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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to build your new James Brown collection..., 2 Feb 2007
It's not easy being a James Brown fan. Currently, many of his original studio albums are so rare on CD that they are almost impossible to find, and instead of making them widely available, record companies force fans to buy armfuls of compilations by including small helpings of rare material on each one. However, the glut of compilations on the market at least make it easy for new fans to make their first purchase, and despite the disorganised back catalogue, further purchases are essential. Why? Because James Brown is the most influential artist of the 20th century, BAR NONE. Here's a quick history lesson: He invented funk, which evolved into disco, hip-hop, modern R&B, techno, house, trance, and every other form of contemporary dance music. They all trace back to The Godfather. Without him, Prince and Michael Jackson would sound unrecognisable. Oh, and he is also the most sampled artist of all time, providing countless new artists with pop, hip-hop and R&B hits over the last 30 years.
So, you need a place to start. Of the many compilations on the market, this is one of the best. Most of the songs you would expect to be here are present, plus the 80's hits 'Living In America', 'I'm Real' and even the rare medley single 'The Payback Mix', all of which many other collections leave out. The funk gets the most attention (as it should), but you get a taste of his early soul material as well. There will always be great songs missing (like 'The Payback' or 'Try Me'), but there's no point dwelling on that. After this, the best place to go is the 4 CD box set 'Star Time', which takes you on a trip from 1956-1984. It skimps on the late 70's cuts, but the 2 CD set 'Dead On The Heavy Funk: 1975-1983' does a great job of filling in the gaps. Post-'84, 'Gravity' and 'I'm Real' are his two best albums. For live recordings, the 'Live At The Apollo' volumes are his most famous, but 'Love Power Peace' from 1971 is arguably his definitive performance.
Hopefully, by the time you've added those to your collection, Brown's back catalogue will be re-sorted and re-released for us all to enjoy. Until then, Soul Brother!
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A legend lives: a superb introduction to James Brown, 18 May 2005
James Brown is truly a legend in his own lifetime. His legend precedes him - Godfather of Soul, the man who invented funk, deeply flawed individual - all true in their way. If you're coming to Brown for the first time there are two things you must do to see how the legend arose in the first place. One is to see Brown's concert footage, and you will realise that this man was the original showman, an entertainer who knows above all else how to work an audience and deliver a stunning performance. The second is to listen to his music, and you'll know that the legend and a long and varied career is based on a truly entralling heritage. Brown demonstrates throughout this fine collection his superb timing, wonderful use of call-and-response, superb integration with his band and backing singers, and above all one of the greatest voices in the history of popular music. It's far more than a voice - it's an instrument in its own right, the most amazing ensemble of screams, whoops and hollas you've ever heard. Even right back to the beginning of his career, Brown took a very basic 50s pop ballad, Please Please Please, and turned it into a unique exhibition of his talents. But to demonstrate the power of that voice, turn to It's a Man's Man's Man's World, a song that makes the hairs on the back of my neck prickle and stand on end to this day. This fine collection doesn't stick to chronological order, but it certainly shows you the highlights of an incredible musical opus, right up to Brown's special recording for the film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. It includes his best-known numbers (the ubiquitous I Feel Good, for example), plus examples of hard-core funk that launched a generation and Brown's flavour of social comment. It's a shame that Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud hasn't been included ("we'd rather die on our feet than keep living on our knees"), but there's still plenty to appreciate throughout this superb CD.
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28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
james brown at his best-the funkiest album yet, 5 Jun 2002
By A Customer
This album just makes you wanna sing along-after hearing most of his songs on adverts,film soundtracks,etc here there are all together.I turned it on & i just wanted to sing & dance.James Brown definately is the godfather of funk.
This album has all his greatest hits-"Papas Got a Brand New Bag" to "This Is a Man's World" , "Super Bad" to "Sex Machine".It also has the very enjoyable but lesser known "The Boss", which you may have heard on Lock,Stock&2 smoking barrels.
This album is must for any funk/soul/James Brown fan
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