Ozone (group)
Encyclopedia
Ozone was an Funk and R&B group during the late 70s and early 80s, signed to Motown Records
.
band The Endeavors broke up in 1977, three members, Benny Wallace, Jimmy Stewart and Charles Glenn formed a new group, calling it Ozone. The trio later recruited trumpeter Thomas Bumpass, saxophonist William White, flutist Ray Woodard, guitarist Greg Hargrove and drummer Paul Hines.
During their first two years, Ozone performed as backup singer alongside Billy Preston
and Syreeta, who were with Motown Records
at the time. This relationship led to them receiving a deal of their own in 1979. They released their LP, "Walk On" in 1980.
Over the next two years, they released 3 full-length albums on Motown: Jump on It (Non-Charting), Lil' Suzy (#45 R&B, #152 Hot 200), and Send It (#61 R&B). Their final album to be released, the LP Glasses, came also out on Motown in 1983, and which was reissued around 2008 on cd by PTG Records in the Netherlands. The song "(Our Hearts) Will Always Shine" from that album had minor success in the UK.
Although Ozone served as backup to Billy Preston
and Syreeta, they are most remembered for their work with Teena Marie
. They appeared on several tracks on Lady T
in 1980. They were also featured on the song "Chains" from her album Irons in the Fire
that same year. The majority of her songs horn arrangements were handled by Ozone
Marie returned the favor by composing for and performing with Ozone on several of their albums. She even appeared on 4 of the 8 tracks on "Send It" in 1981.
Ozone also aided Bobby Nunn on his 1982 single She's Just a Groupie and his 1983 album Private Party. (Not to be confused with this Bobby Nunn
, they aided a completely different artist)
Even though their biggest hits "Strutt My Thang" and "Gigolette" only peaked at #73 and 55 on the R&B charts respectively, and no other singles charted, Ozone has made its way onto several funk
compilation album
s.
Jump On It (Motown, 1981)
Send It (Motown, 1981)
Lil' Suzy (Motown, 1982)
Glasses
(Motown, 1983)
Bobby Nunn
Ozone at SoulAndFunkMuisc.com
Discography at [ Allmusic]
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
.
History
When the Nashville funkFunk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
band The Endeavors broke up in 1977, three members, Benny Wallace, Jimmy Stewart and Charles Glenn formed a new group, calling it Ozone. The trio later recruited trumpeter Thomas Bumpass, saxophonist William White, flutist Ray Woodard, guitarist Greg Hargrove and drummer Paul Hines.
During their first two years, Ozone performed as backup singer alongside Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
and Syreeta, who were with Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
at the time. This relationship led to them receiving a deal of their own in 1979. They released their LP, "Walk On" in 1980.
Over the next two years, they released 3 full-length albums on Motown: Jump on It (Non-Charting), Lil' Suzy (#45 R&B, #152 Hot 200), and Send It (#61 R&B). Their final album to be released, the LP Glasses, came also out on Motown in 1983, and which was reissued around 2008 on cd by PTG Records in the Netherlands. The song "(Our Hearts) Will Always Shine" from that album had minor success in the UK.
Although Ozone served as backup to Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
and Syreeta, they are most remembered for their work with Teena Marie
Teena Marie
Mary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, was an American singer, songwriter and producer...
. They appeared on several tracks on Lady T
Lady T (Teena Marie album)
-Reception:Released in 1980. The album was produced by Richard Rudolph, and the track "Too Many Colors" features the then 7 year-old Maya Rudolph, daughter of Rudolph and his late wife Minnie Riperton. The album was dedicated to Minnie Riperton. Lady T was the nickname of Marie at Motown Records...
in 1980. They were also featured on the song "Chains" from her album Irons in the Fire
Irons in the Fire
Irons in the Fire is the third album by Teena Marie, released in 1980 on Motown. Her first self produced effort, it was dedicated to her father, Thomas Leslie Brockert. It received positive reviews on its release.-Reception:...
that same year. The majority of her songs horn arrangements were handled by Ozone
Marie returned the favor by composing for and performing with Ozone on several of their albums. She even appeared on 4 of the 8 tracks on "Send It" in 1981.
Ozone also aided Bobby Nunn on his 1982 single She's Just a Groupie and his 1983 album Private Party. (Not to be confused with this Bobby Nunn
Bobby Nunn
Ulysses B. "Bobby" Nunn was an American singer with the musical groups The Robins and The Coasters. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S., and died of heart failure in Los Angeles, California, U.S.-Biography:...
, they aided a completely different artist)
Even though their biggest hits "Strutt My Thang" and "Gigolette" only peaked at #73 and 55 on the R&B charts respectively, and no other singles charted, Ozone has made its way onto several funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
s.
Discography
Walk On (Motown, 1980)Jump On It (Motown, 1981)
Send It (Motown, 1981)
Lil' Suzy (Motown, 1982)
Glasses
Glasses
Glasses, also known as eyeglasses , spectacles or simply specs , are frames bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes. They are normally used for vision correction or eye protection. Safety glasses are a kind of eye protection against flying debris or against visible and near visible light or...
(Motown, 1983)
Featured On
Teena Marie- Lady T (1980) 1 Track
- Irons in the Fire (1980) 3 tracks
Bobby Nunn
- She's Just a Groupie (1982)
- Private Party (1983)
External links
Ozone at SoulwalkingOzone at SoulAndFunkMuisc.com
Discography at [ Allmusic]