Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee is the eleventh studio album by the Ohio Players. It was the 8th and last album they would record for Mercury. The title is a unique spelling of the term "jazzy lady." Unlike their last two efforts, the group remained with the nine-man roster that they had with Mr. Mean.
The group returned to the soul and funk that had been a big part of their sound, since the mellower, jazzier sounds of Mr. Mean (a soundtrack for a film directed by and starring Fred Williamson) failed to move fans and critics. Low sales of that album would also lead to lower-than-expected sales for Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee.
Critical reception
The Journal Herald deemed the album "the cleanest, most antiseptic Players LP yet."
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. "Funk-O-Nots" (4:48) "Sleepwalkin'" (5:27) "Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee" (8:18) "Nott Enuff" (4:58) "Time Slips Away/Shoot Yer Shot" (7:13) "Dance (If Ya Wanta)" (6:13)
Personnel Clarence "Satch" Satchell - flute, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, baritone saxophones, varitone and vocals Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner - guitars, percussion and lead vocals Marshall "Rock" Jones - electric bass Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks - trumpets James "Diamond" Williams - drums, congas, cowbell, percussion and vocals Billy Beck - Grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B-3 organ, Hohner D-6 Clavinet, RMI Electric piano, ARP Odyssey Synthesizer, ARP string ensemble, percussion and vocals Marvin "Merv" Pierce - trumpets, trombones and flugelhorn Clarence "Chet" Willis - guitars, vocals and lead vocals on "Time Slips Away" Robert "C.D." Jones - congas
Charts Chart (1978)PeakU.S. Billboard Top LPs69U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs15
Singles Year Single Peak chart positions US USR&B1978 "Funk-O-Nots" 105 27 "Time Slips Away" — 53
References
External links Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee at Discogs