Pleasure -

Pleasure was an American soul-funk band from Portland, Ore., that released six albums on Fantasy between 1975 and 1980, followed by a seventh on RCA Victor in 1982.

Members: Marlon McClain (guitar, vocals), Sherman Davis (vocals), Bruce Carter (drums), Donald Hepburn (keyboards, vocals), Nathaniel Phillips (bass, vocals), Bruce Smith (percussion, vocals), Denis Springer (saxophone), Dan Brewster (trombone), Michael Hepburn (keyboards, vocals), Tony Collins (trumpet, flugelhorn), Douglas Lewis (guitar), Randy Hall (vocals)

Background

Pleasure assembled in 1972 when guitarist Marlon McClain and the rhythm section of Portland R&B act The Franchise merged with the soloists of local rivals The Soul Masters. The original nine-piece lineup featured McClain, drummer Bruce Carter, bassist Nathaniel Phillips, saxophonist Dennis Springer, trombonist and guitarist Dan Brewster, vocalist Sherman Davis, percussionist Bruce Smith, and keyboardists Donald Hepburn and Michael Hepburn.

By 1974, Pleasure was a popular draw on the Pacific Northwest club circuit, where they drew the support of visiting jazzman Grover Washington Jr. He linked them with producer and Crusaders trombonist Wayne Henderson, who secured them a deal with Fantasy Records.

Dust Yourself Off

Pleasure released their debut album, Dust Yourself Off, in July 1975 on Fantasy Records.

The album blends funk, soul, and jazz across extended arrangements and compact tracks, highlighting energetic, precise rhythms and angular melodic lines. It features guitarist–vocalist Marlon McClain, vocalist Sherman Davis, percussionist Bruce Smith, drummer Bruce Carter, bassist Nathaniel Phillips, saxophonist Dennis Springer, trombonist Dan Brewster, trumpeters Dick Burdell and Thara Memory, and keyboardists Donald and Michael Hepburn, with Crusaders trombonist Wayne Henderson as producer.

McClain, Brewster, and Donald Hepburn hold primary songwriting credits, with David Nichtern’s “Midnight at the Oasis” adapted from the 1974 Maria Muldaur hit.

The material ranges from jazz-tinged funk tracks like “Reality,” “Music Is My Life,” and “Bouncy Lady” to soulful balladry on “My Love,” while “Midnight at the Oasis” transforms the country ballad into a hard-edged funk interpretation. “What Is Slick” mirrors Tower of Power’s rhythmic inventiveness, showcasing the band’s blend of tight funk pacing and improvisational jazz phrasing.

A1. “Dust Yourself Off” (3:50)
A2. “Reality” (5:00)
A3. “My Love” (4:02)
A4. “Midnight at the Oasis” (3:26)
A5. “Music Is My Life” (4:10)

B1. “Plastic People” (3:58)
B2. “Bouncy Lady” (3:55)
B3. “What Is Slick” (5:10)
B4. “Straight Ahead” (5:32)

Sessions occurred at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California, with producer Wayne Henderson and engineer Eddie Harris. Remixes were handled by Henderson and Frank Clark. Bob MacLeod mastered the album.

The lead single, a cover of “Midnight at the Oasis” backed with “Bouncy Lady,” was released in December 1974 as a promotional advance.

Dust Yourself Off reached No. 54 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart.

Accept No Substitutes

Pleasure released their second album, Accept No Substitutes, in August 1976 on Fantasy Records.

The album expands the band’s jazz-infused funk with tighter arrangements and layered keyboard and horn textures. It adds trumpeter Oscar Brashear, electric pianist Jerry Peters, and backing vocalists Augie Johnson and Sylvia Nabors, alongside the core lineup and producer Wayne Henderson. Primary songwriting credits go to McClain, Donald and Michael Hepburn, Dan Brewster, and the band collectively, with external contributions from Augie Johnson and Jerry Peters on the lead track.

Accept No Substitutes opens with the upbeat funk of “Let’s Dance,” contrasts with mid-tempo jazz-funk on “Pleasure for Your Pleasure” and “I’m Mad,” and slows for the quiet storm balladry of “The Love of My Life.” “Ghettoes of the Mind” delivers hypnotic rhythms that became a live favorite, while “Theme for the Moonchild” layers keyboards and horn lines over measured, flexible pacing. The tracks balance angular melodic lines, rhythmic variation, and ensemble interplay.

