Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee

Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee is the eleventh studio album by the Ohio Players. It was the 8th and last album they would record for Mercury. The title is a unique spelling of the term "jazzy lady." Unlike their last two efforts, the group remained with the nine-man roster that they had with Mr. Mean.

Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee
Studio album by Ohio Players
Released	August 1978
Recorded	The Chicago Recording Company (Chicago), Paragon Recording Studios (Chicago), The Record Plant (Los Angeles), Wally Heider Studios (Los Angeles)
Genre	Soul, funk
Length	36:57
Label	Mercury
Producer	Ohio Players
Ohio Players chronology
Mr. Mean (1977) Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee (1978) Everybody Up (1979)

The group returned to the soul and funk that had been a big part of their sound, since the mellower, jazzier sounds of Mr. Mean (a soundtrack for a film directed by and starring Fred Williamson) failed to move fans and critics. Low sales of that album would also lead to lower-than-expected sales for Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Journal Herald	C[2]

The Journal Herald deemed the album "the cleanest, most antiseptic Players LP yet."^[2]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Billy Beck, James "Diamond" Williams, Marshall Jones, Marvin "Merv" Pierce, Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks, Clarence Satchell and Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner

1. "Funk-O-Nots" (4:48)
2. "Sleepwalkin'" (5:27)
3. "Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee" (8:18)
4. "Nott Enuff" (4:58)
5. "Time Slips Away/Shoot Yer Shot" (7:13)
6. "Dance (If Ya Wanta)" (6:13)

Personnel

• Clarence "Satch" Satchell - flute, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, baritone saxophones, Varitone and vocals
• Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner - guitars, percussion, and lead vocals
• Marshall "Rock" Jones - electric bass
• Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks - trumpets
• James "Diamond" Williams - drums, congas, cowbell, percussion, and vocals
• Billy Beck - Grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B-3 organ, Hohner D-6 Clavinet, RMI Electric piano, ARP Odyssey Synthesizer, ARP string ensemble, percussion, and vocals
• Marvin "Merv" Pierce - trumpets, trombones & flugelhorn
• Clarence "Chet" Willis - guitars, vocals, and lead vocals on "Time Slips Away"
• Robert "C.D." Jones - congas

Charts

Chart (1978)	Peak [3]
U.S. Billboard Top LPs	69
U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs	15

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions
		US [3]	US R&B [3]
1978	"Funk-O-Nots"	105	27
	"Time Slips Away"	—	53