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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...
