Great collection of obscurities

This pleasantly surprised me. The audio quality is spectacular: crisp, clear, and with a strong bass end. The music also surprised me, most of it is WELL worth hearing. In fact, given that most of this material comes from the late '70s and early '80s, a lot of it would've been right at home on the "Dead on the Heavy Funk" 2-cd collection.

There are a couple of FUNKY tunes from Bobby Byrd, particularly "Headquarters" and "Back from the Dead." I think Byrd is great, and vastly underrated, so if you feel the same way I HIGHLY recommend this for these tracks alone.

One track that was on the "Dead on the Heavy Funk" set is "Rapp Payback," though here it is featured in it's preferred version: the full 14 minute version. A couple tracks from "Dead on the Heavy Funk" are here, though very notably different - and better!- versions: "Bessie" and "Nature." "Nature," especially, is particularly stanky-- I love it!

Another highlight: a tune called "Stay With Me," which features a great vocal from Mr. Brown. This song is surely a high point from this era in his career.

Just keep in mind, among the tunes sung by James and Byrd, there are tracks sung by other members of the JBs, well as instrumentals. If you're specifically looking only for James Brown-sung tunes, this isn't the best compilation. But for hardcore JB fans, it really is worth purchasing.

James Brown's "Funky People", Back Again

In JB's domestic "Funky People" series (volumes 1/2/3) we get a chance to review solid efforts by members of his show, from approximately '67 to '74. In this similiarly formatted import we find the '76 to '80 period represented by various band groupings. There two particularly interesting tracks from the '76-'78 period, "Bessie" (Part One)", a powerful on the *one* groove recognizable as a standout cut on JB's "Mutha's Nature" album but presented here as an earlier release (apparently using the same rythym bed) featuring the band members playing *and* singing. Another JB album item "Nature" here appears in an almost completely different arrangement. This was a lost gem from a 1978 album, here pushing the incisive guitars up front. [Collectors please note that the "James Brown Live In Concert" video from Music Media (1984) contains a great live version of this lesser-known tune].
A tremendous dance floor item from '80 (co-written by JB) called "Just Want To Make You Dance (pt. 1)" begs revisitation in any medium. This is Top Ten material, a pulsing, pounding disco entry. It's by The JBs featuring Maxxi. It appears to be a recovered album cut.
Mr. Bobby Byrd has a nice entry with "Back From The Dead", a nicely syncopated rock and soul mixture.
Bobby's the co-writer on James Brown's minor hit from '80, "Stay With Me", actuallly one his best A-sides. It's a happy statement with unusual instrumentation. The original flip is here, "Smokin' and Drinkin'", a socially conscious offer, nicely sung by Brown, who delivers melodiously. From the same period we get the single and album version of "Rapp Payback", another progressive dance floor item. [Seen on two JB videos: "America's Music - Soul 1" (Bennett Video Group) and "James Brown and His Very Special Guest B. B. King" (White Star/Kultur)].
I wish this collection could find its' way into the bins of the popular chains who (in my experience) seem to stock only the same ol' "Greatest Hits"/"Greatest Hits Live" material by the G.F.O.S.