A1. “Let’s Dance” (5:01)
A2. “I’m Mad” (3:10)
A3. “Pleasure for Your Pleasure” (3:47)
A4. “We Have So Much” (3:29)
A5. “Jammin’ With Pleasure” (2:26)

B1. “Ghettos of the Mind” (5:05)
B2. “The Love of My Life” (4:05)
B3. “Theme for the Moonchild” (5:25)
B4. “2 for 1” (4:22)

Sessions occurred at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, and the Record Plant, Sausalito, California, with producer Wayne Henderson and engineers Eddie Bill Harris and Frank Byron Clark. Rick Collins mastered the album.

The lead single, “Ghettoes of the Mind,” backed with “I’m Mad,” was released in August 1976.

Accept No Substitutes reached No. 32 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart, further cementing Pleasure’s reputation for album-oriented jazz-funk with disciplined ensemble performance and dynamic rhythmic variation.

Joyous

Pleasure released their third album, Joyous, in May 1977 on Fantasy Records.

Joyous continues the band’s jazz-tinged funk-soul approach with expanded horn and string arrangements. It introduces a string section and additional brass, including trumpeters Dennis Christianson and Steve Madaio, saxophonist Herman Riley, and string arrangements by Dan Brewster, complementing core members and producer Wayne Henderson.

Guitarist–vocalist Marlon McClain shares primary songwriting duties with Donald and Michael Hepburn, Dan Brewster, and bassist Nathaniel Phillips, while percussionist Bruce Smith contributes lyrics to “Can’t Turn You Loose.”

The album balances up-tempo funk with slow, layered ballads. The title track, “Joyous,” “Let Me Be the One,” and “Dance to the Music” feature energetic jazz-infused funk lines, while “Sassafras Girl” offers a soft, quiet storm approach. Instrumental textures dominate on “Selim,” closing the LP with measured jazz-funk interplay. Tracks mix angular horn lines, contoured keyboard runs, and flexible rhythmic patterns.

A1. “Joyous” (6:26)
A2. “Let Me Be the One” (5:11)
A3. “Only You” (3:20)
A4. “Can’t Turn You Loose” (4:14)

B1. “Sassafras Girl” (6:46)
B2. “Tune In” (6:37)
B3. “Dance to the Music” (4:50)
B4. “Selim” (3:48)

Sessions occurred at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, and Kendun Recorders, mastered by Geoff Sykes, with producer Wayne Henderson and engineers Eddie Bill Harris and Frank Byron Clark. Columbia Records pressed the album.

Fantasy promoted the album’s release with the title track (b/w “Dance to the Music”) followed in October 1977 by “Let Me Be the One” (b/w the earlier “Let’s Dance”).

Joyous reached No. 34 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart, reinforcing Pleasure’s signature jazz-oriented funk-soul and their capacity for both vocal-driven tracks and instrumental exploration.

Get to the Feeling

Pleasure released their fourth album, Get to the Feeling, in August 1978 on Fantasy Records.

The album expands the band’s jazz-infused funk with tighter horn and string arrangements, Guitarist–vocalist Marlon “The Magician” McClain shares primary songwriting credits with bassist Nathaniel Phillips, percussionist Bruce Smith, saxophonist Dennis Springer, and keyboardists Donald and Michael Hepburn.

Tracks mix up-tempo funk-soul numbers with slower, lyrical ballads. “Celebrate the Good Things” and “Farewell, Goodbye” feature layered vocal interplay over flexible rhythmic patterns. “Foxy Lady” and “Happiness” emphasize contoured guitar lines and keyboard textures, while “Your Love Means Life (Memories)” and “Thanks for Everything” provide softer, measured passages.

A1. “Celebrate the Good Things” (3:26)
A2. “Foxy Lady” (3:30)
A3. “Ladies’ Night Out” (4:38)
A4. “Happiness” (3:47)
A5. “Get to the Feeling” (4:21)

B1. “Farewell, Goodbye” (4:55)
B2. “Your Love Means Life (Memories)” (5:02)
B3. “Thanks for Everything” (4:23)
B4. “No Matter What” (4:55)

Sessions occurred at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, and Record Plant, Sausalito, with producer Wayne Henderson and engineers Reginald Dozier and Al Schmitt, Jr., remixed by Frank Byron Clark with Bob Higgins assisting.

