Faze-O

Biography

Faze-O was a funk band formed in Dayton, Ohio, evolving from the earlier trio Faze 3, which included bassist Tyrone 'Flye' Crum as a consistent member. The group solidified into a five-piece lineup featuring Keith 'Chop Chop' Harrison on keyboards and lead vocals, Ralph 'Love' Aikens on guitar and vocals, Crum on bass, Robert 'Bip' Neal Jr. on percussion and lead vocals, and Roger 'Dodger' Parker on drums. They operated as a self-contained unit, collaboratively writing songs and refining arrangements to develop their signature smooth mid-tempo funk style with tight instrumental interplay, layered keyboards, and talk box effects.[1][2]

Produced by Clarence Satchell of the Ohio Players—for whom Faze-O served as the front band during live performances—the group released their debut album Riding High in 1977 on She Records. The title track became a major hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 98 on the Billboard 200, and has since been widely sampled in hip-hop. They followed with Good Thang (1978) and Breakin' the Funk (1979), both produced by Satchell, expanding their sound with extended arrangements and contributions from Ohio Players members like Billy Beck. Despite initial success, the band dissolved by the early 1980s amid waning commercial fortunes.[1][2]

Post-dissolution, members pursued notable careers: Harrison joined Heatwave for Candles (1980) and later the Dazz Band starting with On the One (1983), remaining active as of 2024; Parker played with Slave on Show Time and Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame. Faze-O has reunited sporadically, including a 2011 performance with Harrison, Neal, and Aikens, and a full original lineup reunion interview in 2015 for Dayton's Funk Music Hall of Fame. Tragically, Neal died in 2021 and Parker in 2023.[1]

Fun Facts

• Faze-O served as the live front band for the Ohio Players during many performances in the late 1970s.[1]
• Their hit 'Riding High' reached No. 9 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1978 and became a cornerstone for 1980s-90s hip-hop sampling.[1][2]
• All five original members reunited for an interview in 2015 at DATV Studios in Dayton to commemorate the Funk Music Hall of Fame opening.[1]
• The band's debut album Riding High featured artwork by Gerard Huerta and Todd Schorr.[2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Clarence Satchell - Producer and Ohio Players saxophonist who oversaw their albums and used them as live front band (Riding High (1977), Good Thang (1978), Breakin' the Funk (1979)) [1977-1979]
• Ohio Players (Tight Corporation/Billy Beck) - Production contributions and stylistic influences on funk arrangements (Riding High (1977), Good Thang (1978)) [1977-1978]

Key Collaborators

• Keith Harrison - Original keyboards/vocals, later band projects (All albums; Heatwave Candles (1980), Dazz Band On the One (1983)) [1977-1979, post-1980]
• Ralph Aikens - Original guitarist/vocals (All albums; 2011 reunion) [1977-1979]
• Tyrone Crum - Original bassist from Faze 3 (All albums) [1977-1979]
• Robert Neal Jr. - Original percussion/lead vocals (All albums; 2011 & 2015 reunions) [1977-1979]
• Roger Parker - Original drummer (All albums; Slave Show Time, Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame) [1977-1979]

Artists Influenced

• Fresh Four - Sampled 'Riding High' in hip-hop track ('Wishing on a Star' (1989)) [1989]
• EPMD - Sampled 'Riding High' in hip-hop demo track ('Please Listen to My Demo' (1989)) [1989]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia