Gold

Performer: James Brown
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: The first major James Brown anthology to be released after the Godfather of Soul's passing in December 2006, the two-disc GOLD set spans the legendary performer's peak years, from his rise to fame in the mid 1950s as an R&B crooner to his role as funk's elder statesman in the late '70s. The majority of GOLD, however, draws from the '60s, when Brown was boldly stepping out into uncharted musical territory with electrifying horn-led singles such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)," tracks that showcased his unstoppable energy and undeniable charisma, and cemented his reputation as "the Hardest Working Man in Show Business." While Brown's early hits--including the desperate "Please Please Please" and the swooning "Try Me"--revealed the Georgia-bred singer's mastery of doo-wop-influenced balladry, later singles such as "Super Bad" and "The Payback" found Mr. Dynamite unleashing his full funk fury to stunning effect. The perfect middle ground between the well-selected single-disc 20 ALL TIME GREATEST HITS! and the massive four-CD STAR TIME box set, GOLD is easily one of the finest Brown collections available and ideal for any devoted fan.

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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