V.A. James Brown's Funky People Part 3

Get On Down continues its very welcome obsession with James Brown’s stable of late ’60s and early ‘70s talent – much of it culled from his People Records label, including various backing bands – by bringing this firsttime- ever-on-vinyl package to the world. The third volume in the groundbreaking Funky People series, originally released on CD in 2000, is just as incredible as the first two. And maybe even more fascinating to JB fans, because of the less-heard discoveries lurking in these grooves. With 12 tracks spanning 1967 to 1975, this is far from a “remainders” collection. Each cut here packs an undeniable punch. Featuring James’ most talented side-people, including The JBs, Bobby Byrd, Marva Whitney, Lyn Collins and Vicki Anderson, Volume 3 goes even deeper in the cut than previous collections, with the white Ohio-based studio crew The Dapps (featuring drummer / vocalist Beau Dollar), the Dee Felice Trio and even a cheekily named side crew called the A.A.B.B. (Above Average Black Band). There are some impressive covers here, including the Dee Felice Trio’s driving, jazzy version of James’ “There Was A Time” (known to the hip-hop nation thanks to Chubb Rock’s “Treat ‘Em Right”); a live version of Lyn Collins covering the Isley Brothers’ “It’s My Thing”; in addition to her studio cover of James’ “Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose.” In retrospect it even sounds like James covers himself on the raw and powerful “Original Rock Version” of his 1972 hit “Talkin’ Loud And Saying Nothin’,” even though the Rock version was recorded first, in 1970. Marva Whitney’s “If You Don’t Give Me What I Want” is as powerful and emotional as a soul ballad gets. The A.A.B.B.’s “Pick Up The Pieces One By One” must have made the Average White Band want to hang up their instruments. And one truly fascinating alternate take here is the “Undubbed Version” of the JBs’ “Blow Your Head,” with the Moog work and main Fred Wesley trombone solo removed. It lets the groove shimmer in whole new light. The more that newcomers and diehard fans alike dig into the James Brown and People Records vaults, the more they realize that it’s a neverending source of truly next-level funk and soul music. And you can be sure this aural goodness will keep flowing to the public, thanks to the exhaustive efforts of Get On Down.

Limited edition for Black Friday RSD 2016!