Description
Label Review.
1959 & 1960 albums.
Our Overview.
By the time he was in his 30s, James Brown was more than a dominant musical voice: he was an outstanding African-American personality, period. Important enough to be drawn into the murky waters of national politics as an inspiration and role model, he was also feared and sometimes ridiculed. But he would not be denied. Brown was determined to be Somebody. He called his group “Famous” before they had a right to; called himself “Mr. Dynamite” before his first Pop hit; and proclaimed himself “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business” before the music business knew his name. His was a fantasy, a sweet dream. But James Brown had singular talent, and the vision to hire the baddest. In his own time, he became “Soul Brother Number ONE,” a larger-than-life Godfather of Soul.
“JAMES BROWN is a concept, a vibration, a dance,” he said. “It’s not me, the man. JAMES BROWN is a freedom I created for humanity.”
This quintessential collector’s edition includes James Brown & His Famous Flames’ seminal albums for the King label; consisting of their debut album ‘Please, Please, Please’ (1959) and their third release ‘Think!’ (1960). Two albums on one CD plus three bonus tracks of hard to find sides from the same period.
These two masterpieces helped define the primal nature of soul. They offer a solid introduction into this man’s special brand of musical feeling, his passionate style, intense delivery and R&B innovation. The foot-tapping rhythms, spine-tingling stylings and sentimental mood renderings so typical of his early performances can be heard here. Without a doubt, this is the material upon which James Brown’s kingdom was built.