The Players’ Association
The Players' Association was a New York-based studio group formed in 1977, primarily known for its contributions to the music scene. This collective was orchestrated by drummer and arranger Chris Hills, along with producer Danny Weiss, under the Vanguard Records label. The group aimed to create a distinctive sound that combined various musical influences, showcasing the talented members involved.
They released five albums from 1977 to 1981: The Players Association, Born to Dance, Turn the Music Up!, We Got the Groove, and Let Your Body Go. Popular singles included their cover of "Disco Inferno" and original tracks "Turn the Music Up!" (a UK Top 10 hit) and "We Got the Groove".
While not massive pop stars, they built a strong following in the UK dance scene, touring there and scoring chart singles. The Players' Association left a mark on the disco-funk era with their high-quality, jazz-infused recordings, remaining a favorite among DJs and funk/soul enthusiasts. <div hidden>The Players Association The Players Association</div>
The Players’ Association
A2 Moon In Pisces (Arranged By [Horn And Synthesizer] – Chris Hills 5:27)
A3 Let's Groove (L. Huff, G. McFadden. J. Whitehead, V. Carstarphen 7:16)
B1 Love Hangover (Marilyn McLeod, Pamela Sawyer 6:08)
B2 For The Love Of You (The Isley Bros. 6:13)
B3 Hustlin' (Arranged By [Horn And Synthesizer] – Chris Hills 4:22)
Label: Vanguard – VSD•79384
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Soul, Disco
The self-titled 1977 album by The Players' Association is a quintessential jazz-funk and disco record, known for blending the talents of seasoned jazz session musicians with the dance-oriented sound of the late 1970s.
The album was created by jazz drummer and producer Chris Hills and producer Danny Weiss as a New York-based studio project. It primarily features instrumentally-focused tracks that bridge the gap between sophisticated jazz musicianship and the commercial appeal of disco and funk. The sound is characterized by strong horn section arrangements, prominent bass lines, and synthesizer work.
The album effectively merges elements of jazz, funk, soul, and disco, appealing to both serious music fans and dancefloor crowds.
It features an impressive roster of New York session musicians, including saxophonists Joe Farrell and Bob Mover, trumpeter Jon Faddis, and keyboardist Mike Mandel.
The album includes original compositions and covers. The track "Moon In Pisces" is highlighted as a smooth jazz-funk jam, while their cover of "Love Hangover" (originally by the Supremes, popularized by Diana Ross) is noted for its powerful build-up and prominent saxophone and flute solos.
While another album released the same year, Born to Dance, is often associated with their major hit "Disco Inferno," the self-titled debut helped establish The Players' Association as a cult classic of the disco era, particularly popular in the UK club scene.
Turn The Music Up!
Written-By – Chris Hills, Laurel Dann
6:47
A2 The Closer I Get To You
Written-By – James M'Tume, Reggie Lucas
4:41
A3 Everybody Dance
Written-By – Bernard Edwards - Nile Rodgers
6:48
B1 I Wish
Alto Saxophone – Dave Sanborn
Arranged By – Jack Perricone
Bass – Wilbur Bascomb
Congas – M'Tume
Guitar – Steve Khan
Piano – L. Leon Pendarvis
Tenor Saxophone – Mike Brecker
Trumpet – Jon Faddis
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
5:43
B2 More Than A Little Bit
Written-By – Chris Hills, Laurel Dann
6:27
B3 Ride The Groove
Written-By – Chris Hills, Laurel Dann
6:44
Label: Vanguard – VSD 79421
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Turn The Music Up! (1979) by The Players Association (Vanguard – VSD • 79421) is highly regarded by fans and critics as a peak example of late-70s jazz-funk and disco. The album is notable for featuring top-tier New York session musicians, including the Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, and Jon Faddis, who brought a high level of technical skill to the dance-oriented tracks.
Led by Chris Hills, the group consisted of elite New York session musicians who blended disco, jazz-funk, and soul. The album is characterized by high-energy dance tracks alongside sophisticated jazz-oriented solos.
The title track was a massive club hit, reaching number 8 on the UK Singles Chart in 1979. The second single, "Ride The Groove," also charted in the UK.
The album maintains strong ratings across collector platforms:- Discogs: Averages range from 4.33/5 to 4.7/5 across different pressings. Amazon: Many reviews give it a full 5.0 out of 5 stars, praising its "clean sound" and "spirit session" energy.
While the title track is universally praised, some listeners find the remaining tracks less memorable, though they are still considered high-quality "driving music" or "mellow funk".
The album consists of original compositions and high-energy covers:
Turn The Music Up! (6:47) – The standout anthem featuring heavy disco-funk orchestration.
The Closer I Get To You (4:41) – A more mellow, jazzy selection.
Everybody Dance (6:48) – A dancefloor-ready cover that often draws comparisons to Chic.
I Wish (5:43) – A funky cover of the Stevie Wonder classic.
More Than A Little Bit (6:27) – Described by fans as a "groovy" sleeper hit.
Ride The Groove (6:44) – Highly praised for its funk instrumentation; some collectors consider this track alone worth the purchase.
In essence, it's a sophisticated, fun, and highly skilled album that exemplifies the best of jazz-infused dance music from the era.
The Players Association The Players Association