Motherlode [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster]

Performer: James Brown
Artist: Bootsy Collins; Maceo Parker; Fred Wesley; Clyde Stubblefield
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: James Brown (vocals, organ); Bobby Byrd (vocals, keyboards); Jimmy "Chank" Nolen, Healon "Cheese" Martin, Alphonso "Country" Kellum, Phelps "Catfish" Collins, Jimmy Nolan, Robert Coleman (guitar); Jimmy Parker, Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis, Joe Poff (alto saxophone); Robert McCollough, Maceo Parker, L.D. "Eldee" Williams (tenor saxophone); St. Clair Pinckney, Louis Tilford (baritone saxophone); Darryl "Hasaan" Jamison, Jerone "Jasaan" Sanford, Ike Oakley, Richard "Kush" Griffith, Joseph Davis, Waymond Reed, Joe Dupars (trumpet); Louis Tilford, Fred Wesley, Levi Rasbury, Hollie Farris (trombone); Mike Lawler (Clavinet); Fred Thomas, William "Bootsy" Collins (bass); John "Jabo" Starks, Melvin Parker (drums); Johnny Griggs (percussion). Producer: James Brown. Compilation producers: Tim Rogers, Cliff White. Recorded between 1967 & 1976. Originally released on Polydor (6093). Includes liner notes by Cliff White. Personnel: James Razor Brown , Bobby Byrd (vocals, organ); Alphonso "Country" Kellum, Hearlon "Cheese" Martin, Jimmy Nolen, Phelps "Catfish" Collins (guitar); Pee Wee Ellis (alto saxophone, organ); Jimmy Parker (alto saxophone); St. Clair Pinckney (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Eldee Williams, Robert McCollough, Maceo Parker (tenor saxophone); Louis Tilford (baritone saxophone); Joe Dupars, Waymon Reed, Isiah "Ike" Oakley, Joseph Davis , Jerone "Jasaan Sanford" Melson, Darryl "Hasaan" Jamison, Richard "Kush" Griffith (trumpet); Levi Rasbury, Fred Wesley (trombone); Clyde Stubblefield, Melvin Parker, John Russell Morgan, John Starks (drums); Johnny Griggs (congas, percussion); Benny Parks (percussion). Audio Mixers: Tom "Curly" Ruff; Dennis M. Drake. Liner Note Author: Clifford White. Recording information: Bell Auditorium, Augusta, GA (04/11/1969-09/??/1976); Bobby Smith Studios, Macon, GA (04/11/1969-09/??/1976); Criteria Studios, Miami, FL (04/11/1969-09/??/1976); International Studios, Augusta, GA (04/11/1969-09/??/1976); King Studios, Cincinnati, OH (04/11/1969-09/??/1976); Mastersound Studios, Atlanta, GA (04/11/1969-09/??/1976); RCA Studios, Los Angeles, CA (04/11/1969-09/??/1976); Starday-King Studios, Nashville, TN (04/11/1969-09/??/1976); The Apollo, New York, NY (04/11/1969-09/??/1976); United Artists Studios, Hollywood, CA (04/11/1969-09/??/1976). Editors: Tom "Curly" Ruff; Dennis M. Drake. Illustrator: Chris Thompson. Introduction by: James Razor Brown . Unknown Contributor Role: Danny Ray. During the mid- and late '80s, after Brown and Polydor parted ways, the label began to reissue his work, some of which had been out of print for close to a decade. Motherlode is one of the finest compilations. Coming a few years after In the Jungle Groove, a compilation effort that culled some of Brown's harder-edged 1969-1971 tracks, this covers 1969-1973 and has the smoothness of a regular release effort. By this point, Motherlode producers Cliff White and Tim Rogers began to know more about Brown's "classic" work than he did and could do compilations where the tracks were all potent. This set starts off with an explosive live take of "There It Is" recorded at the Apollo in 1972. 1969's "She's the One" with his late-'60s orchestra has great guitar work from both Jimmy "Chank" Nolan and Alphonso "Country" Kellum. Since most of the tracks here weren't hits, or were even released, it provides a fresh interpretation of Brown's production style and the skills of his players. "Untitled Instrumental" features Brown's rock and psychedelic-influenced unit, with included guitarist Phelps Collins and his brother, Bootsy Collins, and his singular bass skills. The heart of this CD, however, is "People Drive Your Funky Soul." Originally on Slaughter's Big Rip Off in a too brief 3:50 version, Motherlode brings the entire take to the public for the first time. The track, which manages to subtly cross reggae with bebop, again features Brown with his 1971-1975 band and it exhibits their chemistry and the band's unbelievable versatility. Although Motherlode has been lost in the shuffle due to a plethora of other compilations, this is still illuminating and enjoyable. ~ Jason Elias During the mid- and late '80s, after James Brown and Polydor parted ways, the label began to reissue his work, some of which had been out of print for close to a decade. Motherlode is one of the finest compilations. Coming a few years after In the Jungle Groove, a compilation effort that culled some of Brown's harder-edged 1969-1971 tracks, this covers 1969-1973 and has the smoothness of a regular release effort. By this point, Motherlode producers Cliff White and Tim Rogers began to know more about Brown's "classic" work than he did, and could do compilations where the tracks were all potent. This set starts off with an explosive live take of "There It Is," recorded at the Apollo in 1972. "She's the One" from 1969, featuring his late-'60s orchestra, has great guitar work from both Jimmy "Chank" Nolan and Alphonso "Country" Kellum. Since most of the tracks here weren't hits, or weren't even previously released, they provided a fresh interpretation of Brown's production style and the skills of his players. "Untitled Instrumental" features Brown's rock and psychedelic-influenced unit, with included guitarist Phelps Collins and his brother, Bootsy Collins, with his singular bass skills. The heart of this CD, however, is "People Drive Your Funky Soul." Originally on Slaughter's Big Rip-Off in a too-brief version less than four minutes long, Motherlode brings the entire take to the public for the first time. The track, which manages to subtly cross reggae with bebop, again features Brown with his 1971-1975 band, and it exhibits their chemistry and the band's unbelievable versatility. Although Motherlode has been lost in the shuffle due to a plethora of other compilations, this is still illuminating and enjoyable. [In 2003 a remastered edition was released with two previously unreleased bonus tracks, 1969's "You've Changed" and a 1976 alternate mix of "Bodyheat" that clocks in at nearly 12 minutes.] ~ Jason Elias

Q (8/01, p.146) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Fantastic..."

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.

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