"Make It Funky: The Big Payback: 1971-1975" by JAMES BROWN – Featuring Fred Wesley, Bobby Byrd, Maceo Parker, Vikki Anderson and more (July 1996 UK Polydor/Chronicles 2CD Compilation – Gary N. Mayo Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Papa Don't Take No Mess..."

For many JB fans, this astonishing 1996 compilation on Polydor's 'Chronicles' Series of 2CD Remasters is something of a motherlode. Twenty-Six primo tracks – eight of which are previously unreleased versions – proper annotation and top quality tape transfers from original masters. Indeed, after 20-plus years of reviewing and listening and shaking my ancient booty in anyone's unfortunate direction type-thang – I would go as far as saying that "Make It Funky..." is one of the most satisfying Soul/Funk Reissues out there – evah! 

This is James Brown at his peak - absolutely smashing it with every release. At times - and in the misty hindsight of 2021 (some 45 to 50 years after the event) – it is hard to imagine anyone ever coming near to James Brown's genius in the first half of the Seventies. And of course there is also the staggering shadow JB's music and influence has cast ever since (styles, sampling etc). 

But enough of that, time to get into some hot pants, shake hands with our Funky President and get on the good foot. UH! To the details y'all...

UK released 23 July 1996 - "Make It Funky: The Big Payback: 1971-1975" by JAMES BROWN on Polydor/Chronicles 533 052-2 (Barcode 731453305229) is a 2CD 26-Track Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (US variant is Polydor/Chronicles 31453 3052-2 - Barcode 731453305229):

CD1 (77:26 minutes):

1. Escape-Ism (4:02 minutes)

Part 2 of the song from the August 1971 US album "Hot Pants" on Polydor PD-4054

2. Hot Pants, Parts 1 & 2 (6:55 minutes)

June 1971 US 45-single on People 45-2501, A&B-sides combined 

3. I'm A Greedy Man (7:08 minutes)

From the June 1972 US LP "There It Is" on Polydor PD 5028 - Parts 1 and 2 combined 

4. Make It Funky, Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4 (12:45 minutes)

Combination of four sides from two US 45-singles - the first was August 1971 on Polydor PD 2-14088 (Parts 1 & 2) - the second was October 1971 on Polydor PD 14098 (Parts 3 & 4). Parts 3 & 4 were also issued on the November 1972 double-album "Get On The Good Foot" on Polydor PD-2-3004. This is the first time all four parts have been issued as one long jam. 

5. King Heroin (3:55 minutes)

From the June 1972 US LP "There It Is" on Polydor PD 5028

6. I Got Ants In My Pants (And I Want To Dance) (7:26 minutes)

January 1973 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14162 – the A-side was (Part 1) with the B-side being Parts 15 and 16. This variant combines both sides and adds a small amount more 

7. There It Is (5:47 minutes)

From the June 1972 US LP "There It Is" on Polydor PD 5028. The album split the track into Parts 1 & 2 - this is the full version combined. It was also issued April 1972 as a Parts 1 & 2 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14125

8. Get On The Good Foot (5:44 minutes)

From the November 1972 double-album "Get On The Good Foot" on Polydor PD-2-3004 - also issued as a Parts 1 & 2 July 1972 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14139

9. Don't Tell It (8:25 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Complete Version (recorded January 1973) - a 3:57-minute edit was issued on the December 1976 US LP "Bodyheat" on Polydor PD-1-6093

10. I Got A Bag Of My Own (3:46 minutes)

From the November 1972 double-album "Get On The Good Foot" on Polydor PD-2-3004 - also issued as the A-side to an October 1972 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14153

11. Down And Out in New York City (5:21 minutes) 

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version with Spoken Intro - the February 1973 US Soundtrack LP to "Black Caesar" on Polydor PD 6014 has a version at 4:43 minutes (by James Brown & The J.B.'s) - whilst the February 1973 US 45-single A-side of "Down And Out In New York City" had an edit at 3:15 minutes – this is the first time the full version has been issued

12. Think (3:12 minutes)

April 1973 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14177, A-side only

13. Make It Good To Yourself (Interlude) (2:19 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version - a 22-second portion of this was issued on the Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s June 1974 US LP "Damn Right I Am Somebody" on People PE 6602

Tracks 9, 11 and 13 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on CD1

CD2 (76:43 minutes):

1. The Payback (7:39 minutes)

Full album version from the December 1973 US 2LP set "The Payback" on Polydor PD 2-3007 - also issued as a Parts 1 & 2 US 45-single in February 1974 on Polydor PD-14223

2. Stoned To The Bone (4:00 minutes)

October 1973 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14210, A-side only - edit of a 10:05 minute version on "The Payback" 2LP set

3. Mind Power (4:08 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Alternate Version (recorded February 1973)

4. World Of Soul (5:44 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Session (recorded February 1973)

5. Papa Don't Take No Mess (13:50 minutes)

Full Album Version from the June 1974 2LP-set "Hell" on Polydor PD 2-9001 - track took up all of Side 4 - also issued as an August 1974 US 45-single that edited down the full LP version into Parts 1 & 2 for Polydor PD 14255 

6. Coldblooded (5:04 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Undubbed Version - issued on the "Hell" 2LP-set with overdubs 

7. I Can't Stand It "76" (8:11 minutes)

Full Version from the June 1974 US 2LP-set "Hell" on Polydor PD 2-9001

8. My Thang (4:15 minutes)

Full Version from the June 1974 US 2LP-set "Hell" on Polydor PD 2-9001 - also issued in full as Side A of a June 1974 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14244

9. Funky President (People It's Bad) (4:08 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Original Speed Master - speed-up version issued as an October 1974 US 45-single on Polydor PD 14258 and featured on the December 1974 US LP "Reality" on Polydor PD 6039 

