Ohio Players

Ohio Players are an American national treasure; a band that truly broke the mould and changed the face of music forever. The Players music is pure and organic, the loose free form rhythms, those classy horns, the sharp keys, the tight drums, the funky licks, the progressive, erotic album covers. It’s fair to say Ohio Players are one of the greatest bands of all time. During their heights they produced 17 Top 40 hits, with several platinum and gold selling albums, including masterpiece songs such as ‘Skin Tight’, ‘Fire’, ‘Love Rollercoaster’ and ‘Who'd She Coo?’.

 

Ohio Players sound has been engrained into modern popular culture. Their music has been used everywhere, from McDonald’s commercials to The Sopranos. In 2004 the Players were given a prestigious BMI award for the use of the song ‘Fire’ on 12 seasons of Hell’s Kitchen. The Players also paved the way for the next generation of funkateers; samples of their music have enhanced the careers of Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Jay-Z, Outkast, Notorious BIG, 2Pac, Mary J Blige and a great many others. Their songs have also been covered by a vast array of artists including Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Jazz musicians Alex Bugnon and Paul Jackson JR.

 

In 2013, the Players were inducted into the inaugural class of the Official R&B Music Hall of Fame and in 2014, for the first time in 26 years Ohio Players are back with new music!

The original Players members of James ‘Diamond’ Williams (Drummer), Billy Beck, (Keyboardist), Clarence ‘Chet’ Willis (Guitarist) and Robert ‘Kuumba’ Jones (Percussionist) have been back in the studio recording the new album ‘Reset’ and rest assured; that Player groove is back! Mature and refined and complete with that earthy timeless signature sound that made Ohio Players international superstars. Hearing the depth of feeling in the first single is like a breath of fresh air that puts the well needed soul back into modern music.