"Gonna Take A Miracle" by LAURA NYRO and LABELLE – November 1971 US Fifth LP on Columbia Records (Entirely Cover Versions) – Labelle featured Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash – Produced by Kenneth Gambel and Leon Huff with String Arrangements by Tom Bell – All of Philadelphia International fame (June 2002 US Columbia/Legacy Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Four Bonus Tracks – Mark Wilder, Ellen Fitton and Seth Foster Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Soulful And Heartfelt…"

When I worked the counters at Reckless Records in Soho, London and their Islington branch - Laura Nyro and her high-pitched voice was always a Marmite listen for punters – you either loved it or you needed to leave the room. Here in 2026, five and half decades after these albums - Nyro is still something of an unsung hero amongst aficionados.

But I'd argue that her quietly joyous collaboration with the Soul-Trio Labelle in 1971 (under the supervision and production chops of Gamble & Huff and Tom Bell arrangements - all three pre their Philadelphia International Records fame with The O'Jays, Harold Melvin, Teddy Pendergrass and MFSB) produced an all-covers-album corker that deserves reappraisal – an LP that seems to eternally languish in the forgotten racks of yesteryear - and "Gonna Take A Miracle" should not. 

And as if to reinforce her legend, those natty dudes over at Columbia/Sony have only gone and unearthed four previously unreleased and astonishingly good live renditions with Laura at her Piano in front of a rapturous crowd (May 1971 at Fillmore East in the Village Area of New York). Out there on her own, Nyro holds the rockers enrapt with Rock-Soulful covers – impressive. Let's get to the details…

US released 25 June 2002 - "Gonna Take A Miracle" by LAURA NYRO and LABELLE on Columbia/Legacy CK 85762 (Barcode 886977077227) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Four Bonus Tracks (Previously Unreleased Live Recordings) that plays out as follows (41:49 minutes):

1. I Met Him On A Sunday (1:49 minutes) [Side 1]
2. The Bells (2:59 minutes)
3. Monkey Time/Dancing In The Street (4:54 minutes)
4. Desiree (1:50 minutes)
5. You've Really Got A Hold On Me (4:04 minutes)
6. Spanish Harlem (2:51 minutes) [Side 2]
7. Jimmy Mack  (2:55 minutes)
8. The Wind (2:53 minutes)
9. Nowhere To Run (5:02 minutes)
10.It's Gonna Take A Miracle (3:22 minutes)
Tracks 1 to 10 are her fifth studio album "Gonna Take A Miracle" – released November 1971 in the US on Columbia KC 30987 and in the UK on CBS Records S 64770 – Produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff - 

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing (0:58 minutes) segues into Track 12
12. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (3:00 minutes)
13. O-o-h Child (1:30 minutes) – segues into Track 14
14. Up On The Roof (3:11 minutes)
Tracks 11 to 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED live recordings recorded 30 May 1971 at the Fillmore East, New York with Laura Nyro unaccompanied on Piano. Track 11 is an Ashford & Simpson song made famous by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1968 on Tamla
Track 12 is a Carole King & Gerry Goffin song made famous by Aretha Franklin in 1967
Track 13 is a Five Stairsteps Soul song from 1970 written by Stan Vincent
Track 14 is a Carole King & Gerry Goffin song made famous by The Drifters in 1964 on Atlantic Records

Musicians:
LAURA NYRO – Lead Vocals and Piano
LABELLE – Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash
ROLAND CHAMBERS and NORMAN HAINES – Guitars
LENNY PAKULA – Organ
RONNIE BAKER – Bass
LARRY WASHINGTON and NYDIA MATA – Congas, Bongos
VINCE MONTANA – Percussion
JIM KELTNER – Drums
TOM BELL, LENNY PAKULA and ROBERT MANN – Strings and Arrangements

A team of three trusted names handled the audio – ELLEN FITTON and SETH FOSTER (Engineering) with MARK WILDER (Mastering) – and having played compromised LPs from 1971 for years – the virtually hiss-less clarity they have achieved is shockingly lovely. The sound is not dead but warm and inviting – not compressed but alive. Suddenly their vocals on the gorgeous Marvin Gaye associated Originals song "The Bells" at 1:52 minutes combined with the strings is breathtaking (Patti letting rip too). The 8-page booklet has a short introduction to the LP and its making by AMY LINDEN explaining Nyro worshiping at the altar of Patti LaBelle's lung power – Gamble & Huff at the controls pre-Philly-fame. There are lovely photos, songwriter credits (no lyrics) and Reissue Credits and even a Previously Unused LP mock-up on the last page that was quite right rejected (hideous stuff). It is odd though that the LP issue date is not mentioned (let alone catalogue number) or which song was originally done by who on a whole album dealing with cover versions, but the real fireworks comes with the sound. Songs...