10. I Feel Good (3:02 minutes)

Full album version from the May 1975 US LP "Sex Machine Today" on Polydor PD 6042

11. Problems (2:50 minutes)

Full album version from the May 1975 US LP "Sex Machine Today" on Polydor PD 6042

12. Turn On The Heat And Build Some Fire (6:07 minutes)

Full Album Version from the September 1975 US LP "Everybody's Doin' The Hustle & The Double Bump" on Polydor PD 6054

13. Hot Pants Finale (Live) (7:20 minutes)

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version (recorded 26 July 1971 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NYC)

Tracks 3, 4, 6, 9 and 13 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on CD2

Both HENRY WEINGER and former JB Tour Manager ALAN LEEDS have been at helm of so many Brown reissues - and received special-praise for the stunning Hip-O Select 'Singles' Series that ran to eleven 2CD volumes covering 1956 to 1981 (finished in October 2011, I have reviewed Volumes 4 to 11). Leeds was there from 1969 to 1973 (working with and for the Soul Brother) and proffers superb liner notes and track-by-track recording details in the 24-page booklet. 

Pages 10 and 11 features a black-and-white snap of 'the boys' - the heroes in JB's backing band - Jimmy Nolen and Hearlon 'Cheese' Martin on Guitars, Charles Sherrell and Fred Thomas on Bass, Drummers John Morgan and John 'Jabo' Starks with Horn Players Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, St. Clair Pinckney, Isiah 'Ike' Oakley and "Cheese" Martin. Not pictured but name-checked are other huge contributors including long-time collaborator with JB and founder of The Famous Flames – Bobby Byrd – accompanied by his Vocalist wife Vikki Anderson – both on "Make It Funky". Fusion Drummer Billy Cobham plays on "King Heroin" while Trumpeter and Trombonists Randy and Michael Brecker worked on "I Got A Bag Of My Own". David Sanborn with Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis did their Horn bits for "My Thang" and so on (there are numerous other contributions – too many to document). 

But the real deal for me is the balls-to-the-wall muscle in the GARY N. MAYO Remasters done at Polygram's Studios. The tightness of the band - the groove - the wonderful butt swinging Funk of it all - fabulous. All tracks are in STEREO except "Make It Funky" and "Stoned To The Bone" which are MONO.

Fans will be quietly thrilled by several of the Previously Unreleased tracks – all parts of the singles "Hot Pants" and that monster four-piece "Make It Funky" (none have ever been on LP before). "Funky President" is as originally recorded and mixed and the version of the stand-alone 45 for "Think" is the rare STEREO Mix that got put out in tandem with the Mono variant (they are on Volume 8 of the Singles series). The "Interlude" piece that ends CD1 is a blast – an intense Funk-a-thon snippet that wasn't put on the "Black Caesar" soundtrack. And don't get me started on the holy trilogy of tracks from his run of double-album nirvana - "Get On The Good Foot", "The Payback" and "Hell". 

A fantastic kick-ass twofer that is now surprisingly hard to find in near-mint used condition (for a CD anyway). Papa Don't Take No Mess – James Brown sang on that near fourteen-minute workout. Neither should you, invest, and right soon...

"The Singles Volume Four: 1966-1967" by JAMES BROWN - Featuring Billy Butler, Sam "The Man" Taylor, Ernie Hayes, Jimmy Nolen, Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis, Dud Bascomb, Waymon Reed, Laman Wright, St. Clair Pinckney, Nat Jones, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and Clyde Stubblefield of The Famous Flames with guests The Jewels and The Charmaines (October 2007 USA Hip-O Select 2CD Anthology of Remasters - No. 4 of 11 Volumes of Singles – Alan Leeds Annotation and Seth Foster Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Cold Sweat..."

The 42-Tracks of "The Singles Volume 4..." by all things JAMES BROWN covers releases from February 1966 through to October 1967 – fourth in a truly stunning 11-Volume Series of 2CD-Compilations that has had most fans reaching for the Mr. Dynamite superlatives, and genuinely finding there aren't enough.

Alongside every King, Smash and Bethlehem Records A&B-side, we get the altered mix for "This Old Heart" that appeared on King 6044 ("This Old Heart" is also on Volume 3 in the series as King 5995 for February 1965), both sides of the unissued King 6087 single for "It's A Gas Part 1 and 2" and King 6111 for "It Won't Be Me" b/w "Mona Lisa", both versions of King 6122 because "Get It Together" was issued with two different edits and those lesser-seen Christmas singles too. And of course there are the career/world-altering monster number one hits in the shape of "It's Man's Man's Man's World" and "Cold Sweat". 

Volume Four also has the same spectacular Audio and beautifully presented 28-page fact-filled booklet on Soul Brother No. 1 that all these 45-single anthologies have. The booklet is a feast of fan-pleasing details and memorabilia provided by a team of experts on all things JB Productions - ALAN LEEDS, his manager and pal, being principal among them (it's printed on a sort of sepia-feel paper). It should also be noted too that the eleven volumes in "The Singles" Series for 'James Brown', along with the 'Motown' and 'Chess' Book Set Reissues - has gone a long way to emblazoning 'HIP-O SELECT' as a reissue label dear to SOUL and R&B collector's hearts (they've handled some Rock and Pop titles too). Here are the details...

USA released 19 October 2007 - "The Singles Volume 4: 1966-1967" by JAMES BROWN on Hip-O Select/Polydor B0009472-02 (Barcode 602517407725) offers 42-tracks Remastered onto 2CDs (a Limited Edition). All catalogue numbers provided below are US 45-singles (unless otherwise noted) sided with their peak US R&B and Pop Chart placing (no entry means it didn't chart). Each disc breaks down as follows...

