O' Jays

Niezwykle popularna grupa soulowa, której trzon stanowili Eddie Levert (ur. 16.06.1942 r.) i Walter Williams (ur. 25.08.1942 r.). Obaj artyści występowali razem jako śpiewający muzykę gospel duet, a w 1958 r. założyli formację The Triumphs. Skład tego zainspirowanego muzyką doo-wop kwintetu uzupełnili William Powell, Bill Isles i Bobby Massey.

 

Formacja zdobyła sporą popularność w okolicach rodzinnego miasta członków Canton w stanie Ohio. Ten sam skład nagrywał później jako The Mascots, by niedługo potem przyjąć nazwę 0'Jays na cześć działającego w Cleveland discjockeya Eddiego 0'Jaya, który służył im cenną radą i pomocą. Podpisawszy w 1963 r. kontrakt z wytwórnią Imperial, 0'Jays nagrali swój pierwszy przebój, "Lonely Drifter", po którym zarejestrowali nastrojową wersję utworu "Lipstick Traces" z repertuaru Benny'ego Spellmana (w 1965 r.) i "Stand In For Love" (w 1966 r.).
 

Pomimo umieszczenia w 1967 r. kompozycji "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)" w Top 10 rhythm'n'bluesowej listy przebojów, grupie z trudem przychodziło utrzymanie stałego wysokiego poziomu, a odejście Islesa pomniejszyło skład do kwartetu. W 1968 r. doszło do spotkania z producentami Kennym Gamblem i Leonem Huffem, z którymi nagrywali bez powodzenia dla krótko działającej wytwórni Neptune. W 1972 r. kolegów opuścił Bobby Massey.
 

Najbardziej udany okres w karierze zespołu rozpoczął się po podpisaniu z inicjatywy Gamble'a i Huffa kontraktu z wytwórnią Philadelphia International. Wtedy właśnie styl zespołu określił wyraźnie dynamiczny przebój "Back Stabbers" (Top 3 amerykańskiej listy przebojów), lecz kaznodziejski charakter utworu "Love Train" z jego błaganiem o dążenie do ogólnoświatowej harmonii przygotował grunt pełnym protestu tekstom kompozycji takich jak "Put Your Hands Together" (z 1973 r.) i "For The Love Of Money" (z 1974 r.).
 

Album "Back Stabbers" stał się już klasykiem gatunku i pozostaje bez wątpienia jednym z najdoskonalszych przykładów producenckiego kunsztu spółki Gamble i Huff. W 1975 r., kiedy zły stan zdrowia zmusił Williama Powella do rezygnacji z występów na scenie, zastąpił go Sammy Strain, były członek formacji Little Anthony And The Imperials. Powell nagrywał z kolegami aż do śmierci 25.04.1976 r. Utwory "Message In Our Music" (z 1976 r.) i "Use Ta Be My Girl" (z 1977 r.) potwierdziły stałą popularność O'Jays, którzy przetrwali zmieniające się układy w wytwórni Philadelphia. Jednak zmienność trendów muzycznych zachwiała również karierą formacji.
 

Początek lat 80-tych bez wątpienia nie należał do najlepszych w historii grupy. Przełomem stał się dopiero rok 1985 r.. kiedy O'Jays zarejestrowali album Love Fever prezentujący mieszaninę funka i rapu. Dwa lata później wrócili nieoczekiwanie na szczyt listy przebojów soulowych wraz z utworem "Lovin' You", potwierdzając tym samym swoją pozycję jednej z najdłużej działających formacji soulowych. 

