Customer Reviews

Soul Pride: Instrumentals 1960-69

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While James Brown is no doubt most recognized for such familiar hits as "Sex Machine," "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag," and "I Got You (I Feel Good)," his remarkable skills as a musician, composer, and bandleader are often overshadowed by his flamboyant stage presence. In addition to his role as vocalist, he also spent time on the organ and the drums. This magnificent 2-disc set concentrates on his instrumental work with his various lineups during the decade of the 1960's, showcasing their airtight performances of soul, blues, jazz and funk. Brown's demanding material resulted in a succession of top-shelf players such as keyboardist Bobby Byrd, tenor sax legends "Pee Wee" Ellis and Maceo Parker, trombonist Fred Wesley, and funky drummer Clyde Stubblefield, whose infectious breaks were one of the cornerstones of beat sampling in hip-hop. A pair of live cuts display a couple of the lineups in action, with the 1966 group, the New Breed, doing their signature tune, "Devil's Den," and the 1968 band captured in the spotlight on a fabulous version of Archie Bell & The Drells' "Tighten Up," led by Maceo. Not all of the tracks lack vocals, however. Brown's voice can be heard from behind the drums on "Hold It," as well as on "Devil's Den," "Ain't It Funky Now, Pts. 1 & 2," and "Funky Drummer." This collection represents the other side of the hardest working man in show business, and acts as a nice companion to the "40th Anniversary Collection" or the "Star Time" box set. Pick it up, get into it, and get involved.

Soul Pride is one of those collections that anyone interested in jazz simply must have. There is a big difference between disk one and two. You can hear how much improved the band became. The first disk has a rough edge but loaded with power. Fat Bag and Devil's Den are standouts. From disk two songs like The Chicken, Soul Pride, The Chase,& Sudsy, is group jazz at it's finest. The band is tight and the sound is powerful. And Tighten-up is pure fun with Maceo at the helm,. there is so much good music here it will take months to absorb it all. There is a jazz radio station in Denver and why they never play anything of this set is a mystery. James Brown had a jazz Band that is up there with anyone at the time these CD's are proof of that.

You gotta be kidding - an 18-piece soul/funk orchestra? Every single soul and funk band that followed aspired to this sound. Listen to these discs, notice how much the music that followed over the next 30 years included its attributes, and you'll realize that not only was James Brown the Hardest Working Man in Showbusiness, he was - by far - one of the most talented. Insofar as being an influence, this set cements his place alongside the Beatles, Ray, and the Dowd/Ertegun/Wexler genius behind Atlantic Records.

As important as his hits are, this set is the must-have James Brown recording.

I only discovered today (11/8/04) that such a CD existed and decided that I HAD to have it. I can honestly say that it is worth what I paid for it ($19.99 used but completely intact at my favorite CD store in San Francisco). A lot of signature JB horn section fabulosities as well as some really jazz-inspired arrangements. If you like "Giants of the Blues and Funk Tenor Sax" then you'll appreciate this.

My guitar teacher loaned me tapes of these two CDs. On a 3600-mile road trip they earned pride of place in the car player. Guitar-wise you won't hear anything rock-ish, no fuzz tones, and nothing particularly jazzy. You will hear bare-bones, squeeky-clean R&B, a textbook of the style. JB and the whole band-- horns, drums, bass-- wrote the book on this style, and man does it wear well.

James Brown probably recorded more instrumentals than any other popular singer. This collection features more than two hours of them. All the instrumentals were recorded between 1960 and 1969. The tracks feature the performers who were in Brown's band at the time, obviously. James often played either the drums or organ on instrumentals, but sometimes he didn't actually play at all. These are very funky (sometimes jazzy) instrumentals. Really quite enjoyable.

Unless you are willing to spend the $75 or greater for these two discs, I highly suggest checking out your local library. I was able to get it here in Ohio no problem. I wish I could own it, BUT.....funds are an issue. Some excellent, excellent tracks on this album. Soul Pride Pts. 1 and 2 by itself makes the album priceless.

If you really feel the need for some James, check out these 3 albums.

James Brown - Make it Funky 1971-1975

" " - Foundations of Funk 1964-1969

" " - Love, Power, Peace

There is a very cool progression in JB's concept documented in these discs. The early 60's stuff has an old-timey R&B big band feel, and the arrangements sound like a cigarette break (a monster funky cigarette break) for the featured performer. In the later 60's tunes, maybe because of Pee Wee Ellis's arranging, the band takes on its own musical identity and they sound less like a back-up band. Also, while the earlier tunes are attention-getters, later on JB knew everyone was paying attention and the arrangements become laid back.

It's all smokin' regardless. Lots of cool pictures, too.

You'll never hear another pianist break rules like they're shattered by James Brown in this compilation. Somebody stole it from me. If that was you, bring it back. If it wasn't go buy this set. It rocks.

To Fully Respect The Legacy Of James Brown One Must Hear How He Was as Band-Leader.The Starts,Stops&Grooves&Ideas always Came.Who Knew Just On Beats Alone That James Brown Would Inspire A Whole Generation? Just Hearing The INSTRUMENTALS ALONE Still Blow The Mind.What A TIme Period.ANd More Importantly What Depth Of GENIUS.