Disc 1, 21-Tracks, 55:03 minutes:

1. Ain't That A Groove Part 1

2. Ain't That A Groove Part 1

Tracks 1 and 2 are King 6025, released February 1966, as by James Brown And The Famous Flames. Both parts amount to 3:33-minutes playing time, so 60-seconds of Part 2 is a repeat of what is in Part 1. US chart peak No. 6 R&B and No. 42 Pop

3. New Breed (The Boo-Ga-Loo) (Part I)

4. New Breed (The Boo-Ga-Loo) (Part II)

Tracks 3 and 4 are Smash 2028, released March 1966, as James Brown. Both are Instrumentals with Part II featuring loops of Part I

5. It's Man's Man's Man's World

6. Is It Yes Or Is It No

Tracks 5 and 6 are King 6035, released April 1966, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. US chart peak No. 1 R&B, No. 8 Pop

7. James Brown's Boo-Ga-Loo

8. Lost In A Mood Of Changes 

Tracks 7 and 8 are Smash 2042, released June 1966, as by James Brown

9. Money Won't Change You Part 1

10. Money Won't Change You Part 2

Tracks 9 and 10 are King 6048, released July 1966, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. US chart peak No. 11 R&B and No. 53 Pop

11. This Old Heart

Track 11 is the B-side of King 6044, released August 1966, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. The A-side is "How Long Darling" which was originally on King 5876 in March 1964 - itself a B-side to "Again" (both of those 1964 recordings are available as Tracks 3 and 4 on Disc 1 of Volume 3 in this series). King 6044 from August 1966 was King Records endlessly plundering his back catalogue once again, but its inclusion here is because the 6044 version is a remix and therefore exclusive. 

12. Don't Be A Drop-Out

13. Tell Me That You Love Me

Tracks 12 and 13 are King 6056, released September 1966, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. US chart peak No. 4 R&B, No. 50 Pop

14. Let's Go Get Stoned 

15. Our Day Will Come

Tracks 14 and 15 are King Smash 2064, released November 1966, as by James Brown At The Organ. The A-side was an Ashford & Simpson song recently made a hit by Ray Charles on ABC-Paramount 10808 in May 1966

16. The Christmas Song (Version 1)

17. The Christmas Song (Version 2)

Tracks 16 and 17 are King 6064, released November 1966 as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. The A-side (a Mel Torme cover) is described as a 'mellow' version sung in the smooth style of Charles Brown, whilst the version 2 cut is in a different key where JB reverts to his own voice. 

18. Sweet Little Baby Boy (Part 1)

19. Sweet Little Baby Boy (Part 1)

Tracks 19 and 20 are King 6065, released November 1966, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames

20. Let's Make Christmas Mean Something This Year (Part 1)

21. Let's Make Christmas Mean Something This Year (Part 2)

Tracks 20 and 21 are King 6072, released late November 1966, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. None of his three Christmas singles for 1966 charted, although this one received most airplay 

Disc 2, 21-Tracks, 63:53 minutes:

1. Bring It Up

2. Nobody Knows

Tracks 1 and 2 are King 6071, released December 1966, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. 

3. Kansas City

4. Stone Fox

Tracks 3 and 4 are King 6086, released February 1967, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. Both sides are instrumentals and this is the last record to credit The Famous Flames. B-side is an instrumental and features guitarist Troy Seals

5. It's A Gas Part 1

6. It's A Gas Part 2

Tracks 5 and 6 are King 6087, UNRELEASED, was to be by The James Brown Dancers

7. Think

Track 7 is King 6091, released February 1967, as by Vicki Anderson and James Brown. B-side is "Nobody Cares" by Vicki Anderson (solo) and is not on this compilation

8. Let Yourself Go

9. Good Rockin' Tonight

Tracks 8 and 9 are King 6100, released April 1967, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. The B-side is a Roy Brown cover – US chart peak No. 5 R&B, No. 46 Pop. 

10. I Loves You Porgy

11. Yours And Mine

Tracks 10 and 11 are Bethlehem 3089, released May 1967, as by Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis

12. Jimmy Mack

13. What Do You Like

Tracks 12 and 13 are Smash 2093, released June 1967, as by James Brown At The Organ

14. It Won't Be Me 

15. Mona Lisa

Tracks 14 and 15 are King 6111, scheduled for May 1967 but UNRELEASED, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames

16. Cold Sweat – Part 1

17. Cold Sweat – Part 2

Tracks 16 and 17 are King 6110, released June 1967, as by James Brown. US chart peak No. 1 R&B and No. 7 Pop

18. Get It Together (Part 1)

19. Get It Together (Part 2)

20. Get It Together (Part 1) (Version 2)

21. Get It Together (Part 2) (Version 2)

Tracks 18 and 19/Tracks 20 and 21 are King 6122, released October 1967, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. Version 2 is a remixed cut at Brown's insistence that adds on a further 25-seconds of playing time.

Like all 11 Volumes in this Hip-O Select 2CD series, the 28-page booklet by noted JB expert and former tour manager ALAN LEEDS and is a joy to look at — a hugely informative read that's packed to the gills with track histories, concert posters (Madison Square Gardens in New York, Latin Casino in New Jersey, City Stadium in Richmond etc), trade adverts, official tour programs, in on the joke smiling cops leading JB offstage at a huge outdoor event during his 'Please, Please, Please' microphone-pleading routine, and of course, a thoroughly detailed recording Sessionography. 

Produced with affection and firsthand knowledge by HARRY WEINGER and ALAN LEEDS (Leeds was Tour Manager from 1970 to 1974) - the inlay beneath the see-through CD tray has the James Brown's Advice advert for truant young African-American kids to Be The Best – Stay At School. 

