James Brown was a singer songwriter and bandleader who was one of the primary originators of funk and souls music in the 1950s and '60s and became known as "The Godfather Of Soul", underlining his status as one of the most influential figures in pop music in the latter half of the 20th century, ranking seventh in Rolling Stones magazine's greatest artists of all time. Beginning his career in gospel music, he moved into secular R&B in the mid-50s, acquiring a reputation as a dynamic 'live' performer and started recording for the Federal label in 1956 with his band The Famous Flames.

This great-value 57-track 2-CD set comprises most of the A and |B sides of his singles on the Federal and King labels, both with The Famous Flames and sols, during these significant early years of his career, when he developed his trademark style and laid the groundwork for his pioneering funk performances during the '60s and '70s. It naturally features all his nineteen pop and R&B hits from this era, including his Top 5 R&B debut "Please Please, Please" the R&B No. 1 "Try Me", and the R&B No. 2s "Lost Someone" and "Baby You're Right". It's an entertaining insight into the musical roots of his later landmark successes, and is a great showcase for one of the most sensational soul and funk voices of all time.

REVIEWS

"There are numerous up temo gems among the 57 tracks spread across two CDs" John Howard **** (Vintage Rock  Issue 39)

Hypnotic… This guy had rock’n’roll in his bones” - Pete Bowen (Now Dig This)