Single

Tytuł	Wykonawca	Data wydania	UK	US	Wytwórnia [US]	Komentarz
Lonely drifter/That' s enough	O' Jays	09.1963	-	93[3]	Imperial 5976	[written by O'Jays ][produced by H. B. Productions]
Stand tall/The storm is over	O' Jays	02.1964	-	131[1]	Imperial 66 007	[written by Smith, Tenen, Fayne, Harmony][produced by H. B. Productions]
Lipstick traces [On a cigarette]/Think it over,baby	O' Jays	05.1965	-	48[7]	Imperial 66 102	[written by Naomi Neville][produced by Tom LiPuma, Joe Saraceno][28[3].R&B; Chart]
I' ve cried my last tear/Whip it on me baby	O' Jays	08.1965	-	94[2]	Imperial 66 121	[written by Naomi Neville][produced by Tom LiPuma]
Let It All Out/ You're The One (You're The Only One)	O' Jays	10.1965	-	-	Imperial 66 131	[written by Naomi Neville][produced by Tom LiPuma][28[7].R&B; Chart]
Stand in for love/Friday night	O' Jays	10.1966	-	95[3]	Imperial 566 197	[written by Eddie LeVert][produced by Wri-Han Productions][12[12].R&B; Chart]
I' ll be sweeter tomorrow [Than i was today]/I dig your act	O' Jays	11.1967	-	66[9]	Bell 691	[written by Jackie Members/Richard Poindexter/Stan Poindexter/Emma Thomas ][produced by George Kerr][8[11].R&B; Chart]
Look over your shoulder/I' m so glad I found you	O' Jays	06.1968	-	89[5]	Bell 704	[written by George Kerr/Larry Roberts][produced by George Kerr][27[8].R&B; Chart]
The choice/Going going gone	O' Jays	09.1968	-	94[3]	Bell 737	[written by Kenny Seymour ][produced by George Kerr][41[2].R&B; Chart]
One night affair/There' s someone [Waiting back home]	O' Jays	08.1969	-	68[6]	Neptune 12	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff/Anthony Jackson][produced by K. Gamble, L. Huff][15[10].R&B; Chart]
Branded Bad/You're The Best Thing Since Candy	O' Jays	11.1969	-	-	Neptune 18	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by K. Gamble, L. Huff][41[4].R&B; Chart]
Deeper [In love with you]/I' ve got the groove	O' Jays	04.1970	-	64[7]	Neptune 22	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by K. Gamble, L. Huff][21[7].R&B; Chart]
Looky looky [Look at me girl]/Let me in your world	O' Jays	09.1970	-	98[2]	Neptune 31	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by K. Gamble, L. Huff][17[8].R&B; Chart]
Back stabbers/Sunshine	O' Jays	07.1972	14[9]	3[15]	Philadelphia Int 3517	[gold-US][1[1][17].R&B; Chart][written by Leon Huff/Gene McFadden/John Whitehead][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
992 arguments/Listen to the clock on the wall	O' Jays	11.1972	-	57[8]	Philadelphia Int 3522	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][13[9].R&B; Chart]
Love train/Who am I	O' Jays	01.1973	9[13]	1[1][14]	Philadelphia Int 3524	[gold-US][gold-UK][1[4][13].R&B; Chart][written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
Time to get down/Shiftless,shady,jealous kind of people	O' Jays	05.1973	-	33[12]	Philadelphia Int 3531	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][2[13].R&B; Chart]
Put your hands together/You got your hooks in me	O' Jays	12.1973	-	10[16]	Philadelphia Int 3535	[written by Burke/Kenneth Gamble][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][2[19].R&B; Chart]
For the love of money/People keep tellin' me	O' Jays	04.1974	-	9[16]	Philadelphia Int 3544	[gold-US][written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff/Anthony Jackson][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][3[15].R&B; Chart]
Peace	O' Jays	08.1974	-	-	Astroscope 110	[65[4].R&B; Chart]
Sunshine Part II/Part I	O' Jays	12.1974	-	48[6]	Philadelphia Int 3558	[written by Phil Hurtt/Bunny Sigler][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][17[13].R&B; Chart]
Give the people what they want/What am i waiting for	O' Jays	05.1975	-	45[9]	Philadelphia Int 3565	[1[1][16].R&B; Chart][written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
Let me make love to you/Survival	O' Jays	07.1975	-	75[3]	Philadelphia Int 3573	[written by Allan Felder/Bunny Sigler][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][A:10[11].R&B; Chart]
I love music [Part 1]/Part II	O' Jays	11.1975	13[9]	5[17]	Philadelphia Int 3577	[gold-US][1[1][18].R&B; Chart][written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
Livin' for the weekend/Stairway to heaven	O' Jays	03.1976	-	20[12]	Philadelphia Int 3587	[1[2][15].R&B; Chart][written by Kenny Gamble/Cary Gilbert/Leon Huff ][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
Family Reunion/Unity	O' Jays	07.1976	-	-	Philadelphia Int 3596	45[6].R&B; Chart][written by Kenny Gamble/Cary Gilbert/Leon Huff ][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
Message in our music/She' s only a woman	O' Jays	09.1976	-	49[9]	Philadelphia Int 3601	[1[1][13].R&B; Chart][written by Kenny Gamble/Leon Huff ][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
Darlin' darlin' baby [Sweet,tender,love]/A prayer	O' Jays	01.1977	24[6]	72[4]	Philadelphia Int 3610	[1[1][16].R&B; Chart][written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
I love music [Part 1]/Part II [re-entry]	O' Jays	04.1978	36[3]	-	Philadelphia Int	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff/Anthony Jackson][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
Work On Me/Let's Spend Some Time Together	O' Jays	07.1977	-	-	Philadelphia Int 3631	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff/Anthony Jackson][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][7[17].R&B; Chart]
