Jazz

Performer: James Brown
Engineer: Carl Furragia
Producer: James Brown; Harry Weinger (Compilation); Alan Leeds (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: James Brown (organ); Dee Felice Trio (vocals); Les Buie, Wallace Richardson, Jimmy Nolen (guitar); Bill Pittman, Alfonzo Kellum, Louis Shelton (guitars); David Parkinson, Ernie Watts, Nat Jones, Joe Romano (alto saxophone); Eldee Williams, Al "Brisco" Clark, Les Asch, Pete Christlieb, St. Clair Pinckney, Buddy Collette (tenor saxophone); Charles Carr, Maceo Parker, Jimmy Mulidore (baritone saxophone); Teddy Washington, Joe Dupars, Waymon Reed, Richard "Kush" Griffith, Robert Knight , Ron Harper, Al Aarons, John Audino, Chuck Finley, Tommy Porello, Mack Johnson, Ron Tooley (trumpet); Kenny Schroyer, Wilmer Milton, Fred Wesley, Jimmy Cleveland, Nick Dimaio, Bill Tole (trombone); Levi Rasbury (valve trombone); Frank Vincent, Alfred Ellis (piano); Bernard Odum, Al Lucas, Ray Brown , Sam Thomas , Lee Tucker (bass guitar); Clyde Stubblefield, Nat Kendrick, Melvin Parker, Obie Williams, John Starks, Louie Bellson, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Dee Felice (drums); Jack Arnold (percussion). James Brown fans might wonder at the title and at the fact that this posthumous collection is issued on Verve, the classic jazz label, but one listen through these 12 cuts will answer any questions. The Godfather was the king of soul and the architect of funk, but he also had a yen for jazzier flavors, as this excellent swinging set demonstrates. Brown helms dynamic takes on contemporary jazz tunes (Cannonball Adderley's "Tengo Tango" and Joe Zawinul's "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)," among others), as well as revitalizing much-loved standards like "That's My Desire." The material ranges through the 1960s and '70s, and features a number of alternate mixes and singles edits, some of which have never seen the light of day (making the set a must for Brown collectors).

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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