James Brown

[El_Jeffe]

the godfather of soul had a career that lasted over 5 decades & his influence has defined & combined so many genres. the soul brother really made the funk genre distinct & was such a powerful force in the evolution of gospel & rhythm & blues into the soul & funk we now know today. he left his mark on so many other music cultures along the lines of jazz, hip hop, disco, reggae, electronica/dance, etc. he did this with such an explosive intensity, combined with such precision & dynamic showmanship. also a notable activist on behalf of lower class african amerians, a real legend

in the jungle groove, sex machine, the payback & obviously live at apollo are all such classics that are held in such high regard & are so important in the history of music


share some love & discussion?

[SkaBum14]

What?

[El_Jeffe]

"get up offa that thing & dance till you feel better!"

this didn't get enough/any love haha

[Smash Adams]

this got nothing- for shame

got to have it soul power

any albums you'd suggest- I need one

[El_Jeffe]

this got nothing- for shame

got to have it soul power

any albums you'd suggest- I need one

good man! my favourite is probably the payback but sex machine is a double album (more bang for your buck & it's a bloody solid listen too) or if you're feeling extravagant i'd suggest the 4 album box collection called star time (i think) which would sort ya out for sure mate

[El_Jeffe]

one of the most important & influential people in music in history. anyone looking at checking this man out, some of my favourite tracks i'd recommend starting with are:

get up offa that thing
say it loud, i'm black & i'm proud
get on the good foot
papa's got a brand new bag
give it or turnit loose
the payback
night train
make it funky

notice no 'i got you (i feel good)," i'm not big on that tune either, but his others are so so good. so don't be put off by that one tune, check some of the above

[chipdip18]

I bought The Payback because Craig rec'ed me it. And it owns. James Brown is amazing. Let's all appreciate the man.

[El_Jeffe]

damn this thread went nowhere fast haha. but i'm really glad you enjoyed the payback mate. brother brown has such a huge discography, but that's easily my favourite of what i've heard so far. but since it doesn't have any of his big hit singles, it's often ignored by people who aren't exactly funk enthusiasts. but truth be told brown's work, this album especially, caters for almost anyone. from soul, hip-hop, funk, reggae, etc fans. even a couple ballad type grooves thrown in for good measure

i actually remember making that list of recc's for ya way back when mate, good on ya for giving something a little different a crack. if we don't search new frontiers, we'll never discover such glory

[chipdip18]

damn this thread went nowhere fast haha. but i'm really glad you enjoyed the payback mate. brother brown has such a huge discography, but that's easily my favourite of what i've heard so far. but since it doesn't have any of his big hit singles, it's often ignored by people who aren't exactly funk enthusiasts. but truth be told brown's work, this album especially, caters for almost anyone. from soul, hip-hop, funk, reggae, etc fans. even a couple ballad type grooves thrown in for good measure

i actually remember making that list of recc's for ya way back when mate, good on ya for giving something a little different a crack. if we don't search new frontiers, we'll never discover such glory

If you didn't steal that line from somewhere i absolutely will. Yeah i saved the list you gave me and i go back to it from time to time haha. It's really an amazing list.

Yeah, the song Mind Power is phenominal. Such a great closer, excellent music and excellent lyrics. This guy is amazing, and it has a beautiful flute solo.

[El_Jeffe]

steal away, it always rings true

agreed, i think it's one of the greatest albums of all-time. such chunky grooves, with a softer blues sound creeping in from time to time. it all makes for one hell of a jammin' listen. 8 songs & about 73(?) minutes of divine art. it's the one james brown album i recc to absolutely everybody, despite much of his 60's material being hailed as greater recordings

it's a landmark funk album. but always remember, in jamaica, toots & the maytals were also making landmark funk music, but with a ska & reggae feel to them also. toots gospel bound vocals & the maytals rhythmically seductive ways never get enough credit from rock music fans. but they were just as defining, if not more, than james brown

[pilot_light_out]

get up offa that thing

[Dr. Acula]

Sex Machine is solid. I need to pick up more of his material.

[chipdip18]

Do it! I have three of his albums now, and i feel like i need more. He's got so much good material.

[El_Jeffe]

Sex Machine is solid. I need to pick up more of his material.

the album or the greatest hits? either way both great. next album on the agenda should be the payback. landmark funk album, so so good, it's also like a founding hip-hop record. if you get to hear it you'll probably understand what i mean

Do it! I have three of his albums now, and i feel like i need more. He's got so much good material.

i know you've got the payback, but which others? the payback, hell, sex machine & get on the good foot are my top four. i'd suggest any of those you haven't got mate

[TheOtherAndrew]

A lot of his songs have been coming up on random lately. I really like what I hear.

[El_Jeffe]

A lot of his songs have been coming up on random lately. I really like what I hear.

awesome! like a lot of past greats, it's the singles that are remembered. yet those 2-3 minute funky sing-a-longs aren't anything close to his best work (same with marvin gaye). his best work was on albums like the payback, where he & his band just let loose on the endless romance of groove, where the vocals were a part of the music, the music was a part of the message. those are the times where brown really created artistic masterpieces. besides one song, everything on the payback is between 7 & 13 minutes haha. but what a rewarding & commanding listen

[Dr. Acula]

the album or the greatest hits? either way both great. next album on the agenda should be the payback. landmark funk album, so so good, it's also like a founding hip-hop record. if you get to hear it you'll probably understand what i mean



i know you've got the payback, but which others? the payback, hell, sex machine & get on the good foot are my top four. i'd suggest any of those you haven't got mate

The album :-) I will get on Payback ASAP.