Photos include inter-departmental correspondence notes for King Records, a fan club badge for loyal Don't Be A Drop-Out supporters, JB pointing at The Flamingo Club neon in the Nevada Desert distance where Flip Wilson is the support act, alighting a jet for his first barnstorming European Tour and in-the-studio shots with Engineer Ron Lenhoff. There is a gorgeous tinted colour photo on the rear of the booklet that has JB with the four smiling white boys of The Dapps at the Living Room Club in Cincinnati, Ohio mid funky routine that literally oozes pleasure (would love that as a poster on my wall).

Cool and smart attention to detail shows that both compilers know what fans want - for instance the song by song Sessionography in the last few pages provides master numbers, band personnel, 45 and LPs with catalogue numbers noted, Disc and Track location etc. The NOTES stretch for one page. So you learn that "Let Yourself Go" appeared in place of "Kansas City" on some early copies – and that "Kansas City" is extended a further 24-seconds on the King LP version. 

As in previous issues, SETH FOSTER has transferred the first-generation master tapes for the single mixes and he's done a truly superlative job — warm, clear and fabulously alive. The word "Limited Edition" is embossed in gold lettering on the rear inlay – numbers are not stated but presumably it's a worldwide limited edition of 5000 copies like its predecessor. Now to the music...

It speaks volumes of his extraordinary work ethic that Brown popped out FOUR singles in November 1966 – three trying to capture the Christmas market – and when that failed – another that wasn’t a Santa-themed message song just in case its groove might catch the holiday season zeitgeist. But you also get to hear the extraordinary - "It's Man's Man's Man's World", "Let Yourself Go", "Cold Sweat" and the huge leap forwards into that Funk grove that "Get It Together" represented. 

I must admit that I could live without the "Porgy And Bess" and "Jimmy Mack" cover versions, but I love the New Breed Boo-Ga-Loo stuff and two of those rare B-sides slipped me by - "Stone Fox" and "Lost In A Mood Of Changes" - very cool stuff. The Audio too – a fabulous feel to each transfer – lifting up the listen so much. 

I've diligently collected this entire series of 11 x 2CD Singles sets for JAMES BROWN - first released Stateside in September 2006 by Universal's highly collectable mail-order wing - Hip-O Select. Stunning is a word often overused - but on these wickedly good Remasters, it hardly does these twofer peaches justice. And his band would only go on to re-route Soul and Funk come Volumes 5, 6, 7 and 8 that take us from the late 60ts up to the early-to-mid Seventies (all reviewed). 

For those wanting to know why Funk happened or simply hear evidence of his relentless musical genius during those amazingly productive years - its an absolute must own. Don't be a drop out JB used to say; well I say, be a drop-in on the whole caboodle...

"The Singles Volume Five: 1967-1969" by JAMES BROWN - Featuring Bobby Byrd, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Jimmy Nolen, Nat Jones and Clyde Stubblefield of The Famous Flames with guests Vikki Anderson, Alfred “Pee Wee“ Ellis, Marva Whitney and The Dapps (February 2008 USA Hip-O Select 2CD Anthology of Remasters - No. 5 of 11 Volumes of Singles Compilations – Alan Leeds Annotation and Seth Foster Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Say It Loud... I'm Black And I'm Proud..."

The 43-Tracks of "The Singles Volume 5..." by all things JAMES BROWN covers November 1967 through to March 1969 – fifth in a truly stunning 11-Volume Series of 2CD-Compilations that has had most fans reaching for the say-it-loud superlatives, and genuinely finding there aren't enough. 

Alongside every A&B-side, we also get mistakenly pressed Stereo mixes, a European Alternate Take different to its US variant and sidebars into JB associated stuff by Bobby Byrd, Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis, Vicki Anderson, Marva Whitney and his backing vocalists band - The Dapps. 

Volume Five also has the same spectacular Audio and beautifully presented 28-page fact-filled booklet on Soul Brother No. 1 that all these volumes have - with a feast of fan-pleasing details and memorabilia provided by a team of experts on all things JB Productions (printed on a sort of sepia feel paper – ALAN LEEDS, his manager and pal being principal among them).

Make no mistake - all eleven volumes of "The Singles" Series for 'James Brown' are superlative 2CD Reissues, and along with the 'Motown' and 'Chess' Book Set Reissues has gone a long way to emblazoning 'Hip-O Select' as a reissue label dear to collector's hearts. Here are the When You Touch Me details...

USA released 29 February 2008 - "The Singles Volume Five: 1967-1969" by JAMES BROWN on Hip-O Select/Polydor B0010411-02 (Barcode 602517536715) offers 43-tracks Remastered onto 2CDs (a Limited Edition). 

All catalogue numbers provided below are US 45-singles (unless otherwise noted) sided with their peak US R&B and Pop Chart placing (no entry means it didn't chart). Each disc breaks down as follows...

Disc 1, 22-Tracks, 66:02 minutes:

1. I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me) 

2. There Was A Time

Tracks 1 and 2 are King 6144, released November 1967, as by James Brown And The Famous Flames. The B-side is a live 3:35-minute edit of a 20-minute track called "Let Yourself Go" recorded at The Apollo Theatre, Harlem in June of 1967. But at the time of this 45-release in November 1967, neither version had been on any album – so was exclusive. US chart peak No. 3 R&B and No. 36 Pop 

3. The Soul of J.B. 

4. Funky Soul No.1 

Tracks 3 and 4 are King 6133, released November 1967, as James Brown and The Famous Flames. Track 4 is an Instrumental of a Bobby Byrd tune  

5. You've Got To Change Your Mind 

Track 5 is the A-side of King 6151, released January 196, as by Bobby Byrd and James Brown. The B-side is a Bobby Byrd solo track called "I'll Lose My Mind" - Track 18 on Disc 2 

