James BrownBest James Brown Albums Ranked

Live At The Apollo (Expanded Edition)

rollingstone

10

“Soul music wasn't exactly born on October 24th, 1962, but on that day it took a great leap to becoming the dominant form of African-American popular song. For it was on that autumn Wednesday in New York that organist and compere Fats Gonder asked the Apollo Theater throng if it was "ready for star time," the star being his boss, "the hardest-working man in show business." R&B singer, songwriter an”

Live At The Apollo (Expanded Edition)

pitchfork

10

“Syd Nathan never wanted this record made. The King Records founder had a long history of working with black performers, ever since the late 40s when he decided to get into "the race business" after initially only concentrating on "hillbilly accounts." This is a man who had not only started his own independent label, but also bankrolled his own recording studios, pressing plant and distribution net”

Star Time

rollingstone

10

“James Brown can seem like an insufferable braggart. He makes no bones about his greatness, proclaiming himself not only the King of Soul but the inventor of funk and the progenitor of rap and disco — not to mention a leading exponent of black pride. To hear him tell it, James Brown is one of […]”

The Singles, Vol. 7: 1970-1972

pitchfork

8.6

“This set finds James Brown putting together a new band, mostly abandoning songs-as-we-know-them, and generally kicking ass.”

In the Jungle Groove

pitchfork

8.6

“James Brown turned 70 this year, and while most great-grandparents are settling down on their lake house patio, or complaining about the nursing home food, last I heard, James was busy scaring the shit out of solicitors at his South Carolina home. With that in mind, it's good to know his legacy and legend are in safe keeping via his music, and the myriad compilations detailing the facets of his ge”

The Singles, Vol. 8: 1972-1973

pitchfork

8.4

“The latest set of JB singles finds him making odd decisions in an attempt to be seen as important and socially vital. Most of them work out fine.”

In the Jungle Groove

djmarch75

7.0

“Solid 1980’s JB record. Exactly what you’d expect it to sound like.”