Mr. Mean (album)

Mr. Mean
Studio album by Ohio Players
Released	December 1977[1]
Recorded	The Record Plant (Los Angeles), Paragon Recording Studios (Chicago), The Sound Factory (Los Angeles)
Genre	Soul/Funk
Label	Mercury
Producer	Ohio Players
Ohio Players chronology
The Best of the Early Years, Vol. 1 (1977) Mr. Mean (1977) Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee (1978)

Mr. Mean is the 13th album by The Ohio Players, and the 7th album recorded for Mercury. The band's roster grew once again, this time from eight to nine members with the entrance of Robert "C.D." Jones on congas.

With the band's popularity higher than ever, the Ohio Players were asked by actor Fred Williamson to create music for a movie he was writing and directing, Mr. Mean. 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.

The music was made for the sole purpose of it being used for a movie, perhaps the reason why it felt like a departure from their previous work, but fans and critics reacted to it with mixed opinions.

Mr. Mean was also the first time the entire band were seen on the cover posing with their model.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

Track listing

1. "Mr. Mean" (5:16)
2. "Fight Me, Chase Me" (5:10)
3. "The Controller's Mind" (1:36)
4. "The Big Score" (7:34)
5. "Magic Trick" (6:56)
6. "Good Luck Charm" (9:36)
7. "Speak Easy" (3:52)

Later Samples

• "Good Luck Charm"
  • "Last Words" by Nas from the album Nastradamus

Personnel

• Clarence "Satch" Satchell - flute, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, rhythm king, percussion, and vocals
• Leroy "Sugar" 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
• Mervin Pierce - trumpets, trombones & flugelhorn
• Clarence "Chet" Willis - rhythm guitar & vocals
• Robert "Rumba" Jones - congas

Charts

Year	Album	Chart positions[3]
		US	US R&B
1978	Mr. Mean	68	11

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions[4]
		US	US R&B	US Dance
1978	"Good Luck Charm"	—	51	—
	"Magic Trick"	—	93	—

External links

• Ohio Players-Mr. Mean at Discogs

References

1. ^ "Ohio Players". sound.jp. http://sound.jp/oresama/ohio.htm. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
2. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/r14375/review
3. ^ "Ohio Players US albums chart history". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5062/charts-awards/billboard-albums. Retrieved 2011-06-21. 
4. ^ "Ohio Players US singles chart history". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5062/charts-awards/billboard-singles. Retrieved 2011-06-21.