Icon

Performer: James Brown
Producer: James Brown...
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Although it has "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" and "Please Please Please," Universal's 2010 collection Icon concentrates on James Brown's funkiest singles, including "I Got You (I Feel Good)," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)," "The Payback," and both parts of "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine," "Soul Power," "Cold Sweat," and "Super Bad." The result may miss some major moments, particularly from the early years, but it's an excellent collection of JB at his funkiest. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The unrelenting intensity of James Brown's music has made him one of the most recognizable and influential performers since the 1950s. Starting out as a gospel singer, Brown soon switched to R&B and started scoring hits. As the '60s progressed, the self-proclaimed Godfather of Soul transformed the sounds of R&B into a tight, driving style that helped lay the foundations of funk. Personal troubles over the following decades threatened to sideline the ever-impassioned Brown, but he repeatedly bounced back. Countless JB samples--credited and uncredited--found on rap and hip-hop records testify to his enduring influence. The Godfather of Soul passed away on Christmas Day in 2006.

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.3

Shipping Options and Policies