Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Grits and Soul finds James Brown in serious Ray Charles mode, drawing inspiration from Charles' big band and organ playing. The results are pure James Brown, of course; his personality has always been too strong to allow any one influence to achieve top billing. Like Brother Ray, the band is razor sharp, no doubt from the endless one-nighters, and the strong hand of their leader. The jazz backgrounds of most of the players are in evidence here, especially on their steady if unspectacular take of Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder." Where they really shine is on "Grits," a slow, throbbing, burbling blues that continually threatens to boil over before simmering down. Guitarist Les Buie's tasteful solo acts as a counterpoint to the wild organ solo by Alvin "Fats" Gonder. James Brown also plays organ on Grits and Soul, but this solo seems almost refined when compared to Brown's individualistic take on the instrument. This is a strong representation of the band, including many of the players soon to be name-checked during the "Soul Brother Number One" career phase who are present here, including Bernard Odum, Maceo Parker, and his brother Melvin. "Grits & Soul" was also a slick way for Brown to sidestep his contractual obligations with King Records, as there are no vocals on this release.
© Kurt Edwards /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Ted Wright, ComposerLyricist - Nat Jones, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Ted Wright, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Ted Wright, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Ted Wright, ComposerLyricist - Nat Jones, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2007 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Nat Jones, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Don Kirkpatrick, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Knox, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1967 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Ted Wright, ComposerLyricist - Nat Jones, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Ted Wright, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1965 Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Ted Wright, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Nat Jones, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1964 Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Dessie Rozier, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1989 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Ted Wright, ComposerLyricist - Nat Jones, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1968 Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist - Nat Adderley, ComposerLyricist - Cannonball Adderley, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2007 Universal Records a division of UMG Recordings Inc.
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - McKinley "Mack" Johnson, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1966 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group
JAMES BROWN, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Nat Jones, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Album review
Grits and Soul finds James Brown in serious Ray Charles mode, drawing inspiration from Charles' big band and organ playing. The results are pure James Brown, of course; his personality has always been too strong to allow any one influence to achieve top billing. Like Brother Ray, the band is razor sharp, no doubt from the endless one-nighters, and the strong hand of their leader. The jazz backgrounds of most of the players are in evidence here, especially on their steady if unspectacular take of Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder." Where they really shine is on "Grits," a slow, throbbing, burbling blues that continually threatens to boil over before simmering down. Guitarist Les Buie's tasteful solo acts as a counterpoint to the wild organ solo by Alvin "Fats" Gonder. James Brown also plays organ on Grits and Soul, but this solo seems almost refined when compared to Brown's individualistic take on the instrument. This is a strong representation of the band, including many of the players soon to be name-checked during the "Soul Brother Number One" career phase who are present here, including Bernard Odum, Maceo Parker, and his brother Melvin. "Grits & Soul" was also a slick way for Brown to sidestep his contractual obligations with King Records, as there are no vocals on this release.
© Kurt Edwards /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 01:11:21
- Main artists: James Brown
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Mercury Records
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B R&B
© 2014 The Island Def Jam Music Group ℗ 2014 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.