Used ta be my girl/This time baby	O' Jays	04.1978	12[12]	4[19]	Philadelphia Int 3642	[gold-US][1[2][21].R&B; Chart][written by Kenny Gamble/Leon Huff ][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble]
Brandy /Take me to the stars	O' Jays	09.1978	21[9]	79[3]	Philadelphia Int 3652	[written by Joe Jefferson/Charles Simmons ][produced by Thom Bell][21[13].R&B; Chart]
Sing a happy song/One in a million [Girl]	O' Jays	09.1978	39[6]	102[1]	Philadelphia Int 3707	[7.R&B; Chart][written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff/Anthony Jackson][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][7[14].R&B; Chart]
Forever mine/Get on out and party	O' Jays	11.1979	-	28[13]	Philadelphia Int 3727	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][4[15].R&B; Chart]
Girl ,don' t let it get you down/You' re the girl of my dreams [Sho nuff real]	O' Jays	08.1980	-	55[11]	TSOP 4790	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][3[17].R&B; Chart]
Once Is Not Enough/To Prove I Love You	O' Jays	11.1980	-	-	TSOP 4791	[written by B. Sigler, H. Scales][produced by Bunny Sigler][44[11].R&B; Chart]
I just want to satisfy/Don't walk away mad	O' Jays	05.1982	-	101[4]	Philadelphia Int 02834	[written by K. Gamble, C. Womack, L. Womack][produced by Kenneth Gamble, Cecil Womack][15[15].R&B; Chart]
Your Body's Here With Me (But Your Mind's On The Other Side Of Town)/Out In The Real World	O' Jays	07.1982	-	-	Philadelphia Int 03009	[written by B. Sigler, J. Sigler, C. Gilbert][produced by Walter "Bunny" Sigler, Kenneth Gamble][13[17].R&B; Chart]
I Can't Stand The Pain/A Letter To My Friends	O' Jays	06.1983	-	-	Philadelphia Int 03892	[written by Kenneth Gamble/Leon Huff][produced by Leon Huff,Kenny Gamble][35[11].R&B; Chart]
Put your heads together/Letter to my friends	O' Jays	07.1983	45[5]	-	Philadelphia Int 04069	[written by Keni Burke/Kenneth Gamble][produced by Keni Burke][35[9].R&B; Chart]
Extraordinary Girl/I Really Need You Now	O' Jays	04.1984	-	-	Philadelphia Int 04437	[written by Keni Burke/Kenneth Gamble][produced by Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff ][26[12].R&B; Chart]
Let Me Show You (How Much I Really Love You)/Love You Direct	O' Jays	08.1984	-	-	Philadelphia Int 04535	[written by J. Sigler][produced by Walter "Bunny" Sigler][75[5].R&B; Chart]
Just Another Lonely Night/What Good Are These Arms Of Mine	O' Jays	08.1985	-	-	Philadelphia Int 50013	[written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff][produced by Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff][18[13].R&B; Chart]
What A Woman/I Love America	O' Jays	11.1985	-	-	Philadelphia Int 50021	[written by Walter Sigler, James Sigler][38[12].R&B; Chart]
Don't Take Your Love Away/I Just Want Somebody To Love Me	O' Jays	05.1987	-	-	Philadelphia Int 50067	[written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff][produced by Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff][60[8].R&B; Chart]
Lovin' You/Don't Let The Dream Get Away	O' Jays	08.1987	-	-	Philadelphia Int 50084	[written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff][produced by Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff][1[1][20].R&B; Chart]
Let Me Touch You/ Undercover Lover	O' Jays	12.1987	-	-	Philadelphia Int 50104	[written by Gerald Levert][produced by Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff][5[15].R&B; Chart]
Have You Had Your Love Today/Pot Can't Call The Kettle Black	O' Jays	04.1989	-	-	EMI 50180	[written by Terry Stubbs, Derrick Pearson][produced by Walter Williams, Eddie Levert Sr., Terry Stubbs, Gerald Levert, Marc Gordon][1[2][16].R&B; Chart]
Out Of My Mind	O' Jays	07.1989	-	-	EMI 50212	[written by Gerald Levert, Marc Gordon][produced by Gerald Levert, Marc Gordon][11[15].R&B; Chart]
Serious Hold On Me	O' Jays	10.1989	-	-	EMI 50230	[written by Walter Williams, Edfie Levert Sr., Terry Stubbs][produced by Walter Williams, Eddie Levert Sr., Terry Stubbs][9[17].R&B; Chart]
Friend Of A Friend	O' Jays	03.1990	-	-	EMI 50295	[written by Dwayne Mitchell, Eddie Levert, Terry Stubbs, Walter Williams][produced by Eddie Levert, Terry Stubbs, Walter Williams][55[7].R&B; Chart]
Don't Let Me Down/That's How Love Is	O' Jays	01.1991	-	-	EMI 50335	[written by Dwain Mitchell, Eddie Levert, Sr., Terry Stubbs, Walter Williams][produced by Dwain Mitchell, Eddie Levert, Sr., Terry Stubbs, Walter Williams][2[16].R&B; Chart]
Emotionally Yours	O' Jays	04.1991	-	-	EMI 50352	[written by Bob Dylan][produced by Narada Michael Walden][5[16].R&B; Chart]
Keep On Lovin' Me/Love & Trust	O' Jays	07.1991	-	-	EMI 50365	[written by Durain Mitchell, Eddie Levert, Terry Stubbs, Walter Williams][produced by Durain Mitchell, Eddie Levert, Terry Stubbs, Walter Williams][4[20].R&B; Chart]
Somebody else will/Decisions	O' Jays	07.1993	-	104[10]	EMI/ERG 50 462	[written by Gerald Levert, Edwin Nicholas][27[17].R&B; Chart]
Heartbreaker	O' Jays	10.1993	-	-	EMI/ERG 58 054	[66[9].R&B; Chart]
What' s stopping you	O' Jays	07.1997	-	73[11]	Global Soul 34 273	[written by Gerald LeVert][produced by Gerald LeVert][21[20].R&B; Chart]
Baby you know	O' Jays	11.1997	-	76[7]	Global Soul 34 278	[written by Joe Little III/Edwin Nicholas/Keith Sweat][produced by Joe Little III][34[20].R&B; Chart]
Let's Ride	O' Jays	09.2001	-	-	MCA	[written by Steve 'Stone' Huff][produced by Steve 'Stone' Huff][63[14].R&B; Chart]
Make up	O' Jays	11.2004	-	-	Music World	[74[20].R&B; Chart]