6. Bringing Up The Guitar

7. Gittin' A Little Hipper

Tracks 6 and 7 are King 6147, released January 1968, as by The Dapps featuring Alfred Ellis 

8. I Got The Feelin'

9. If I Ruled The World 

Tracks 8 and 9 are King 6155, released February 1968, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. US chart peak No. 1 R&B and No. 6 Pop

10. You've Got The Power 

Track 10 is the A-side of King 6152, released March 1968, as by Vicki Anderson and James Brown. The A-side is a remake of James Brown's own tune available originally as the B-side to "Think" on Federal 12378 in August 1960 - itself a duet with Bea Ford. The B-side of King 6152 was "What The World Needs Now Is Love" by Vicky Anderson (not on this compilation)

11. Shhhhhhhh (For A Little While)  

12. Here I Go 

Tracks 11 and 12 are the instrumental A&B-sides of King 6164, released April 1968, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames

13. America Is My Home - Pt. 1

14. America is My Home - Pt. 2

Tracks 13 and 14 are King 6112, released May 1968, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. US chart peak No. 13 R&B and No. 52 Pop 

15. Licking Stick - Licking Stick (Part 1)

16. Licking Stick - Licking Stick (Part 2)

17. Licking Stick - Licking Stick (Part 1) Stereo Mix

18. Licking Stick - Licking Stick (Part 2) Stereo Mix

Tracks 15 and 16 are King 6166 in Mono (all Promo copies were Mono too), but some copies were mixed into Stereo - hence Tracks 17 and 18. Released May 1968 as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. US chart peak No. 2 R&B and No. 14 Pop. "Licking Stick - Licking Stick" is a co-write with Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis and Bobby Byrd and marks Byrd's exit from the band/Fred Wesley's entrance 

19. There Was A Time 

Track 19 is the A-side only of King 6169, released June 1968, as by The Dapps featuring Alfred Ellis. It is an instrumental Saxophone solo version of the vocal "There Was A Time" issued as the B-side to King 6144 (see Tracks 1 and 2 on CD1). The B-side of King 6169 is an instrumental called "The Rabbit Got The Gun" by "Pee Wee" Ellis (not on this compilation). King 6169 US chart peak was No. 3 R&B and No. 36 Pop 

20.I Guess I'll Have To Cry, Cry, Cry 

21. Just Plain Funk 

22. I Guess I'll Have To Cry, Cry, Cry (Alternate Take)

Tracks 20 and 21 are the American A&B-sides of King 6141, released June 1968, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. Track 22 is the version issued as the A-side in Germany (also June 1968) on Polydor 59226. King 6141 US chart peak was No. 15 R&B and No. 55 Pop 

Disc 2, 21-Tracks, 61:09 minutes:

1. Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud (Part 1) 

2. Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud (Part 2)

Tracks 1 and 2 are King 6187, released August 1968, as by James Brown. US chart peak No. 1 R&B and No. 10 Pop

3. Maybe Good, Maybe Bad (Part 1)

4. Maybe Good, Maybe Bad (Part 2)

Tracks 3 and 4 are King 6159, released September 1968, as by James Brown and The Famous Flames. Both sides are instrumentals and this is the last record to credit The Famous Flames

5. Goodbye My Love

6. Shades Of Brown 

7. Shades Of Brown (Pt. 2)

Tracks 5 and 6 are King 6198, released October 1968, as by James Brown. US chart peak No. 9 R&B and No. 31 Pop. Track 7 released February 1969 as by Steve Soul (Alabama DJ Steve "Soul" Meyers) on King 6216. The A-side of 6216 was called "James Brown - A Talk With The News" but was the DJ name-checking soundbites on previous JB hits and because it doesn't actually feature JB, isn't included

8. Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto 

9. You Know It 

Tracks 8 and 9 are King 6203, released November 1968, as by James Brown

10. Tit For Tat (Ain't No Taking Back)

11. Believers Shall Enjoy (Non Believers Shall Suffer) 

Tracks 10 and 11 are King 6204, released November 1968, as by James Brown. The B-side is an instrumental that features the Bass Line from Brown's 1964 hit "Maybe The Last Time" as arranged by Bassist Nat Jones

12. Let's Unite The Whole World At Christmas 

13. In The Middle (Part 1)

Tracks 12 and 13 are King 6205, released November 1968, as by Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis

14. In The Middle (Part 2) 

Track 14 is the A-side of King 6206, released December 1968, as by Marva Whitney and The James Brown Band. Also issued as King 6214 in February 1969 as by Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis

15. Little Green Apples 

16. Come On In The House 

Tracks 15 and 16 are King 6199, released December 1968, as by Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis featured with The James Brown Band

17. Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose 

18. I'll Lose My Mind 

Tracks 17 and 18 are King 6213, released January 1969, as by James Brown. US chart peak No. 1 R&B and No. 15 Pop

19. Soul Pride (Part 1) 

20. Soul Pride (Part 2)

Tracks 19 and 20 are King 6222, released March 1969, as by James Brown. US chart peak No. 33 R&B and No. 117 Pop 

21. You Got To Have A Job (If You Don't Work-You Don't Eat) 

Track 21 is the A-side of King 6218, released March 1968, as by Marva Whitney and James Brown. B-side was a reissue of the "I'm Tired, I'm Tired, I'm Tired" track by Marva Whitney (not included in this series)

Like all 11 Volumes in this Hip-O Select 2CD series, the 28-page booklet by noted JB expert and former tour manager ALAN LEEDS and is a joy to look at — a hugely informative read that's packed to the gills with track histories, concert posters, trade adverts, magazine covers and a thoroughly detailed recording Sessionography. Produced with affection and firsthand knowledge by HARRY WEINGER and ALAN LEEDS (Leeds was Tour Manager from 1970 to 1974) - the inlay beneath the see-through CD tray has a repro of the R&B News magazine review for SOUL BROTHER No. 1 and his triumphant shows in Africa. 

