Angel (Ohio Players album) explained

Angel
Type:	Album
Artist:	Ohio Players
Cover:	Angelohioplayers.jpg
Released:	March 1977
Genre:	Funk, soul
Length:	40:39
Label:	Mercury
Producer:	Ohio Players
Prev Title:	Gold
Prev Year:	1976
Next Title:	Mr. Mean
Next Year:	1977

Angel is the ninth studio album by the Ohio Players, and the sixth album recorded for Mercury. The band grew from seven to eight members with the addition of Clarence "Chet" Willis on rhythm guitar.

Three singles were released in support of the album: "Body Vibes," "O-H-I-O," and "Merry Go Round." "O-H-I-O" would prove to be a concert favorite, with the band and crowd chanting in unison the letters.

Critical reception

The New York Times deemed the album "a basic kind of rambling funk."^[1]

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. "Angel" (7:28)
2. "Merry-Go-Round" (4:15)
3. "Glad to Know You're Mine" (3:49)
4. "Don't Fight My Love" (4:13)
5. "Body Vibes" (7:10)
6. "Can You Still Love Me?" (4:50)
7. "O-H-I-O" (3:07)
8. "Faith" (5:30)

Personnel

• Billy Beck - Grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hohner Clavinet, RMI Electric piano, ARP Odyssey Synthesizer, ARP string ensemble, Hammond B-3 organ, percussion, and vocals
• James "Diamond" Williams - drums, congas, cowbells, temple blocks, percussion, and vocals
• Marshall "Rock" Jones - electric bass
• Marvin "Merv" Pierce - trumpets
• Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks - trumpets
• Clarence "Satch" Satchell - flute, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, percussion, and vocals
• Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner - guitars and vocals
• Clarence "Chet" Willis - rhythm guitar and vocals

Charts

Chart (1977)	Peak ^[2]
U.S. Billboard Top LPs	41
U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs	9

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions
		US	US R&B
1977	"Body Vibes"	-	19
	"O-H-I-O"	45	9
	"Merry Go Round"	-	77

External links

• Angel at Discogs

Notes and References

1. News: Rockwell . John . Soul Music Still Lives in a World of Its Own . The New York Times . 24 Apr 1977 . D27.
2. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5062/charts-awards/billboard-albums|pure_url=yes}} US Charts > Ohio Players]. Allmusic. 2013-03-30.