Advantages: James Brown before he went global
Disadvantages: Very dated, none of his big hits

...WHO'S THIS THEN? --------------------------------- Even if you don't know any of his music directly, the chances are that you'll have been affected indirectly by his vast 45 year output. For a start, he invented what used to be called "soul", that genre that put feeling and vocal passion before lyrics and image. He was 8 years ahead of Motown and Stax and was experimenting with soulful innovations whilst Chess records were still courting rock n roll and blues in the late 1950s. Towards the end of the 60's, "soul" became a bit more danceable and a subgenre called "funk" was born. In the mid-70's, Brown upped the ante and the tempo with the use of the hi-hat. Voila! A prototype of "disco" had emerged. "Disco" morphed into "house" in the late 80s and "house" is the old name for the "dance" music of today. In the mid 80's, rappers... Read review

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Advantages: all the things we expect of d'angelo, but darker.. yes a lot of children are going to be conceived to this album
Disadvantages: It doesnt quite live up to Brown Sugar, something that D'angelo is always going to have to live in the shadow of.

...Very rarely does the release of a Soul album attract the attention and anticipation that Voodoo did.. but then this wasnt any old Soul album, this was D'Angelo.. yeah that guy behind the quite simply classic 'Brown Sugar'.. Its hard to believe that 5 years has passed since its released.. and its equally hard to believe that D'Angelo is as young as he is, but how wise he was to take his time over the follow up. Most people would have fallen into that trap of releasing quickly over the hype, repeating a previous formula and no doubt producing overall poorer results. Voodoo is incomparibly different from Brown Sugar.. The title is a good indicator of what is to come.. Where Brown Sugar was smoothily sexy, Voodoo is much darker and somehow seems much sleazier. On first listen, thoughts of 'what the heck' come to mind.. But then you listen... Read review

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Advantages: too many to mention
Disadvantages: none

...Funky President is a collection of the godfather of soul's slightly lesser known compositions. Don't be led into thinking however that there is any compromise on quality. This is an official best of released by Polydor records, none of the cheap rubbish you find in the bargain bin at your local record shop, which sounds like it's been recorded live on a dictaphone. James Brown is not a singer so much as a conductor, backed by an extraordinarily talened group of musicians, the JBs, Brown leads from the front. He not so much sings as directs, for example on funky drummer when he prophesises "Take me into the change" leading up to the break. The breaks themselves are truly awesome, interrupting some funky groove or other like a lightning bolt and introducing a new, usually more laid back riff. The musicianship is quite simply... Read review

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Advantages: Timeless REAL soul music
Disadvantages: Only 10 tracks

...INTRO ---------- After 1980's rappers and The Smiths, James Brown is my other musical icon of choice. With a career in entertainment spanning his debut single release, "Please Please Please" in 1956 to his appearance with Will Young at this year's Olympic Torch Concert, only Cliff Richard could boast a career equal in longevity. Cliff, though, can't boast James Brown's critical kudos and influence. Of the 116 albums he's released, this effort - originally from 1981 - is one of 17 "best ofs" on the market! WHO IS HE? ------------------- Even if you don't know any of his music directly, the chances are that you'll have been affected indirectly by his vast 45 year output. For a start, he invented what used to be called "soul", that genre that put feeling and vocal passion before lyrics and image. He was 8 years ahead of Motown... Read review

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Advantages: i'll be glad if you like my poems.
Disadvantages: Unhappy feelings

...Something sad and sorrowful. SOLITUDE Muted darkened night, solitary soul of silence, silhouetted tones of soft, calm melodious reflections, glo