Photos include JB in the studio at the dials, atop a car giving it some Say It Loud salutes, Soul Santa dressed up in red and white, Marva Whitney trade adverts and even a hairstyle comment telling black kids in the neighborhood to wear their colour natural like JB. There is a gorgeous tinted colour photo on the rear of the booklet that has JB with the four smiling white boys of The Dapps at the Living Room Club in Cincinnati, Ohio mid funky routine that literally oozes pleasure (would love that as a poster on my wall). 

Cool and smart attention to detail shows that both compilers know what fans want - for instance the song by song Sessionography in the last few pages provides master numbers, band personnel, 45 and LPs with catalogue numbers noted, Disc and Track location etc. So you learn that the extended version of "You've Got To Change Your Mind" on the King LP 1030 has three trumpets and three more trombones that aren’t on the single mix – and that "Gittin' A Little Hipper" by Marva Whitney was scheduled to appear on the album "I Sing Soul with James Brown" on King LP 1053 but was not issued – so the single mix is exclusive here. The only clunker/mistake I can see is that the A-side "You Got To Have A Job" on King 6218 (by Marva Whitney) had a James Brown-penned B-side "I'm Tired, I'm Tired, I'm Tired" that isn’t included on Disc 2 when there was room. If you want that track and many more besides, seek out the 1998 2CD compilation "James Brown's Original Funky Divas" on Polydor/Chronicles 537 709-2 (Barcode 31453770928). You'll find Marva Whitney, Vikki Anderson, Lyn Collins and more in stunning Suha Gur Remasters.  

As in previous issues, SETH FOSTER has transferred the first-generation master tapes for the single mixes and he's done a truly superlative job — warm, clear and fabulously alive. The word "Limited Edition" is embossed in gold lettering on the rear inlay – numbers are not stated but presumably it's a worldwide limited edition of 5000 copies like its predecessor (Volume 5 is dedicated to Bobby Byrd, 1934 to 2007, who had just passed). Now to the music that transitioned key horn players Bobby Byrd and Fred Wesley out of and into The JB’s...

Good God, uh, early in the morning, James Brown gets excited when his lady gets all touchy-feely – the "I Can't Stand Myself... " CD1 opener as tight as a nun's winklepickers on a Saturday night out with the gals (live B-side too). But my poison is the fantastic Guitar vs. Saxophone groove in "The Soul Of J.B." and the organ grinder flipside "Funky Soul No. 1" – not a single you hear every day of the week - and one where the A-side is the kind of hep-thing that might turn up on a New Breed R&B compilation CD real soon. Other goodies include the baby-baby-baby groove of the fantastic "I Got The Feeling" – and easy to hear why its cold-sweat groove must have destroyed radio at the time (another No. 1 R&B hit). 

I have to admit that I rushed to the STEREO mixes of that mama come here quick with your "Licking Stick... " – it just leaps out of your speakers (that Maceo solo) with a fullness that is unnerving having been used to the standard Mono mix for so long. Same goes for "There Was A Time" where JB's live vocals are mixed out in favour of a red hot "Pee Wee" Ellis Saxophone solo version – it did the trick and put the incessant groove up to No. 3 R&B. 

It's hard to be rational about "Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud... " – the 'we demand a chance to do things for ourselves, tired of banging our heads against the wall working for someone else' lyrics lighting a cultural torch – amazing stuff. Cool discovery time comes in the shape of the fabulous slow Joe Turner Blues of "Maybe Good, Maybe Bad... " – JB giving it some in your face piano chops that although rooted in the traditional – feel fresh and new. He lent his pleading vocals to the I-believe-you-got-another-man smooch and punch of "Goodbye My Love" – that floating organ note carrying the pain until he erupts again (great stuff). And on it goes to the monster groove in "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose" – the band cooking despite minor mistakes as they take it to the bridge – another No. 1 on the R&B charts in a year where he seemed to be pumping out a winning 45 every month. There are more...  

I've diligently collected this entire series of 11 x 2CD 'Singles' sets for JAMES BROWN - first released Stateside in September 2006 by Universal's highly collectable mail-order wing - Hip-O Select. Stunning is a word often overused - but on these wickedly good Remasters, it hardly does these twofer peaches justice. And his band would only go on to re-route Soul and Funk come Volumes 6, 7 and 8 that take us up to the early-to-mid Seventies. 

For those wanting to know why Funk happened or simply hear evidence of his relentless musical genius during those amazingly productive years - its an absolute must own. Come on in the house, indeed...

"The Singles Volume 6: 1969-1970" by JAMES BROWN (December 2008 USA and June 2009 UK Hip-O Select 2CD Anthology – No. 6 of 11 Volumes – Alan Leeds Annotation and Seth Foster Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Lowdown Popcorn...and...Funky Drummer…"

The 39-Tracks of "The Singles Volume 6..." in this stunning 11 Volume Series picks up where Volume 5 left off  (five having covered November 1967 through to March 1969).

Featuring all his King 45 sides as well as one on Federal and another on Bethlehem – we get pairings of every A&B-side released betwixt late March 1969 and June 1970 along with many withdrawn issues, promo-only DJ mixes, 45s available only through magazine advert promotion coupons etc. Volume Six has the same spectacular Audio and beautifully presented 28-page fact-filled booklet on Soul Brother No. 1 that all these volumes have - with a feast of fan-pleasing details and memorabilia provided by a team of experts on all things JB Productions (printed on a sort of sepia feel paper).

