The Next Step

James Brown

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 27, 2002)
• Original Release Date: August 27, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red Int / Red Ink
• ASIN: B00006EXL8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #151,024 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #43 in	Music > Indie Music > R&B > Classic R&B
  #45 in	Music > Indie Music > R&B > Funk

Track Listings

1. Automatic [Remix]

2. Send Her Back to Me [Remix]

3. Motivation

4. Sunshine

5. Nothing But a Jam

6. Baby (You've Got What It Takes)

7. It's Time

8. Why Did This Happen to Me

9. Good and Natural

10. Killing Is Out, School Is In

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Originally Release '02, with 3 bonus remixes, "Motivation" , "Good And Natural" & "Killing Is Out, School Is In" that is N/A in the Already-US-Deleted edition. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...In The Right Direction, August 31, 2002

By	p. silverman (USA) - See all my reviews

The James Brown - Derrick Monk collaboration yields a third consecutive winner. Starting with "I'm Back" in '98, on Georgia Lina/Mercury, then "The Merry Christmas" album the following year, on Goeorgia Lina/Groove, now "The Next Step" on Fome Records, new and old fans can enjoy several Grammy-quality cuts.
The new CD has much of the same aural qualities of the Christmas album, a soft-edged chorus underlining the vital lead vocals, spare but effective instrumentation. The opener, "Automatic", is Top 10 material, a successful hip-hop/funk; an engaging melody and rhythm. Track 2, "Send Her Back To Me" is reminiscent of things like "Good-bye My Love", or "I Guess I'll Have To Cry, Cry, Cry" from 1968, an expression of a man's remorse in not following his heart and now trying to retrace the steps. "Nothing But A Jam" is another entertaining commercial cut in the same progressive groove we've witnessed since "I'm Back" - it's listenable *and* danceable. "You've Got What It Takes", with Tomi Rae, sounds like an alternate take of the same tune from the '98 effort, listed as "What It Takes". It's the well-known Pop Classic, with a fresh new fun interchange. The lady is the star on "It's Time", a Soul-retro ballad if you will. The "Please, Please" feel supports the lyric about the positive turning point in a growing relationship.
"Good And Natural" is really the only "James Brown riff" here; it's in the smooth, new groove but is an instant dance-floor motivator.
"Killing Is Out, School Is In", is the recent single, but has some variation in this take.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still The Godfather of Soul!, August 29, 2003

By	Jaime E. Garcia (Cypress, CA USA) - See all my reviews

James Brown, although his voice isn't at it's peak, can still sing with passion and soul. Listen to "Send Her Back to Me" for proof. The production offers horn backed arrangements, excellent backing vocals, and as always, great beats. He offers music that has some of the flavor of his best work, but isn't trying to repeat himself. This is new music (except for "Baby You've Got What It Takes") that offers better music than most recent R&B. Check it out. The Godfather is alive and giving us music we can enjoy and appreciate. The more you listen to this cd, the more you'll enjoy it.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hit&Miss, September 22, 2002

By	[e-mail] "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

everybody that knows Me knows that I think the World of James Brown.the Man is a Walking Music Course&History all onto Himself.Arguably the Most Influential Cat in Music over the past 50 years.but His Work has been Hit&Miss for easily going on 25 Years&this Set continues in that vein."Killing is Out,School is in" reminds me of the Postive Energy&Uplift that Older JB Jams use to Bring.you get that vibe every now&then but overall not much is happening.but nevertheless whenever JB drops a Album I gotta give it a spin or two because He will always Command My Ears though Albums like this&others over the past couple of Decades don't hold my attention like His Older Albums did but still gotta give the "Godfather" a Roll Call.