Formed in 1972 in Portland, Oregon, West Coast funk pioneers Pleasure combined funk, rock, soul and jazz to create a truly unique sound that is still sampled today. After catching the ear of The Crusaders’ Wayne Henderson, they signed with Fantasy Records where they released six albums. Their third album Joyous has been long sought after by DJs as it has been out of print for forty-five years. This year, Craft Recordings is reissuing this cult classic for the first time since its original release in 1977 as part of its Jazz Dispensary series. The vinyl has been cut from the original analogue tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI.
The album opens with the titular track, a six-minute funk fuel jam that immediately transports the listener to the disco floors of the seventies. It incorporates both jazzy saxophone and sizzling electric guitar solos that give the band their unique flavor and gave the group their first Top 40 hit on the R&B charts. Samples of the title track “Joyous,” can be found in songs by Janet Jackson (Free Xone), LL Cool J (To Da Break of Dawn), and Daft Punk (Around the World – Motorbass Miami Mix). “Can’t Turn You Loose” keeps the party going with its pure funk groove, slap bass and sap thick keyboards countered with a bright, energetic brass section makes you want to get up and dance. The pop-fueled “Let Me Be the One” was sampled by Public Enemy on “Leave This Off Your Fuckin Charts” and is pure disco, with its funky and string section providing the danceable vibe that you want in a disco song. The slap bass intro of “Dance To The Music” lets you know that it’s going to be great song and it doesn’t disappoint with a keyboard solo that will melt your face and a catchy chorus.
Though Pleasure never really broke into the mainstream, it is easy to hear why they are such cult favorites by DJs and funk fans. Joyous is an album that is fun to listen to and can appeal to fans of jazz, R&B, disco, rock and funk. The reissue sounds phenomenal and from the moment the needle drops makes you want to “Get Up! And dance to the music.”