Make no mistake - all eleven volumes of "The Singles" Series are superlative 2CD Reissues and along with the 'Motown' and 'Chess' Book Set Reissues has gone a long way to emblazoning 'Hip-O Select' as a reissue label dear to collector's hearts. Here are the Top Of The Stack details...

USA released 5 December 2008 (22 June 2009 in the UK) - "The Singles Volume 6: 1969-1970" by JAMES BROWN on Hip-O Select/Polydor B0012204-02 (Barcode 602517873599) offers 39-tracks Remastered on 2CDs. All catalogue numbers are US 7" singles unless otherwise noted and beneath the discography info are the US R&B and Pop Chart placing (no entry means it didn't chart). It breaks down as follows...

Disc 1, 20 Tracks, 66:06 minutes:

1. You've Got To Have A Mother For Me - Pt. 1 (King 6223, unreleased)

2. The Little Groove Maker Me (King 6223 and King 6235, both unreleased

3. You Got To Have A Mother For Me (Long Version) (King 6223DJ, unreleased)

4. I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door, I'll Get It Myself) (Part 1)

5. I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door, I'll Get It Myself) (Part 2)

Tracks 4 and 5 are the A&B-sides of King 6224, released March 1969 - Charted No. 3 R&B, No. 20 Pop

6. I Love You

7. Maybe I'll Understand

Tracks 6 and 7 are a King 45 (no catalogue no.) from April 1969 - available only through "Jet" magazine with a coupon

8. Any Day Now

9. I'm Shook (King 6235, unreleased)

10. The Popcorn

11. The Chicken (Tracks 10 and 11 are the A&B-sides of King 6240, May 1969 - charted No. 11 R&B and 30 Pop)

12. Mother Popcorn (You've Got To Have A Mother For Me) Part 1

13. Mother Popcorn (You've Got To Have A Mother For Me) Part 2

Tracks 12 and 13 are the A&B-sides of King 6245, May 1969 - charted No. 1 R&B and No. 11 Pop

14. Lowdown Popcorn

15. Top Of The Stack (Tracks 14 & 15 are the A&B-sides of King 6250, July 1969 - charted No. 16 R&B, 41 Pop)

16. World (Part 1)

17. World (Part 2) (Tracks 16 & 17 are the A&B-sides of King 6250, July 1969 - charted No. 16 R&B, No. 41 Pop)

18. Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn - Part One

19. Sometime (Tracks 18 and 19 are the A&B-sides of King 6255, September 1969 - charted No. 2 R&B, No. 21 Pop)

20. I'm Not Demanding (Pt. 1) - King 6273 and 6322 unreleased - (Pt. 2) King 6273 unreleased

Disc 2, 19 Tracks, 66:40 minutes:

1. It's Christmas (Part 1)

2. It's Christmas (Part 2) - Tracks 1 & 2 are the A&B-sides of King 6277, October 1969 - both cuts non-album

3. Ain't It Funky Now (Part 1)

4. Ain't It Funky Now (Part 2)

Tracks 3 & 4 are the A&B-sides of King 6280, October 1969 - charted No. 3 R&B, No. 24 Pop

5. Popcorn With A Feeling

Track 5 is the B-side of Federal 12551 ("Soul President" is the A), October 1069 as by STEVE SOUL

6. Part Two (Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn)

7. Gittin' A Little Hipper (Part 2)

Tracks 6 and 7 are the A&B-sides of King 6275, November 1969 - first song to introduce the trumpet of Fred Wesley - later synonymous with the JB's and Brown's backing band

8. The Brother Got To Rap (Part 1)

9. The Brother Got To Rap (Part 2) - King 6285, unreleased

10. It's A New Day (Part 1) & (Part 2)

11. Georgia On My Mind

Tracks 10 and 11 are the A&B-sides of King 6292, January 1970 - charted No. 3 R&B, No. 32 Pop

12. Funky Drummer (Part 1)

13. Funky Drummer (Part 2)

Tracks 12 and 13 are the A&B-sides of King 6290, February 1970 - charted No. 20 R&B, No. 51 Pop

14. Let It Be Me - King 6293, April 1970 as VICKI ANDERSON and JAMES BROWN

15. Talkin' Loud And Saying Nothin' Pt. 1 & Pt. 2 - King 6300, King P6359 - unreleased

16. Bewildered - King 6300 unreleased, King 6310 released April 1970 as by JAMES BROWN

17. Brother Rapp (Part 1) & (Part 2)

Track 17 is the 2-Part A-side of King 6310, released April 1970 with Track 16 "Bewildered" as the B-side

Charted No. 2 R&B, No. 32 Pop

18. A Man Has To Go Back To The Crossroads

19. The Drunk

Tracks 18 and 19 are the A&B-sides of Bethlehem 3098, June 1970 - B-side featured in the Falstaff Beer commercial and was written by DAVID MATTHEWS

Like all 11 Volumes in this Hip-O Select 2CD series, the 28-page booklet by noted JB expert and former tour manager ALAN LEEDS and is a joy to look at — a hugely informative read that's packed to the gills with track histories, concert posters, trade adverts, magazine covers and a thoroughly detailed recording Sessionography. Produced with affection and firsthand knowledge by HARRY WEINGER and ALAN LEEDS - the inlay beneath the see-through CD tray has an Apollo Theatre Advert for SOUL BROTHER No. 1 and his Show beginning Wednesday 10 December 1969. Photos include a King acetate for Brother Rapp, an Official Tour Program, the sign outside the International Hotel in Las Vegas advertising Brown as the headline act in January 1970, photos of him in his offices on the phone, snaps of him with key people like Promoter Bob Patton and nods to songwriters like Dave Matthews. There is even the King 45 (without catalogue number) for I Love You available only with coupons for a laundry detergent advertised in the top African American mag of the day. Cool and smart attention to detail that shows that both compilers know what fans want - for instance the song by song Sessionography in the last few pages provides master numbers, band personnel, 45 and LPs with catalogue numbers noted, Disc and Track location etc. For instance Notes will tell you that "Ain't It Funky Now" was mechanically sped up for the King 1092 LP version therefore differentiating the mixes for die-hard collectors. Its thorough and then some...

