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Faze-O was a late 1970s funk group based in Dayton, Ohio[1] and produced by Clarence Satchell of the Ohio Players, for whom it was the front band during many live performances.[2] Their 1977 song "Riding High" has been sampled by hip hop artists.[3][4]
Faze-O | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, funk |
| Labels | She Records |
History edit
The roots of the band lie in the predecessor group, Faze 3, a trio that included bassist Tyrone "Flye" Crum. Other members of the original five-piece band that would eventually evolve into Faze-O gradually joined this group. In addition to bassist Crum, the original members during the official shift to Faze-O were Ralph "Love" Aikens (guitar/vocals), Roger Parker (drums), Robert "Bip" Neal (lead vocals/percussion), and Keith Harrison (lead vocals/keyboards). This self-contained unit began writing songs as a group, with individual members contributing various elements, and honing arrangements that suited the feel/style of one member or another.[5] By 1977, the band had completed recording their debut album, releasing Riding High that year. This album's title track became an immediate hit, reaching the top 10 on the R&B chart.
The group went on to release two subsequent albums- Good Thang and Breakin' the Funk in 1978 and 1979, respectively, with the title tracks for both albums being released as singles. However, further success proved elusive. By the dawn of the 1980s, the band had effectively dissolved, with several members moving on to other groups.
Since their dissolution, the band has reunited in various incarnations to perform. In 2011, the group performed in a line-up featuring original members Keith Harrison, Robert "Bip" Neal, and Ralph Aikens at Island Park in Dayton, Ohio.[6]
All five original members reunited on December 17, 2015 at DATV Studios in Dayton to discuss their music and reminisce about their time as a band, as part of a series of interviews conducted by local deejay Stan "The Man" Brooks to commemorate the opening of the Dayton's Funk Music Hall of Fame and Exhibition Center.[5]
Original vocalist/percussionist Robert "Bip" Neal, Jr. died on April 13, 2021.[7][8] Original drummer Roger Parker died on March 5, 2023.[9]
Band members edit
- Keith "Chop Chop" Harrison - Arp, Clavinet, Composer, Fender Rhodes, Keyboards, Mini Moog, Percussion, Piano, Piano (Electric), Lead and Backing Vocals
- Ralph "Love" Aikens, Jr. - Guitar, Talk Box, Lead and Backing Vocals
- Tyrone "Flye" Crum - Bass, Backing Vocals
- Robert "Bip" Neal, Jr. - Percussion, Lead and Backing Vocals
- Roger "Dodger" Parker - Drums, Percussion
Discography edit
- 1977 Riding High
- 1978 Good Thang
- 1979 Breakin' the Funk
References edit
- ^ Robinson, Amelia. "Dayton funk museum open mid-March, honor Ohio Players, other bands". Dayton Daily News. Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ Glassman, Judith (1977). The Year in Music. New York: Gladstone Book. ISBN 0-930748-08-5.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (2001). Funk : [great musicians, influential groups, 1500 recordings reviewed & rated]. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. pp. 174. ISBN 0-87930-629-7.
- ^ Coleman, Brian (2007). Check the technique : liner notes for the hip-hop junkie (Villard Books trade pbk. ed.). New York: Villard. pp. 69. ISBN 0-8129-7775-0.
- ^ a b The Funk group "FAZE-O" reunion interview w/TheFunkCenter. (8 January 2016) @YouTube. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Faze-O LIVE Riding High (26 August 2011). @YouTube. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Rizik, Chris (2021). "R.I.P. Robert "Bip" Neal, lead singer of 70s funk group Faze-O," SoulTracks, 13 April 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Faze-O - Post (13 April 2021). @Facebook. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Obituary for Roger Parker @ H.H. Roberts Mortuary, Inc. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
External links edit
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