James Brown – The Best Of James Brown

James Brown – The Best Of James Brown

James Brown’s reputation as one of the most influential figures in funk and soul is built on an extraordinary catalogue of hard-driving rhythms, explosive vocals and instantly recognisable grooves. The Best Of James Brown brings together 18 essential recordings spanning the many sides of the legendary performer, from the groundbreaking funk of the late 1960s and early 1970s through to the later-era sound of Living In America and Gravity.

The collection opens with some of Brown’s defining funk classics, including Get Up, I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine, Make It Funky, Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, Get On The Good Foot and Cold Sweat. These tracks showcase the tight, rhythm-first approach that helped establish James Brown and his bands as a foundation of funk, with the emphasis firmly on groove, repetition and relentless rhythmic energy. I Got You (I Feel Good), Think and Please, Please, Please also highlight Brown's ability to move between soul, R&B and funk.

The second half brings together further favourites including Living In America, Get Up Offa That Thing, Body Heat, Hey America!, Hot Pants, It's A Man's Man's Man's World and the landmark Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud. The selection also reaches into Brown's later work with Gravity, making this a broad introduction to one of the most important artists in the history of funk and soul. His influence can be heard across generations of funk, hip-hop, R&B and dance music.

A great choice for fans of classic funk, soul and R&B, as well as listeners looking for James Brown essentials such as Sex Machine, I Feel Good, Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, Cold Sweat and Living In America.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Get Up, I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine
2. Make It Funky
3. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
4. Get On The Good Foot
5. Gonna Have A Funky Good Time
6. Cold Sweat
7. Honky Tonk
8. It's A Man's Man's Man's World
9. Gravity

Side B

1. Living In America
2. Get Up Offa That Thing
3. Body Heat
4. Hey America!
5. Please, Please, Please
6. Hot Pants
7. Think
8. I Got You (I Feel Good)
9. Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud