Customer Reviews

Pass the Peas: Best of the Jb's

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This cd was my initiation into the world of funk, and just as crucial, the magic of the JB's. This cd is ALMOST perfect. Why almost? Not because there's anything bad on it. Quite the contrary, every song kicks and leaves you wanting more. I don't know anyone who can't dig on this stuff. It's "almost" perfect b/c it's too funking short. It's only about 50 minutes long, and the JB's made hours of classic funk. Get this first, then kick yourself later for not getting the 2-cd set instead. There is one exception: Blow Your Head is on this one, but not any of the others, which makes no sense given how sweet it is. If you're not familiar with the JB's, then you are in for such a treat.

This CD gets better and better each time you listen.
No programming required...every track a classic.
There are scattered vocals, so I wouldn't consider it
a purely instrumental CD, but the vocals that
ARE there are wildly entertaining.

...an arsenal of funk! this is music to both START and END your party to! why? BECAUSE IT'S JAMES BROWN AND HIS BOYS AND THEY JUS BE DOIN IT TO DEATH! this is music to check your pulse to.

get the jb's double cd set for all these jams and plus extra funk goodies from jb, fred, maceo and the rest of the godfather's disciples.

There will never be a band as great as these guys. Each tune hits you with that funk that can only belong to them. No other band ever captured their sound and believe me I've heard them all. They have stood the test of time. If you know your music trivia, you will recognize several cuts that have been sampled through the years by rap artist's. No matter what party I attended, it was not jumpin until you heard the J.B.s Who else could back up the Godfather of Soul with such perfection. They were kickin out funk when funk was a dirty word!!! Order this CD and then you'll see what they mean when they say, "Can you gimme some more"?

I've got a bit of a James Brown collection, but not really. I know of a few great songs left off of here like all of "Same Beat" and nevermind, to be honest, these are my favorite JBs songs that I have heard. I have no idea of knowing, but I'm pretty sure that this is a great introduction to a great group that just has a pretty intimidating back catalogue of music. A great starting place. "Hot Pant Road", "Blow Your Head", and "The Grunt" (which should have been the whole song) are classics in my book. These are songs I can thoroughly enjoy at any time of the day. You're bobbing your head and in a better mood the instant you hear it. I just want to mention the bass in "The Grunt" is permanently etched in my brain, it's crazy. I can't say anything original about any of this music, but if you still haven't heard anything James Brown related, and you are the least bit curious. You need to. This music is worth all the hip blathering you may have read in other reviews here. These people may sound a little annoying, but they aren't exaggerating at all. If you have any urge at all get this, please get it. There are plenty of other great songs by them, but these are the songs you tend to go back to a little bit more. It's the best you can do on one CD for the price it is. If you like anything with a beat. You really really should have this

What made James Brown so great? His voice and his invention.

And the band that backed his voice and implemented his invention. This overview of the J.Bs is a lot more diverse than you would expect, some grit, a little jazzy funk, and some synthesizer material. James does not sing here, but the vocal celebrations at times makes you think he is right here, if not around the nearest corner.

This is no dismissible side project. Get it.

FOLKS, IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY FUNKIER THAN THIS........12 GREAT CUTS, EACH ONE FUNKIER THAN THE LAST ONE. FRED WESLEY AND THE JB'S WERE A GREAT BAND WITH OR WITHOUT JAMES BROWN LEADING THEM. I'D SAY THE ONLY OTHER BAND THAT COULD GIVE THE JB'S A GOOD RUN FOR THEIR MONEY WERE THE METERS, WHO HAD A BIT MORE CRESCENT CITY FLAVOR TO THEM. IF YOU CAME TO FUNK, YOU CAME TO THE RIGHT PLACE, OTHERWISE GET THE FUNK OUT OF HERE!

This album is groovey, but it lacks one thing, James Brown's voice. With the exception of a few tracks like "Pass the Peas" (a classic), the album is comprised of JBB funk grooves sans-James Brown. If you're looking for a straight funk album I would look elsewhere, and if you're looking for some James Brown funk, I'd buy an album with him singing on it.

...Like the CD cover says "12 Slices of Funk" and it doesn't lie.
It starts out with the Funky Good Time of "Doing it To Death" and it doesn't let up with the gravy goovin' til the end of "If You Don't Get It Right the First Time, Back It Up and Try It Again". Younger listeners may recognize some of these grooves from what was sampled for the likes of Public Enemy and Heavy D. Also, get a load of young Bootsy Collins and Phelps Collins with Fred Wesley and the rest of the band on that promo photo...jeez, I bet they feel like when our parents pull out the baby pictures to our friends...