Fantasy promoted the album’s release with the title track (b/w “Your Love Means Life (Memories)”) followed in November 1978 by “Happiness” (b/w “Ladies Night Out”).

Get to the Feeling reached No. 42 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart.

Future Now

Pleasure released their fifth album, Future Now, in August 1979 on Fantasy Records.

The nine-piece core includes guitarist–vocalist Marlon “The Magician” McClain, keyboardists and vocalists Michael and Donald Hepburn, bassist Nathaniel Phillips, drummer Bruce Carter, percussionist Bruce Smith, saxophonist Dennis Springer, trumpeter/flugelhornist Tony Collins, and lead vocalist Sherman Davis. Guitarist Douglas Lewis (of Jeff Lorber’s Fusion) guests on “Universal” and “Space Is the Place.”

Michael Hepburn composed the bulk of the material, joined on “Future Now” by Marlon McClain and C. Debnam. McClain co-wrote “Strong Love,” “Nothin’ to It,” and contributed to “Dedication to the Past” with Hepburn, Phillips, and Carter. Nathaniel Phillips wrote “Departure” and co-wrote “Glide” and “Space Is the Place” with Bruce Smith, who also co-wrote “Thoughts of Old Flames” with Donald Hepburn. Douglas Lewis contributed to “Universal” and “Space Is the Place.”

The album balances uptempo funk numbers and smooth, quiet storm cuts. “Glide” drives with slapping bass, heavy drums, and synth accents, while “Nothin’ To It” and “Space Is The Place” sustain rhythmic intensity. “Strong Love” and “Thoughts Of Old Flames” offer contoured vocal lines over layered keys and horns. Short tracks “Departure” and “Dedication To The Past” provide connective motifs that open and close the LP.

A1. “Departure” (0:44)
A2. “Future Now” (5:34)
A3. “Universal” (3:17)
A4. “Space Is the Place” (4:10)
A5. “Strong Love” (4:42)

B1. “The Real Thing” (5:40)
B2. “Nothin’ to It” (4:07)
B3. “Thoughts of Old Flames” (4:11)
B4. “Glide” (6:24)
B5. “Dedication to the Past” (0:38)

Sessions occurred at Fantasy Studios with the band producing and Marlon McClain and Phil Kaffel co-producing. Wally Buck and Phil Kaffel handled recording, with Kaffel also remixing. Mastering occurred under David Turner and Joe Gastwirt.

Auxiliary players contribute alto/tenor saxophone (Larry Williams, Dennis Springer), trombone (Bill Reichenbach, Lew McCreary), trumpet (Jerry Hey), synthesizer programming (Tim Gorman, Jeff Lorber), and backing vocals (Clydene Jackson, Julia Tillman Waters, Maxine Willard Waters, Pat Henderson).

Future Now features cover art by Dennis Gassner and Jamie Putnam, with art direction by Phil Carroll and design by Gassner. Photography was by Phil Bray.

Fantasy promoted the album’s release with “Future Now” (b/w “Dedication to the Past”), followed in October 1979 by “Glide” (b/w “Thoughts of Old Flames”), which reached No. 10 on the R&B Singles Chart and No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100. In March 1980, “The Real Thing” became the third single (b/w “Nothin’ to It”) and reached No 27 on the R&B Chart.

Special Things

Pleasure released their sixth album, Special Things, in June 1980 on Fantasy Records.

The album extends the band’s jazz-infused funk with layered keyboard and horn textures and tight rhythm sections. The lineup includes guitarist–vocalist Marlon McClain, keyboardists Michael and Donald Hepburn, bassist Nathaniel Phillips, drummer Bruce Carter, percussionist Bruce Smith, saxophonist Dennis Springer, trumpeters Jerry Hey and Tony Collins, lead vocalist Sherman Davis, and guest guitarist Douglas Lewis. Alto saxophonist Larry Williams, synthesizer programmer Tim Gorman, and backing vocalists Marti McCall, Maxine and Julia Waters augment the arrangements.

