Revolution of the Mind

Performer: James Brown
Artist: Fred Wesley
Producer: James Brown
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: James Brown, Bobby Byrd (vocals, organ); Hearlon "Cheese" Martin, Robert Coleman (guitar); Jimmy Parker (alto saxophone); St. Clair Pinckney (tenor saxophone); Jerone "Jasaan" Sanford, Russell Crimes (trumpet); Fred Wesley (trombone); Fred Thomas (bass); John "Jabo" Starks, John Morgan (drums); Danny Ray. Recorded live at The Apollo Theater, New York, New York from July 24-26, 1971. Originally released on Polydor (PD 2 3003). Includes liner notes by Harry Weinger. Digitally remastered by Joseph M. Palmaccio (Polygram Studios). In the Great Encyclopedia of Soul, one should find James Brown cross-referenced with the Apollo Theater, since that legendary Harlem venue was the source of much of Brown's finest recorded material. Brown's famed LIVE AT THE APOLLO recordings are only part of the story. REVOLUTION OF THE MIND was culled from several nights of shows at the Apollo in 1971. The version of the JB's Brown was working with at the time had only been together for a short time, and their playing is infused with a sense of urgency and discovery. Brown's social consciousness was in high gear at the time, as evidenced by the positive political message of "Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved." Classic Brown funkfests like "Sex Machine" and "Hot Pants" are churned out with unprecedented power and energy, the band running on all cylinders. Brown's unstoppable spirit is reflected in his enthusiastic, shouted intros to the songs as much as in the music itself.

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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