James Brown - The Payback

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Today Marks The 52nd Anniversary of James Brown's 37th Studio Album "The Payback" Released on December 1, 1973.

 

The Payback is the 37th studio album by soul/funk musician James Brown released in 1973, by Polydor Records.

 

The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard Soul Albums chart for two weeks and peaked at #34 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart in the Top 40. It was Brown's only studio album to be certified gold.

 

Two singles were released from the album "Stoned to the Bone", titled "Stone to the Bone" and "The Payback".

 

"Stoned to the Bone", titled "Stone to the Bone" was released as a two-part single in 1973, it peaked #4 on the Billboard R&B chart and at #58 on Billboard's Pop chart.

 

The Payback peaked at #1 on Billboard's R&B charts and at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

The Payback is is one of his most famous songs and an especially prolific source of samples for record producers.

 

The Payback is considered a high point in Brown's recording career, and is now regarded by critics as a landmark funk album.

 

The album was reissued on single CD in 1992 with liner notes by Alan Leeds.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. The Payback

2. Doing the Best I Can

3. Take Some...Leave Some

4. Shoot Your Shot

5. Forever Suffering

6. Time Is Running out Fast

7. Stone to the Bone

8. Mind Power

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

James Brown - BodyHeat

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Today Marks The 49th Anniversary of James Brown's 44th Studio Album "BodyHeat" Released on December 1, 1976.

 

BodyHeat is the 44th studio album by American musician James Brown. The album was released in December 1976, by Polydor Records.

 

The album reached #126 on the Billboard Top 200 charts.

 

Two singles were released from the album, "BodyHeat" and "Kiss in '77".

 

"BodyHeat" was released in 1976 as a two-part single on Polydor Records and also appeared on an album of the same name. It peaked #13 on Billboard's R&B chart and at #88 on Billboard's Pop charts.

 

BodyHeat was Brown's last song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 until "Living in America" in 1985.

 

BodyHeat was produced and arranged by James Brown. The cover and art work was by the Virginia Team.

 

Track-listing

 

1. BodyHeat

2. Woman

3. Kiss in 77

4. I'm Satisfied

5. What The World Needs Now Is Love

6. Wake Up and Give Yourself a Chance

7. Don't Tell It

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

James Brown - Take a Look at Those Cakes

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Today Marks The 47th Anniversary of James Brown’s 47th Studio Album “Take a Look at Those Cakes” Originally Released on December 1, 1978.

 

“Take a Look at Those Cakes” is the 47th studio album by soul/funk musician James Brown released in 1978 on Polydor Records.

 

The album reached #55 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's charts.

 

The song "For Goodness Sakes, Look at Those Cakes" was the album's lead single it reached #52 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles charts.

 

The song was released as a two-part single in earlier in October 1978.

 

The album was produced and arranged by James Brown and St. Clair Pinckney.

 

The albums cover artwork was credited to Christoph Blumrich.

 

The album is generally considered an enjoyable, though not essential, funk album from his later career.

 

Critics and fans felt like James Brown wasn't creating as many new ideas during this period, but still believe the music is high-quality and enjoyable even if it's not his best work.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. For Goodness Sakes, Look at Those Cakes

2. A Man Understands

3. Someone To Talk To

4. Spring

5. As Long As I Love You

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

Funk, Inc. - Funk, Inc.

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Today Marks The 54th Anniversary of Funk, Inc.’s Debut Self-titled Studio Album “Funk, Inc.” Originally Released on December 1, 1971.

 

“Funk, Inc.” is the debut studio album by funk/soul jazz band, Funk, Inc., released in 1971 on Prestige Records.

 

The album reached #45 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.

 

The album is driven by the organ work of Bobby Watley, who is influenced by legends like Jimmy Smith, as well as the guitar playing of Steve Weakley. Other musicians include Eugene Barr on tenor sax, Jimmy Munford on drums, and Cecil Hunt on congas.

 

The song "Kool Is Back" is the album's standout track the song did not have a significant chart history on major pop or R&B charts, but it is considered a landmark track in the development of rap and funk.

 

The track is famous for being one of the most sampled in history, primarily because of its drum and horn breaks.

 

“Kool Is Back” contains a break that got used a lot later on in time. Two parts to be specific: the drum break and the horn hit right before that drum break.

 

The song has been sampled over 500 times by artists including Jay-Z, Ice T, Beastie Boys, and Schoolly D.

 

Tracklist:

 

A1. Kool Is Back 8:20

A2. Bowlegs 7:55

B1. Sister Janie 5:25

B2. The Thrill Is Gone 6:30

B3. The Whipper 6:15

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

Cymande - Cymande

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Today Marks The 53rd Anniversary of Cymande’s Debut Self-Titled Studio Album “Cymande” Originally Released on December 1, 1972.

 

Cymande is the debut album by British funk group Cymande. It was released in 1972 through Janus Records.

 

The album reached #85 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart and at  #24 on the U.S. Billboard Soul Albums in the United States.

 

Two songs were released as singles from the album "The Message" and "Bra".

 

"The Message" reached #22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and at #48 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

"Bra" reached #51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles charts.

 

“Bra” was featured in Spike Lee's 1994 film Crooklyn as well as on its soundtrack album. It also appeared in John Jacobsen's 1998 film Around the Fire, Spike Lee's 2002 film 25th Hour, Martin Gero's 2007 film Young People Fucking, and The Worst Person in the World.

 

The album is celebrated for its unique and masterful blend of genres, including funk, soul, jazz, reggae, rock, and Caribbean music (which the band termed "nyah-rock").

 

The album was produced entirely by John Schroeder. Recording sessions took place at De Lane Lea Studios in London.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Zion I

2. One More

3. Getting It Back

4, Listen

5. Rickshaw

6. Dove

7. Bra

8. The Message

9. Ras Tafarian Folk Song

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

Bernadette Cooper - Drama According to Bernadette Cooper

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Today Marks The 35th Anniversary of Bernadette Cooper’s Debut Solo Studio Album “Drama According to Bernadette Cooper “ Originally Released on December 1, 1990.

 

“Drama According to Bernadette Cooper” is the debut studio solo album by Klymaxx’s band leader Bernadette Cooper released in 1990 on MCA Records.

 

Two songs were released as singles from the album “I Look Good” and “Stupid”.

 

“I Look Good (An Interview with Bernadette Cooper) “ reached #30 times on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

 

“Stupid” reached #69 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

 

The album was written and produced by Bernadette Cooper.

 

Track-listing

 

1. I Look Good (An Interview With Bernadette Cooper)

2. Do You Really Know What Love Is

3. Stupid

4. The Underground

5. The Agency Sent Me

6. Let's Be Discreet

7. Drama According To Bernadette Cooper

8. I'm That Girl

9. The Howard Hughes Sitcom

10. Straight Jacket (Love Affair)

11. Nothin' You Can Do

12. Movie Produce Her

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©