James Brown

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funk, soul, rhythm and blues, rnb, blues… see all

James Brown (1933 - 2006) is recognized as one of the most influential figures in 20th century music. As a prolific singer, songwriter, bandleader and record producer, Brown was a seminal force in the evolution of gospeland rhythm and blues into soul and funk. He has also left his mark on numerous other musical genres, including rock, jazz, reggae, disco, dance and electronic music, and, most famously, hip-hop music.

Joining Bobby Byrd’s vocal group The Famous Flames in 1955, Brown’s early recordings from the mid-50s, were fairly straightforward gospel-inspired R&B compositions, heavily influenced by the work of contemporary musicians such as Ray Charles and Little Richard. Little Richard’s relations with Brown were particularly significant in Brown’s development as a musician and showman.

Brown followed the success of his 1963 Live At The Apollo with a string of singles that, along with the work of Allen Toussaint in new orleans, essentially defined the foundation of funk music. During the mid-1960s, two of Brown’s signature tunes

Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag and

I Got You (I Feel Good), both from 1965, were his first Top 10 pop hits, as well as major #1 R&B hits, with each remaining the top-selling singles in black venues for over a month. As the 1960s decade neared its end, Brown continued to refine the new funk idiom. Brown’s 1967 #1 R&B hit,

Cold Sweat, sometimes cited as the first true funk song, was the first of his recordings to contain a drum break and the first that featured a harmony that was reduced to a single chord change.

1	I Got You (I Feel Good) full track	1,565
2	I Feel Good full track	927
3	The Payback full track	876
4	It's a Man's Man's Man's World full track	833
5	Papa's Got a Brand New Bag full track	808
6	Think full track	746
7	Night Train full track	718
7	Sex Machine full track	718
9	Get Up Offa That Thing full track	715
10	The Boss full track	641
11	Please, Please, Please full track	541
12	Try Me full track	524
13	Get On the Good Foot full track	523
14	Cold Sweat full track	508
15	Living in America full track	502

Top Albums

Out of Sight
James Brown
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Compilation (Funky Goodtime)
James Brown
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83
James Brown
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Star Time
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elsimondark wrote:
yesterday evening

<3

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aTadMadJam wrote:
Tuesday evening

It's toooooooooooooo funky in here. Open up the door. I'll get it myself. We owe him so much. However, at the risk (hope ?) of some spirited debate, was James Brown just the facade to the real talent of Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, the JBs and the Macks ????

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kolonkin wrote:
Saturday afternoon

ohhh! James is really the best!

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mustikoira wrote:
Friday morning

This is so funny! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7kP35jI7Go&feature=related

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timpcronin wrote:
10 days ago

JAMES BROWN TRIBUTE - AUG 20 BOSTON, MA http://www.last.fm/event/724206

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Hamination wrote:
11 days ago

One of the best to ever live

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EazyDuzit wrote:
14 days ago

im back.....im back..im back..im back...get up offa that funky thing !!!!!!!!!!!

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BillyIdolsHair wrote:
14 days ago

I Feel Good is the most overrated in James Browns catalog.

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Murkemall wrote:
20 days ago

i am currently sitting in a room with two chums, and a few beers. so far we have given the greatest hits a thorough listen, and we were so moved by the sheer funk that radiated through my speakers into our souls, that we decided to listen again. thank you james brown. thank funk. long live the funk.

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bethopklz wrote:
last month

pura raça............

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EazyDuzit wrote:
last month

le best

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Cremus wrote:
last month

God almighty, some people have no taste. The greatest body of body music ever recorded. And an amazing soul singer when he wanted to sing instead of use his voice as a percussion instrument. James Brown is as good as it gets.

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cymagen wrote:
last month

Maybe i just dont get it but it just sounds like some dude yelling into a mic. I dont think of this as music at all. Just because he was the first at something doesn't mean he's good. thumbs down

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fly-away wrote:
last month

oh much <3 t the grandfather of funk

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musrum wrote:
last month

Legend

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fullmoon30 wrote:
last month

ohhh yes, James music makes me FEEEELLLL SO GGGOOODDDDD, is the best FUCK elvis

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rakshasa07 wrote:
last month

If you hate the new last.fm's version. JOIN! http://www.last.fm/group/Bring+back+the+old+Last.fm

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Mah_Oliveira wrote:
last month

I've got soul and I'm super bad Huh <3

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HeinJr wrote:
last month

Nono, Elvis IS The King, James is The Hardest Working Man In Showbizz...

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JesusWalksForHH wrote:
last month

Yo James Brown makes hot music, he's the King, the real King. Fuck Elvis.

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