Expansion Records

Ozone – (Our Hearts) Goin' Out Of Control / Smile

Label: Expansion / Motown (Universal Music Group)

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM)

Catalog Number: EXUMG11 Release Year: 2017 (Original tracks 1981/1982)

Side A: (Our Hearts) Goin' Out Of Control

Taken from their 1981 album Send It, this is a masterpiece of high-energy 80s Boogie. It features a relentless, popping bassline and a sophisticated horn arrangement that screams "Motown transition era." It’s a permanent fixture in "Boogiefied" DJ sets across Europe and the UK.

Side B: Smile

Taken from the 1982 album Lil' Suzy, this track shows the smoother side of the band. It’s a mid-tempo "floater" with lush harmonies and a rhythmic sophistication that showcases the band's Nashville musicianship.

Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures

1. The Teena Marie Connection

Ozone wasn't just a studio band; they were the backbone of Teena Marie's most iconic work.

• The Fact: If you love the funk on Teena's It Must Be Magic or I Need Your Lovin', you are hearing Ozone.

• The Figure: Because they spent so much time in the studio with "Lady T," their solo records carry that same "West Coast Funk" polish that defined the early 80s Motown sound.

2. The 7-Inch Rarity

While Ozone had several club hits, "(Our Hearts) Goin' Out Of Control" was notoriously difficult to find on a high-quality 7-inch "stock" copy.

• The Scarcity: Many collectors were forced to play the LP version, which often lacked the "punch" required for a loud sound system.

• The Expansion Impact: EXUMG11 was remastered specifically for the 45 RPM format, giving the track a significantly heavier bottom end and crisper highs than the original 1981 pressings.

3. The "Nashville Soul" Pedigree

Unlike many Motown acts from Detroit or L.A., Ozone was a Nashville band.

• The Detail: This gave them a slightly different rhythmic "swing" compared to their peers. They brought a tight, jazz-inflected discipline to the Motown roster, which is why they were the "go-to" band for complex arrangements in the early 80s.

4. The Classic Motown "Blue Label"

Expansion took great care to recreate the 1980s Motown "Map" label (the white label with the blue map of the US and the "M" logo).

• The Visual: For collectors of the era, this is the most iconic label design, and seeing it on a fresh, heavyweight vinyl pressing is a major selling point.

Technical Specs for Collectors

• Mastering: Transferred from the original Motown/Universal master tapes. The 45 RPM cut is noted for its "brightness"—the synthesizer stabs on the A-side are particularly sharp, making it a standout "peak-time" record for DJs.

• Tempo: Side A is a high-energy 114 BPM, making it the perfect follow-up to tracks by The Whispers or Shalamar.

Collector's Tip: Ozone records are the "glue" for an 80s set. Because they played on so many other people's records, their sound fits perfectly between Rick James and Teena Marie. If you have EXUMG11, you have a record that works on both the "Funk" and "Boogie" dancefloors.