Her fifth album "Gonna Take A Miracle" from Nov 1971 opens with hand-claps and voices - Nyro and Labelle giving in some Acapella Shirelles for their 1958 '…dated him on Tuesday, kissed him on Thursday, he didn’t come Friday…' tale of teenage woe - "I Met Him On A Sunday". Such a cool scene-setting and at only 1:49 minutes it then segues into the sublime – a soft piano and her impassioned vocals for the Marvin Gaye gem (when he was with The Originals, a January 1970 US 45 for them on Soul Records) "The Bells". Even when it ends and heads out with that quiet passage, the Remaster keeps it sweetly unencumbered. Just a beautiful rendition.

Time to bop y'all with a double dose of Mayfield and Motown magic – the Curtis Mayfield written Major Lance hit vs. a Martha & The Vandellas smash - "Monkey Time/Dancing In The Street" meshed into one frantic bopper. But it's at this point that I think (others disagree) the whole project made a mistake. The double-dancer "Monkey Time/Dancing In The Street" is manic and feels too crowded. But when she goes into the less-than-two minute "Desiree" – another gorgeous slowie – you start to think that slowies is what the entire album should have been – an ultra-mellow display of entirely sweet Soul interpretations. The whole album – variants on ballads. When Gamble and Huff introduce Tom Bell strings arrangements to "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" – it really works – but then towards the end they speed up the song and kind of ruin it for me. 

Side 2 returns to conga and bass sweetness with a cover of the Ben E. King Atlantic Records hit "Spanish Harlem" – brass saunters in towards the fade out but not enough to drown or detract – a fab opening to Side 2. Time to shimmy again, "Jimmy Mack" – and you can feel the four ladies digging it as they ooh and aah their way through the hurry back lyrics (Jimmy needs to get home fast). Stunning is the only word to apply to the lonesome echo of "The Wind" – an obscure 1954 Vocal Group 45 by Nolan Strong & The Diablos on Fortune Records which Nyro and Labelle strip back to just hurting vocals. A great example of injecting Soul into something that was Doo Wop - R&B transformed into something truly beautiful. But just like "Monkey Time…" on Side 1 – the Side 2 manic moment comes with "Nowhere To Hide" – its five minutes of trade-off hollers is too much. Thankfully, they end with another smooching beauty in "It's Gonna Take A Miracle" – a 1965 Soul outing for Sheila Ross and The Royalettes on MGM Records. Then we get something spectacular…

Most Bonus Tracks never feel like bonuses – but here Legacy unearthed four live performances where Nyro and only her Piano enthrals an almost silent audience who react with wild applause in-between songs digging her 'feel so tired' emotional singing. The remaster is lovely and if I am honest, I have returned to "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" far more often than I have the faster cuts on the LP (it takes a special vocalist to take on Aretha Franklin and win). 

A very cool CD Reissue and Remaster and here in 2026 it seems inexplicable that Columbia and Legacy did not do "Christmas And The Beads Of Sweat", "First Songs" and "Smile" in 2002 – although 5 November 2025 did see a Remaster of "Smile" (from 1976) with three bonus tracks on Sony International SICP 6721 (Barcode 4547366 766165) and "Nested" (from 1978) with one bonus track on Sony International SICP 6722 (Barcode 4547366766172) as part of their 18-titles strong Hidden Gems In 70s Series. 

Perhaps one day, Laura Nyro will fill the same hipster reverential shoes as Karen Dalton, Judee Sill, Anne Briggs or Jo Ann Kelly – I hope so. In the meantime, check out why devotees speak her name with a thump in the heart and a flush on the cheek…

June 2002 LAURA NYRO CD Remasters

US Columbia/Legacy Expanded Edition CD Reissues & Remasters

1. Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (April 1968 2nd Studio LP) – CD reissue is Columbia/Legacy CK 85763 (Barcode 696998576322) – Three Bonus Tracks

2. New York Tendaberry (September 1969 3rd Studio LP) – CD reissue is Columbia/Legacy CK 85764 (Barcode 886972413822) – Two Bonus Tracks

3. Christmas And The Beads Of Sweat (November 1970, 4th LP) – not issued in this series – Early un-remastered version is CK 30259

4. Gonna Take A Miracle (November 1971, 5th LP) – CD reissue is Columbia/Legacy CK 85762 (Barcode 886977077227) – Four Bonus Tracks

NOTE: More Than A New Discovery (Jan 1967 US Debut LP on Verve Forecast Records - reissued in the 1970s on CBS Records and Columbia as First Songs),  Christmas And the Beads Of Sweat (Nov 1970) and Smile (Feb 1976, 6th LP) were NOT included in this Remaster Series.

"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...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Singles-Six-1969-1970-James-Brown/dp/B001KT318I?crid=RHH9UUAK6CKV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xA9dIHGEtkhBd5rKbLQfLg.TN_JOkWEDRwqgANbJbJNAE0hF-bNt81-1STuuVG23d0&dib_tag=se&keywords=602517873599&qid=1739484601&sprefix=602517873599%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=f5c71d030633a6f4acbf55ed9f111143&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS: Content, Presentation. and Audio *****

"…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...