James Brown

A different James Brown album. James doesn't sing soul, so much as jazz -- in front of large backings by Louis Bellson, with arrangements by Oliver Nelson that are in his best 60s soul mode -- and which give the album a very very groovy feel overall! The record's not funky, but James' vocals are plenty darn soulful -- and the album is proof that he could be a huge talent in just about any mode that he chose -- shining with a brilliance that was irrepressible.