entrance of Robert "C.D." Jones on congas.
Background With the Ohio Players' popularity higher than ever, the group was asked by actor Fred Williamson to create music for Mr. Mean, a movie he was writing and directing. Some sessions for the album were recorded, like previous albums, at Paragon Recording Studio in Chicago but this project brought them into Los Angeles for the first time to record music.
The songs were a departure from the mid-tempo funk and soul they were becoming known for, especially compared to the album they released months before, Angel. The group placed a greater emphasis in incorporating more ballads and jazz of the quiet storm variety. Mr. Mean was the first time the entire band were seen on the cover posing with their model.
Track listing All tracks composed by Billy Beck, James "Diamond" Williams, Marshall "Rock" Jones, Marvin "Merv" Pierce, Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks, Clarence Satchell and Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner. "Mr. Mean" (5:16) "Fight Me, Chase Me" (5:10) "The Controller's Mind" (1:36) "The Big Score" (7:34) "Magic Trick" (6:56) "Good Luck Charm" (9:36) "Speak Easy" (3:52)
Later samples "Good Luck Charm" "Last Words" by Nas from the 1999 album Nastradamus
Personnel Clarence "Satch" Satchell - flute, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, rhythm king, percussion and vocals Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner - guitars, percussion and lead vocals Marshall "Rock" Jones - electric bass Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks - trumpets & trombones James "Diamond" Williams - drums, vibes, cowbell, percussion and vocals Billy Beck - Grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hohner D-6 Clavinet, RMI Electric piano, ARP Odyssey Synthesizer, ARP string ensemble, Hammond B-3 organ, percussion and vocals Marvin "Merv" Pierce - trumpets, trombones and flugelhorn Clarence "Chet" Willis - rhythm guitar and vocals Robert "Rumba" Jones - congas
Charts Chart (1977)PeakU.S. Billboard Top LPs68U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs11
Singles Year Single Peak chart positions US USR&B1977 "Good Luck Charm (Part 1)" 101 511978 "Magic Trick" — 93
References
External links Mr. Mean at Discogs