And again, as in previous issues, SETH FOSTER has transferred the first-generation master tapes for the single mixes and he's done a truly superlative job — warm, clear and fabulously alive. The Mono and Stereo music jumps out of the speakers at you — gorgeous sound. The only cut mastered from mint vinyl is "Let It Be Me" probably due to tape loss. The word "Limited Edition" is embossed in gold lettering on the rear inlay – numbers are not stated but presumably it's a worldwide limited edition of 5000 copies like its predecessor. Now to the music - a mixture of killer vs. filler, withdrawn tracks not usually heard and Fred Wesley making his mark...

Apart from some very famous late 60ts miniskirt jiggling Popcorn grooves and one legendary drum-break sample, is the number of unreleased and withdrawn 45s – and to my surprise – the properly great quality of them. There are eleven and this twofer opens with a cracking threesome – two mixes of "You Got To Have A Mother For Me..." with the Long Version clocking in at a pleasing 5:22 minutes while the cool "Groove Maker" would re reassigned to "Any Day Now" on King 6235 - itself cancelled though 35,000 RCA pressed copies made their way into the marketplace when King was liquidated in 1972. "Give me communication! Give me better books!", the great man shouts on his message song "I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing..." - a wickedly good groove that deserved its No. 3 R&B chart placing (check out that Maceo Parker Sax Solo in Part 2). A King Records single with no catalogue number nor the usual JB face logo gives us the surprisingly good pairing of "I Love You" and "Maybe I'll Understand" - available only through a magazine mail-order promotion for Cold Power detergent - Jimmy Nolen's guitar flicks so damn good. A Bob Hilliard and Burt Bacharach song first covered by the classy Soul Man Chuck Jackson, "Any Day Now" is however the first clunker - it’s just awful and JB seemed to know it. Though it brought him into contact with arranger and songwriter David Matthews (features on Disc 2) - at least the flipside "I'm Shook" rescues the pairing.

But all of that is floored by the stunning twofer instrumental "The Popcorn" b/w "The Chicken" - both sides showcasing a lethal line-up of horn players tighter than a Vatican Tax Evasion form - Saxophonists Maceo Parker and Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley on Trumpet with Guitarist Jimmy Nolen and Bassist Alfonzo Kellum (the B-side was written by Pee Wee Ellis). Yet even that masterclass is trumped by May 1969's No. 1 on King 6245 - "Mother Popcorn..." - a near two million selling belter bearing more than an uncanny resemblance to "Cold Sweat". Hell it even contains JB's officially longest scream. And New Breed Mods would surely shake a talcum-powdered tail-feather to the fab combo of "Lowdown Popcorn" b/w "Top Of The Stack" - a genuinely great A&B-side 45 presented here with fantastic audio. Guitarist Arthur Adams guest on JB's message song "World" that didn't take with the public as much as he hoped it would - perhaps his "...please give a damn..." lyrics coming over as too preachy. Quickly back to Funk business with the fabulous groove of "Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn Part One" b/w "Sometime" - a brand new mini dress hip-wiggler that thoroughly deserved its No. 2 R&B chart placing.

Disc 2 only accentuates the realization that JB was relentless. The Funk just kept on coming. At times it appears he was actually released a 45 every single month - from the slow churchy organ of "It's Christmas Time" to the give-it-some rhythm section for "Ain't It Funky" complete with its 'hit me' break - Maceo slinking it that Horn Solo while drummer "Jabo" Sparks rap-scats with JB at the mike. Brown threw Flute into the superb groove of "Popcorn With A Feeling" (St. Clair Pickney is the player) - a single edit from the 13-minute jam for "Mother Popcorn" actually credited on the 45 label to Alabama DJ STEVE SOUL although he doesn't actually play on it at all.  With Part One still tearing up the charts, JB decided to issue Part Two of "Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn" as an A-side with "Gittin' A Little Hipper (Part 2)" on the flipside but not surprisingly, it was overkill and got lost. In the final stretch I'd have to admit that the vocal duet with Vikki Anderson is another non-no for me but that's more than compensated by stunners like "Talkin' Loud...", "Brother Rapp" and the failure that wasn't a failure - "Funky Drummer" - a song with a legend and history akin to War and Peace. Although it made the relatively lowly spot of No. 20 on the R&B charts and No. 51 on Pop - when hippity-hoppity kids in the 80s and 90s went looking for 'breaks' - they found da biz-e-ness in Part 2 - when at 2:42 minutes (after JB's instructions) - Clyde

Stubblefield gives it some - 10-seconds of Funky Nirvana. Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, Sinead O'Connor and George Michael are just some of the Dr. Dre types to have used the sample. And it ends on the forgotten but equally brilliant "A Man Has Got To Go Back To The Crossroads", a smoocher ballad similar to "It’s A Mans World..." of old. Fab...

By the end of the Seventies, James Brown wasn’t troubling the national charts too much - but at its outset and towards the tail-end of The Sixties (as evidenced here) - he still had tigers in his tanks and a new band/tight sound that would inspire and influence generations to come.

I've diligently collected this entire series of 11 x 2CD 'Singles' sets for JAMES BROWN - first released Stateside in September 2006 by Universal's highly collectable mail-order wing - Hip-O Select. Stunning is a word often overused - but on these wickedly good Remasters, it hardly does these twofer peaches justice. Volume 6 may have a few misses but the good stuff is absolutely corking (five stars) and for those wanting to know why Funk happened - its an absolute must own...