I dig the whole Reality album. In fact, I am actually more into his new new super heavy 70's funk era more so than anything else he did.

I need to go on a JB funk binge.

mrwiggles said:

He did some pretty cool stuff in the 1960s too. I also like the bluesy side of his music. Thinking About Little Willie John, his tribute album to the singer that had just died, is good. But yeah, that 1970-75 period (especially the version of the JBs with Bootsy and Catfish et al) was da bomb!
[Edited 11/12/16 11:19am]

me too!

mrwiggles said:

I dig the whole Reality album. In fact, I am actually more into his new new super heavy 70's funk era more so than anything else he did.

I like his period around 66-69.

214 said:

You'd love these, if you haven't heard them.

I Don't Mind
Baby You're Right
I love you yes I do
Maybe the last time
Is it yes or is it no

Or:
Oh Baby Don't You Weep
Don't Decieve Me
He also does an amazing version of Please Please Please on the Get On The Goodfoot album. James invented the funk, but he was also one of the greatest blues/soul singers ever.
[Edited 11/16/16 12:26pm]

My favorite James period is 67 - 71.

Well yeah I mean the 60's was his decade. He was ruling chyt no doubt. But that Payback record from 74 to me is arguably the all time funk LP. So gritty and down home raw. Take Some Leave Some, Mind Power. Just a stone groove. Even when he took on disco head on with smoldering workouts like Body Heat he was funkin'.

James earlier material like Bewildered, Lost Someone, Try Me etc and his Hammond B3 organ albums are Hidden gems in his discography and which most casual listeners aren't aware of. JBs not a technically proficient organist but the feeling of the songs make them what they are. So whilst James is the master of the heavy funk, he also tried his hand at doo wop, standards, instrumental jams and along with Sam Cooke he helped invent or reinvent soul music and helped make bring it to the mainstream.

thetimefan said:

Oh no doubt. They call Jimmy Smith the "organ grinder" but JB would be grinding that chyt out too. I also really dig that record he did where he was covering those jazz and swing lounge classics, although the exact name of it escapes me right now.
The man just sweat raw soul.

mrwiggles said:

I wasn't just one, many jazz LPs JB put out. Grits and Soul, JB plays the Hits of Yesteryear, Thinking of Little Willie John.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

True dat. Gettin Down To It is the album I'm thinking of.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

There's also a comp called I think "Jazz" with a jazzy cover of "For once in my life". The Willie John record is worth checking out too, I've a fan of Little Eillie John anyway especially "Talk to me, Talk to me". Going a little off topic but the book about Willies life "Fever" I definitely recommend also. Going back to James, he is I think very underrated as a artist, mainstream sees him as just a funk musician but in fact he was very multifaceted. Plus he was a great energetic on stage performer like his peer Jackie Wilson. He even did a hip hop record with Africa Bambara and helped kickstart that genre too with his music being sampled. So his music is threaded through musical history to the 1950s to present and that's an amazing achievement. James Brown deserves a place in the top level of artists, and he's very influential too. James is one of the all time greats for sure.

MickyDolenz said:

My fav JB xmas song is Signs of Christmas.

The blueprint RIP James Brown

mrwiggles said:

That is my take too. Payback, wow. And dig Bodyheat too.

Goddess4Real said:

The blueprint RIP James Brown

Just beautiful and those people were frozen,i mean what's wrong with them is fuckin James Brown people.