James Brown - Hell

ORIGINATION Hell
LAST LISTENED TO some months back
CHANCE OF WAKING TO IT are not good
RATING

It seems unfair to give James Brown 2 stars, but it is a comparitive thing. If this track was by someone else, it would probably rate higher. But we all know that Mr. Brown can do much better than this. Even with the lovely solo by Maceo Parker, i can't in fairness raise this to 3 stars, because then i'd have to raise the ratings of the songs that are better than this and i dont go better than 5 out of 5.

In short, it is a consious-raising piece of mid-tempo funk from 1974. Choppy guitars. Horns. Female backing. "It's hell down here and we've got to make a change." Maceo's solo. James screams. Still can't go better than 2 stars, though. Shame.

James Brown - Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose (Remix)

ORIGINATION In The Jungle Groove
LAST LISTENED TO yesterday
CHANCE OF WAKING TO IT jump back and kiss myself
RATING

I love this too much to put into words. Listen to it. Listen to those drums. Listen to that bass (oh the bass)! And the brass. And the organ. Listen to James Brown. Mr. Dynamite! Soul Brother Number One! The Hardest Working Man In Show Business! Mr. Superbad! The Godfather Of Soul! JAMES BROWN!

Listen when James shouts "Clyde!" after the bongo break (oh yes, bongos too!) and the drums return, followed by Bootsy on bass, it is one of those moments when i lose the power of speech.

If you don't like this song, i suggest you stop reading here and never, ever darken this page again. We don't like your kind 'round here. Have you no soul at all?