Extra Inches: The Music of Dayton, Ohio
9th June 2010
What is it about Dayton? Situated within the Miami Valley region of Ohio and just north of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, this city historically seems to have an incredible ratio of artists to mere human beings and in groups such as The Ohio Players, represents some of the finest soul and funk heard through the 1970s and into the 1980’s.
On offer here then as part of the Extra Inches series is a thirteen track selection series which exemplifies the ‘Sound of Dayton’ over an amazing ten year period. Two tracks a piece come from The Ohio Players themselves, Dayton and Steve Arrington – solo and as part of Slave. Elsewhere, Roger Troutman’s Zapp are on hand as are Salsoul’s Aurra from their Send Your Love album. Classic funk comes from Faze-O and the beautiful harmonies of Johnnie Wilder can be heard with a wonderful cut from Heatwave’s Too Hot To Handle album. Lakeside, who found fame on SOLAR, started life in Dayton as did the somewhat lesser-know Sun, a group who made several highly impressive albums; I’ve chosen a cut from their album in 1977: Sun-Power. Finally, one of my favourite Jazz-Funk groups ever: Wood, Brass and Steel, who qualify by virtue of their sax’ man: Otha Stokes. The track Funkanova is just one of the most incredibly driven and exciting cuts ever recorded and by association is perfectly at home in the company of such luminaries.
Volume II? I don’t see any problem compiling that at all.
Stereo, not stereoptypical.
Enjoy!
Extra Inches: The Music of Dayton, Ohio
9th June 2010
Artist – Track – Album – Year
Steve Arrington’s Hall Of Fame Way Out 1 1983
Zapp It Doesn’t Really Matter The New Zapp IV U 1985
Aurra Nasty Disposition Send Your Love 1981
The Ohio Players Sweet Sticky Thing Honey 1975
Faze-O Riding High Riding High 1977
Heatwave All You Do Is Dial Too Hot To Handle 1977
Sun Conscience Sun-Power 1977
Dayton The Sound Of Music Feel The Music 1983
Slave Wait For Me Show Time 1981
The Ohio Players Time Slips Away Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee 1978
Lakeside Something About That Woman Your Wish Is My Command 1981
Dayton Promise Me Feel The Music 1983
Wood, Brass & Steel Funkanova Wood, Brass & Steel 1976
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