Michael Hepburn wrote or co-wrote most tracks, including “Now You Choose Me,” “Take a Chance,” and “Living Without You.” Nathaniel Phillips contributed “Special Things” and co-wrote “Spread That Feelin’ (All Around)” and “Yearnin’ Burnin’,” which also includes writing credits from McClain, Donald Hepburn, and Bruce Carter. Douglas Lewis co-wrote “Law of the Raw,” and Fred Reed, Jr. supplied lyrics on “Living Without You.”

The album balances funk-driven tracks and slower, smooth numbers. “Take a Chance” features falsetto vocals, sparse guitars, and contoured basslines that anchor the track, while “Yearnin’ Burnin’” delivers extended rhythmic drive with layered instrumentation. “Now You Choose Me” and “Spread That Feelin’ (All Around)” combine precise rhythm with sharp melodic turns, and “You Are My Star” closes the album with a brief, intimate arrangement.

A1. “Now You Choose Me” (4:59)
A2. “Special Things” (4:40)
A3. “Yearnin’ Burnin'” (4:59)
A4. “Law of the Raw” (2:53)

B1. “Take a Chance” (6:40)
B2. “Living Without You” (4:35)
B3. “Spread That Feelin’ (All Around)” (4:21)
B4. “You Are My Star” (2:12)

Sessions occurred at Fantasy Studios with 360° Music, Inc. producing, and Michael Hepburn, Nathaniel Phillips, and Phil Kaffel co-producing. Tim Gorman programmed synthesizers.

Special Things features art direction and design by Phil Carroll and photography by Phil Bray.

Fantasy promoted the album with the single “Yearnin’ Burnin’” (b/w “Law of the Raw”), followed in September 1980 by “Now You Choose Me” (b/w “Spread That Feelin’ (All Around),” No. 27 R&B).

Give It Up

Pleasure released their seventh album, Give It Up, in February 1982 on Fantasy Records.

The album presents a polished funk-soul sound with layered keyboards, precise rhythms, and rich vocal arrangements. The core seven-piece lineup includes guitarist Douglas Lewis, keyboardists Michael and Donald Hepburn, bassist Nathaniel Phillips, drummer Bruce Carter, percussionists Jimmy Maelen and Pete Escovedo Jr., and lead vocalists Michael Hepburn, Randy Hall, and Sherman Davis. Additional backing vocals come from Fonzi Thornton, Kevin Owens, and Phillip Ballou, with synthesizers programmed by Pat Gleeson and Kashif.

Donald Hepburn wrote or co-wrote most tracks, including “Sending My Love,” “What’s It Gonna Be,” “Sassy Baby,” and “All the Way.” Nathaniel Phillips co-wrote “Give It Up” and “All the Way.” Michael Hepburn contributed “Carolyn” and co-wrote “What’s It Gonna Be,” while Douglas Lewis and Sherman Davis joined Phillips and Robert Wright on “Give It Up.” Robert Wright co-wrote several tracks, including “It’s So Hard” with Barry Hawes and “Take It to the Streets” with the band. Pat Gleeson contributed the opening track, “Beginnings.”

Musically, the album divides between side A’s smoother, jazz-tinged funk and side B’s rhythmic, vocal-driven tracks. “Sending My Love” and “What’s It Gonna Be” combine contoured melodies with layered synth textures, while “Give It Up” drives forward with precise rhythmic variations and tight ensemble interplay. Shorter pieces like “Beginnings” and “Carolyn” provide interludes and transitions between the album’s fuller arrangements.

A1. “Beginnings” (1:06)
A2. “Give It Up” (4:54)
A3. “Sending My Love” (5:26)
A4. “What’s It Gonna Be” (4:40)
A5. “Take It to the Streets” (4:08)

B1. “Sassy Baby” (5:12)
B2. “It’s So Hard” (5:03)
B3. “Carolyn” (1:14)
B4. “All the Way” (4:01)
B5. “Stone Love” (3:01)

Sessions occurred at Different Fur, San Francisco, with Pleasure and Robert Wright producing, Michael H. Brauer co-producing, and Greg Calbi mastering. Pat Gleeson programmed Synclavier II synthesizers, with Kashif on additional synthesizers.

Fantasy promoted the album with the single “Give It Up” (b/w “All the Way”) in May 1982, which coincided with the album reaching No. 30 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart.

Discography: