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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
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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
℗ 1964 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 Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
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.
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) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:37:38
- Main artists: James Brown
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Mercury Records
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B Soul
© 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group ℗ 1964 The Island Def Jam Music Group
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