Ohio Players, Ecstasy | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 100^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Ecstasy” by iconic funk collective, Ohio Players.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 100^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Ecstasy”, performed by 🎙 Ohio Players.

“I’ll never, never, never / Leave her, leave her, no, no.” Who want you ever leave, 🎙 Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner? Why, his baby, of course! Furthermore, “Loving you, loving you / Is ecstasy to me.” 🎵 “Ecstasy” commences the fourth album by iconic funk collective, 🎙 Ohio Players, also titled, 💿 Ecstasy (1973). This particular album preceded the breakthrough, Mercury projects by the collective.  Even so, the song at hand managed to make some noise on the pop charts, peaking at no. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It’s a brief joint but packs a mighty punch.

One of the biggest selling points of “Ecstasy” is the funky production.  From the onset, “Ecstasy” is a surefire vibe – it has you moving your body.  Furthermore, the lead vocals are energetic, expressive, and wild.  Truly, you buy what is being sold through playful, powerful, and sexual vocals.  The songwriting is not deep, but it doesn’t need to be.  The point is made loud and clear: sex, sex, sex! Ohio Players are renowned for their erotic brand of funk and “Ecstasy” ticks off all the boxes.  Sure, later, the collective would do much worse (in the best way possible), but 🎵 “Ecstasy” proved to be a great preface to what’s followed. Also, shout out the rappers, including 🎙 A Tribe Called Quest, 🎙 Jay-Z, and 🎙 Busta Rhymes for sampling this classic!

🎙 Ohio Players • 💿 Ecstasy • 🏷 Westbound • 🗓 1973

Ohio Players, “Ecstasy”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 100 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Westbound; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]