[TheOtherAndrew]

awesome! like a lot of past greats, it's the singles that are remembered. yet those 2-3 minute funky sing-a-longs aren't anything close to his best work (same with marvin gaye). his best work was on albums like the payback, where he & his band just let loose on the endless romance of groove, where the vocals were a part of the music, the music was a part of the message. those are the times where brown really created artistic masterpieces. besides one song, everything on the payback is between 7 & 13 minutes haha. but what a rewarding & commanding listen
Wow that sounds really good. I'll have to check that album out.

[chipdip18]

the album or the greatest hits? either way both great. next album on the agenda should be the payback. landmark funk album, so so good, it's also like a founding hip-hop record. if you get to hear it you'll probably understand what i mean



i know you've got the payback, but which others? the payback, hell, sex machine & get on the good foot are my top four. i'd suggest any of those you haven't got mate

I've got Papa's Got A Brand New Bag and In the Jungle Groove (which i'm not sure is a legit album) but i'll keep a looking out for the others.

[Jumpoff]

Listening to The Payback right now. So good. Was at starbucks the other day and the guy working was playing some James Brown and it reminded me that I need to listen to the dude more

[insidetheblack]

I love a lot of early rock pioneers, but I've had a hard time getting too deep into James Brown. I like some of his stuff and can appreciate his music and what it meant to rock/soul/funk/etc., but for some reason I can't really truly enjoy it in and of itself.

I've got the 50th Anniversary Collection ... maybe I'll try The Payback album.

[cshadows2887]

I'm an album guy, so his career has always scared me. Live at the Apollo is nice though.

[El_Jeffe]

I love a lot of early rock pioneers, but I've had a hard time getting too deep into James Brown. I like some of his stuff and can appreciate his music and what it meant to rock/soul/funk/etc., but for some reason I can't really truly enjoy it in and of itself.

I've got the 50th Anniversary Collection ... maybe I'll try The Payback album.

I'm an album guy, so his career has always scared me. Live at the Apollo is nice though.

You both need to try The Payback. Although I hope you understand the true sincerity & meaning of the term "endless groove", which is regularly employed on this glorious album.

[SaulZam]

james brown is dead so what's the point in pretending any of us still have some kind of soul

[georgedcc]

The fact that this thread has so little replies saddens me. James Brown is an absolute legend, I'm saddened that I'll never be able to see him live. I have a cd by the Ethiopian James Brown, I can't remember his name off hand, but its kind of awesome/weird.

[cshadows2887]

You both need to try The Payback. Although I hope you understand the true sincerity & meaning of the term "endless groove", which is regularly employed on this glorious album.

Haha. I love Prince's 1999, so long-ass grooves are fine by me.

[El_Jeffe]

http://maurycio.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/james-brown-hell-front-cover.jpg

[georgedcc]

I just listened to Live At The Apollo, its so good. Easily the best live album I've ever heard. I really like the 3 instrumental bridge's on that album. They're like10 seconds long, but they're so funky and fun ha.

[cshadows2887]

FINALLY got around to The Payback. Hot damn. You called it, Craig. So damn good.

[cshadows2887]

Decided to try and track down as many of his out-of-print original albums as I can find. Listened to Cold Sweat first and it's good stuff. Even on the less revolutionary stuff, he sings the hell out of the songs and his band cooks.

[El_Jeffe]

Ahh good man, glad you enjoyed The Payback, a true gem of the ages, & such an important record to all music.

[cshadows2887]

Ahh good man, glad you enjoyed The Payback, a true gem of the ages, & such an important record to all music.

Craig! My man! Good to see you around these parts. What'chu been listening to lately?

[El_Jeffe]

Good to see you too mate, rugby world cup (which is here in NZ) has kept the nation occupied for the last month haha. Umm both new albums from Tim & Neil Finn, Tim Finn's The View Is Worth the Climb & Neil & wife Sharron's new project Pajama Club. Also still listening to The Decemberists - The King Is Dead, & playing a lot of out Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 - From Africa With Fury: Rise & Tedeschi Trucks Band - Revelator.

Looking forward to the new Bic Runga in a couple weeks time. What about you mate?

[cshadows2887]

I saw that there was a release from someone with the Kuti surname but was scared off by the fact that I've only heard one record from Fela. Haha.

And holy crap the Finns put out a ton of material.

I've been listening to a lot of stuff that's prob not so much your speed lately. Though I've been really into Jorge Ben's Africa Brasil, which seems like something you could get down with.

[El_Jeffe]

Seun Kuti's music is most in-line with his fathers, he even writes, records, & performs with his fathers band. So great great stuff.

They sure do, & I love it, the new work is up there with their best works. Really looking forward to new tours as well!

Oh nice mate, Africa Brasil is pretty well regarded & a classic among many.

[chipdip18]

I saw that there was a release from someone with the Kuti surname but was scared off by the fact that I've only heard one record from Fela. Haha.

And holy crap the Finns put out a ton of material.

I've been listening to a lot of stuff that's prob not so much your speed lately. Though I've been really into Jorge Ben's Africa Brasil, which seems like something you could get down with.

Yeah it must have been Seun. He follows his father pretty well.

[cshadows2887]

Been reading again about 1968 when James Brown saved my city. Really fascinating musical lore:

http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/04/03/brown_boston/

And the whole legendary performance is now on youtube:
BawG-N9_FR8