Pleasure (Ohio Players album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Pleasure
Type = Album
Artist = Ohio Players


Released = 1972
Recorded = Artie Fields Studios, Detroit, Michigan
Genre = Soul/Funk
Length =
Label = Westbound
Producer = Ohio Players
Reviews =*Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://wc05.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:a9fuxqe5ldke link]
Last album = "Pain"
(1971)
This album = "Pleasure"
(1972)
Next album = "Ecstasy"
(1973)

"Pleasure" is the 4th album by The Ohio Players and the second released through the Westbound label. The group continue with vocal harmonies more reminiscent of their earlier work than what they would do when they moved to Mercury two years later, and would often show jazz tendencies with some of their musical arrangements. The songs are a mixture of radio-friendly material with songs that come off as late night studio jam sessions, such as "Walter's First Trip".

The song "Funky Worm" was released as a single and went to #1 on the Billboard R&B charts, their biggest hit during their time with Westbound. The song, about a unique worm that enjoyed going in mysterious places, would later be sampled by a number of producers in hip-hop and R&B during the late 80's and early 90's.

The single and album mixes of "Funky Worm" are slightly different, most notably the opening drum break and the synthesizer solo that represents the sound of the worm. Upon listening to hip-hop and R&B songs that have sampled it, one can detect if they used the single or album version.

The album was produced by the band, and engineered by Arlen Smith. Cover photo was taken by Joel Brodsky.

Track listing

# "Pleasure" (Ohio Players) (5:28)
# "Laid It" (Ohio Players) (3:00)
# "Pride and Vanity" (Ohio Players) (4:22)
# "Walt's First Trip" (Ohio Players) (3:08)
# "Varee is Love" (Ohio Players) (2:43)
# "Walked Away From You" (Ohio Players) (2:29)
# "Paint Me" (Ohio Players) (2:02)
# "Funky Worm" (Ohio Players) (2:35)
# "Our Love Has Died" (Ohio Players) (4:50)