JAMES BROWN REISSUES: HOT PANTS, THERE IT IS, IT'S A BRAND NEW DAY - LET A MAN COME ON, BODYHEAT, SLAUGHTER'S BIG RIP-OFF

JAMES BROWN – HOT PANTS

James Brown really opens up on this early 70s classic – really showing the world the amazing groove he was crafting with his band – who were let loose to jam in the studio, spinning out some really long grooves – which were then cut down to make this sweet little record! The title cut was a big single for James at the time, but it's presented here in its full 9 minute version – a monstrous jam that's equal to anything on the Payback record, or the JBs albums too – and the album also includes the long two-part take of "Escapism", and another funky gem – "Blues & Pants", which snaps along for a solid 9 minutes too! The album's filled with heavy funk, and the longer tracks allow for plenty of instrumental flourishes from Fred, Maceo, and the other JBs – and honestly, the record is more of a People Records session than a Polydor record from James. Includes a monster of a bonus track: the 19+ minute complete take of "Escape-ism". ~ Dusty Groove

JAMES BROWN – THERE IT IS

Raw power and righteous energy from James Brown – a set that still has all the best funk elements of his longer-form albums of the time, but which also packs an even stronger political message too! The vibe of the record is clear from the image on the cover – the most powerful since Payback – and James is even more focused in the lyrics, which bite harder than some of his other commentary of the period – while still allowing the JBs plenty of room to serve up some heavy funk in the process! Titles include the classics "Public Enemy #1" and "King Heroin", both hard soul political tracks – and the funkier side of The Godfather is represented by the killer cuts "Talkin Loud & Sayin Nothing" and James own version of "I Need Help" (which was also recorded by Bobby Byrd). The album also includes a great duet with Vicki Anderson on "Who Am I", the excellent title cut "There It Is", and a surprisingly nice version of "Never Can Say Goodbye" – as well as the single "I'm A Greedy Man". ~ Dusty Groove

JAMES BROWN – IT’S A NEW DAY – LET A MAN COME IN

Further genius from James Brown at the start of the 70s – a record that's starting to show some of the more open-ended grooves he'd explore with the JBs on their own albums – longer, stretched-out tracks that are way more than simple funk and soul! There's a sense of freewheeling energy here that's totally great – dynamic, powerful calls from James at the top of most tunes – and incredibly sharp work on horns and rhythm from the band – cutting grooves and turning lines like no other combo in the business, all with a great mix of deep soul and hard funk! The album features the 7 minute killer version of "Let a Man Come In & Do The Popcorn", plus "World (parts 1 & 2)", "It's A New Day (parts 1 & 2)", "Give It Up or Turn It Loose", "If I Ruled The World", "The Man In The Glass (part 1)", and "I'm Not Demanding (part 1)". A treasure trove of funk and soul! ~ Dusty Groove

JAMES BROWN – BODYHEAT

An enduring classic from James Brown – quite possibly the strongest of his late 70s albums, and a record that nicely balances the harder funk of the early part of the decade with a more sophisticated style that almost gets slightly jazzy at times! The vocals are planted strongly at the top of most tunes – really calling out the shots and directing the rhythms – even though they seem tight enough to keep snapping along on their own – and also noteworthy are some of the mellower numbers on the set, which are almost more compelling than some of the groovers! Titles include "Bodyheat", "What The World Needs Now", "Don't Tell It", "Kiss In 77", "Woman", "Wake Up And Give", and "I'm Satisfied". ~ Dusty Groove

JAMES BROWN – SLAUGHTER’S BIG RIP-OFF

Easily one of the funkiest albums that James Brown ever recorded – and one of his few entries into the blacksploitation genre of the 70s! James really outdid himself for this one – working at a hard burning pace that had the JBs cooking up some killer funk for just about every number in the set – and which also has James himself stepping out vocally for a few key tracks. The album features the massive groover "People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul" – a slamming track that beats nearly every number in the JB 70s catalog – plus other cuts that include "To My Brother", "Brother Rapp", "Sexy Sexy Sexy", "Slaughter Theme", "Transmogrification", "King Slaughter", and "How Long Can I Keep It Up". ~ Dusty Groove