Customer Reviews

Reality

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4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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Everyone seems to bag on this album as a sign of James's disaffectation with the band he was firing and the world he was hating, never mind the exhaustion at what was apparently a really deep touring schedule. What I can't figure out is what everyone else is listening to. It's long been known that disaffectation breeds funk, and this disc is no exception. Some of the funkiest jams James ever laid down grace this album, and David Sanborn's contributions will make you forget the name Maceo.

Tracklist
1 Reality 4:41
Written-By - Fred Wesley, Gertrude Wesley, James Brown
2 Funky President (People It's Bad) 4:28
Written-By - James Brown
3 Further On Up The Roads 4:14
Written-By - Bob Mack
4 Check You Body 4:31
Written-By - Fred Wesley, James Brown
5 Don't Fence Me In 3:57
Written-By - Cole Porter
6 All For One 6:38
Written-By - Fred Wesley, James Brown
7 I'm Broken Hearted 4:28
Written-By - James Brown
8 The Twist 4:08
Written-By - Hank Ballard
9 Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) 4:05
Written-By - Anthony Newley, Leslie Briscusse*

Credits
Backing Vocals, Arranged By, Percussion - Fred Wesley
Bass - Gordon Edwards (tracks: 1, 3, 6, 7)
Clavinet - Leon Pendarvis (tracks: 1, 3, 6)
Drums - Jimmy Madison (tracks: 1, 3, 6, 7)
Guitar - Joe Beck (tracks: 2, 3, 6, 7), Sam Brown (tracks: 2, 6, 7)
Producer, Arranged By, Vocals - James Brown
Saxophone [Alto] - David Sanborn (tracks: 1 to 4)
Saxophone [Tenor] - Joe Farrell (tracks: 1 to 3, 6), Pee Wee Ellis (tracks: 1 to 3, 6)

Originally released December 19, 1974.

MYSTIFIED why this album is so overlooked that it hasn't even been re-released on CD?!!!! I guess I accidentally caught the ride on this one when it was pressed for a CD release back in '93 without ever knowing I had a collector's-item-in-the-making. From The first track 'Reality' to 'Mr Funky President' & all the way through, James Brown tells you what's up like a one-man revolution. And between each track, people are heard saying, "Oh, I understand... I see it all now" in an endearingly 70s way. No question ~ the lyrics, James' vocal energy, and the total funkery of the band is not in question on this release. INSTANT classic, which I have played regularly all these years as a staple JB statement. If you doubt this one, you better "turn on your funk motor" and get to the REALITY!

This is another good James Brown album. If you like collecting James Brown music,this is an album you need to have.