Love Rollercoaster: Anthology

Performer: The Ohio Players
Producer: Athan Maroulis; Athan Maroulis (Compilation)
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: The Ohio Players: Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner (vocals, guitar); Dutch Robinson (vocals, piano); Bobby Lee Fears (vocals); Clarence Satchell (flute, saxophone); Ralph Middlebrooks (trumpet); Marshall "Rock" Jones (bass instrument); Greg Webster (drums). Personnel: Helena Ferguson, Gloria "Towanda Barnes" Barnes (vocals). Liner Note Author: Athan Maroulis. Editor: Liz Ohanesian. Released by Goldenlane in 2005, Love Rollercoaster: Anthology is an irritating Ohio Players compilation, starting with two of the group's biggest hits ("Love Rollercoaster" and "Fire") before dipping into the group's early recordings, back when they were more of a Southern soul act. This is an apparent ploy, assuming that casual fans won't look for the group's other chart hits ("Fopp," "I Want to Be Free," "Sweet Sticky Thing," "Skin Tight," "Who'd She Coo?") and instead wind up with a stylistically different set of songs. To be fair, there's a small-print description of the disc's contents beneath the track listing on the back, but it doesn't make the disc any more useful. Besides, these early recordings -- heard on the First Impressions compilation and debut album Observations in Time -- have been available in multiple forms. ~ Andy Kellman

One of the most important and successful funk bands of the '70s, the Ohio Players made effective use of aggressive horns and big, butt-shakin' bass lines. The group produced a wide variety of great, sex-savvy soul music, many of their biggest hits were sex-related novelties. Unfortunately, the Ohio Players are now remembered almost as much for their erotic cover art as for their music.

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