Search - James Brown :: Jazz

Mostly first-time CD items!

Phil S. | USA | 06/22/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"With the exception of two [remixed] vocals from recent reissues, and a repeat from the Soul Pride CD-set, we have several rare tracks, going back to that period in "career suspense" with Smash Records.

Re. the above-mentioned vocals, I can't get too excited about a remix of the opener "That's My Desire", from Soul On Top, a session in which where JB didn't write the arrangements, which, to me, are in the wrong key on several numbers, anyway. Added to this, his voice was not in shape on two or three, including "Desire". (Perhaps my third-rate sound system doesn't help the matter). I feel that "I Need Your Key (To Turn Me On)" from that Belson session would have made a perfect track one.

"Cottage For Sale", on the other hand, is a great selection for this set; of course the original vinyl mix lends to the kind of re-engineering, if you will, which gives more presence to the band.

The only previously unreleased tune is "Tengo Tango", jazz-blues, with a repeated "choked" guitar chord veering on a "novelty" effect more suited to Pop, but an edited down pressing could have made some noise back in the mid-1960s.

"Why (Am I Treated So Bad)" is something special for fans and historians -it's actually from the '68 Live In Dallas set issued (save one cut) in its' entirety 30 years later. The mix is fine and the ambience is undeniable.

It seems that the compilers here were going for a spotlight on the organist James Brown, alot more than the exceptional jazz singer and arranger James. There's a terrific cut from the Out Of Sight album, "Something Else", for example which has less (sometimes erratic) exploratory keyboarding, and more *band*. "Back Stabbin'" from Cold Sweat, is another more satisfying try, a real gem in 4/4, soul-jazz all the way; a great choice would also have been "The Thing In G" from the Prisoner Of Love album, a track which features a spoken introduction by Mr. Brown. He sensitively prepares his fans for something new.

But James Brown ultimately proved that he is a force in soul-jazz when he was nominated for a Grammy in the early '80s for "Today", off the Bring It On..Bring It On" album - yet another one which could have improved the collection."

Great music !

Stephen Philip Courtney | bristol, United Kingdom | 06/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fantastic album however if you expected James Brown to be present on every track you will be disappointed. This album has more jazz oriented instrumental tracks than the 'Godfather'of soul singing. That however for me doesn't detract from what a great release this is. Buy it and play it to everyone you know. It wont gather dust."