Albumy

Tytu³	Wykonawca	Data wydania	UK	US	Wytwórnia [US]	Komentarz
Back stabbers	O' Jays	09.1972	-	10[44]	Philadelphia Int 31 712	[gold-US][produced by Gamble & Huff, Bunny Sigler][3.R&B; Chart]
The O' Jays in Philadelphia	O' Jays	04.1973	-	156[8]	Philadelphia Int 32 120	[produced by Gamble & Huff]
Ship ahoy	O' Jays	11.1973	-	11[48]	Philadelphia Int 32 408	[platinium-US][produced by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff]
The O' Jays live in London	O' Jays	06.1974	-	17[24]	Philadelphia Int 32 953	[gold-US][produced by Bobby Martin]
Survival	O' Jays	04.1975	-	11[24]	Philadelphia Int 33 150	[gold-US][produced by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff]
Family reunion	O' Jays	11.1975	-	7[34]	Philadelphia Int 33 807	[platinium-US][produced by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff]
Message in the music	O' Jays	10.1976	-	20[22]	Philadelphia Int 34 245	[gold-US][produced by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Bunny Sigler, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen]
Travelin' at the speed of thought	O' Jays	06.1977	-	27[16]	Philadelphia Int 34 684	[gold-US][produced by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen, Dennis Williams]
The O' Jays:Collectors' items	O' Jays	01.1978	-	132[6]	Philadelphia Int 35 024
So full of love	O' Jays	04.1978	-	6[28]	Philadelphia Int 35 355	[platinium-US][produced by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Bunny Sigler]
Identify yourself	O' Jays	09.1979	-	16[30]	Philadelphia Int 36 027	[platinium-US][produced by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, Thom Bell]
The year 2000	O' Jays	08.1980	-	36[12]	TSOP 36 416	-
My favourite person	O' Jays	05.1982	-	49[13]	Philadelphia Int 37 999	[7.R&B; Chart]
When will i see you again	O' Jays	08.1983	-	142[5]	Epic 38 518	-
Love fever	O' Jays	10.1985	-	121[12]	Philadelphia Int 353 015	-
Let me touch you	O' Jays	10.1987	-	66[25]	EMI-Manhattan 53 036	-
Serious	O' Jays	05.1989	-	114[17]	EMI 90 921	[produced by Gerald Levert,Marc Gordon, Dennis Lambert, Walter Williams, Eddie Levert Sr. and Terry Stubbs]
Emotionally yours	O' Jays	02.1991	-	73[20]	EMI 93 390	[gold-US][produced by Dunn Pearson,Dwain Mitchell,Lotti Golden,Narada Michael Walden,Ron Fair,Terry Stubbs,The O'Jays,Tommy Faragher]
Heartbreaker	O' Jays	08.1993	-	75[11]	EMI 89 740	[produced by Gerald Levert, Edwin Nicholas]
Love you to tears	O' Jays	08.1997	-	75[10]	Global Soul 31 149	-