[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...oKpYO7mG3s[/youtube]

Before Rick James hit it big in 1978 with Motown, he had a series of single deals with different labels. One of them was with A&M records, that produced this rare 1974 song Funkin' Around (B-Side Of My Mama)

Thanks for posting that. You could easily hear in 1974 that Rick had his "Stone City" sound down already. The horn arrangements show that. I love the bassline.

And the B-side "My Mama" is pretty catchy. If it had been marketed right it would have been a hit on the rock stations back then.

I wish Rick's estate would put out a box set of his music before and after his fame.

Wow, I love this track! Great horn arrangement! And yep, a Rick James box set is long overdue but somehow I don't think it's going to happen. I hope Hip-O will continue to release his solo albums after their great "Fire It Up" and "Garden Of Love" releases.

Funky as HELL! I've been throwing that one down hard ever since I downloaded it last year. It reminds me a lot of Kool and The Gang's "Rated X"...

.

.

.

[Edited 10/20/10 13:28pm]

Digging that BASS line.............

More rare Rick James before he made his first album....

Great songs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These songs just underline Rick's genius, he's one of the greatest ever. Point blank period.

True innovator