Foundations Of Funk A Brand New Bag 1964-1969

Every song on this double CD is great. Read more

James Brown Foundations of Funk: A Brand New Bag 1964-1969 (Polydor/Chronicles 2 CD set - 1996) This set is not a `greatest hits' package, but a true overview of his great work in the 1960s. This consists of studio greats with a few expanded cuts and a few great-unreleased live performances. J.B. and the band hits the groove and never lets up. This is an excellent 2 CD collection. As a 1960s compilation, this set earns FIVE solid Stars. If you are asking yourself how to get a decent collection of James Brown's best work, I sympathize with your problem. Brown released a TON of songs during his career: studio albums, singles, and live recordings. The answer to your search depends on your level of commitment to his music. If you are looking for a short `greatest hits' package, there are several single, double, and multiple CD packages that do a decent overview of his work. (This particular 2 CD set only covers this 1960s work). If you are looking to buy all the J.B. you can find, you are going to have to spend a whole lot of money trying to get it all. There is a very large, multiple disk (not sold together), set of James Browns' "Singles", which looks to be very well done (I've only heard one of those disks myself). My own approach to collecting J.B.'s work is to start with this "Foundations of Funk" set, and then to buy several of his Live CDs to cover his whole career. In whatever way you choose represent James Brown in your music collection, it is simply impossible to ignore the great influence that The King of Soul had on his own time, and on the future of music. Overall, this "Foundations of Funk" collection is a great place to start. Read more

Great album Read more

Even though this 2 CD set was issued 20 years ago it's still one of the best. Like the old saying--when you listen to this music and some part of your body doesn't move, you're dead. For very little money you get seminal sides from Brown's earliest days with crack bands (orchestras?) he put together. This is pure James Brown/funk! The sound is very good for 1996. The booklet has a lot of info on Brown and the music, including a list of (sometimes possible) players for each track. Plus there's a short synopsis for each tune that puts the music in better perspective. If you don't own the "Star Time" box set this is the way to go. Read more

To begin, let me reveal that My favorite R & B/Pop artists of all time are The Temptations,Stevie Wonder,The Jacksons,Earth Wind & Fire, & New Edition. I never had the privilge of seeing the Godfather of Soul in person,but I was fortunate enough to have a television set when I was growing up so I was able to see time and time again that there was, and still is NO PERFORMER who can be considered to be as good as the Godfather,with the exception ot the Temptations.I write this review just 3 days after the Incredibly shocking and untimely passing of one of the few artists who can be considered worthy of the crown,Michael Jackson. But even Michael has said on numerous occasions before and after James Brown's passing that there is NO ONE else worthy of that crown besides the Godfather Himself,and I tend to agree with the King Of Pop.That having been said,the songs on this CD are the Foundations for just about all music,not just funk. Along with the Motown,Stax,Chicago & Philly sounds, this is what I was raised on, so when It became available I jumped on it immediately and it is still a part of my regular CD rotation. By the way,the answer to my question is NO. This is the most appropriately titled CD that I have ever seen or owned. Read more

I was around during this time period, and saw James Brown live because he was my mother's favorite live performer. I was surprised, however, at the number of filler songs in this collection. Some remastering would have been nice, too. Standout songs that held up for me were "Out of Sight," "Money Won't Change You," "Cold Sweat," and "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing." Even though the instrumentals on "Say It Loud" sound a little stark now, I remember how I felt when I heard the song over the radio back then. It was a bold message and messenger, truly uplifting for its time. Read more

I have a lot of (P-Funk) recordings I've pretty much every album they put out, I thought this band was the bomb, rightly so with a number of hits they put out over the years Mothership Connection, flashlight etc..but it was'nt till I heard James Brown's Foundations of Funk I said hey wait a minute, dejavu George Clinton & P-Funk was the second coming of James Brown WOWW!! what a revelation, it was really James Brown who laid the foundations of Funk. What I discovered was when George Clinton & P-Funk was saying, was all borrowed from James Brown example: (if you hear any noise, it's just me and the boys) (it is what it is) and Yo just to name a few that P-Funk used from the '70s. Yo, James Brown had stated that in the mid '60s & coined many other catch phrases in the sixties that's right James Brown said It 10 years sooner amazing!! From the tight and righteous band the horn section that is Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley & Pee Wee Ellis that George Clinton borrowed from James Brown as well to the stage presence of J.B. James Brown really did Lay the foundations of Funk the one and only, enough said. (rip) Godfather of Soul Read more