#9 of 25
· Cratewise Editorial
“'I Got You (I Feel Good),' 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag,' 'Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine.' The Godfather's best, under $15 new. No collection should be without James Brown.”
James Brown (1933-2006) rose from poverty in South Carolina to become one of the most influential and prolific recording artists in music history. Known as the "Godfather of Soul," Brown pioneered funk music in the 1960s with a relentless work ethic that resulted in over 100 charting singles. His career breakthrough came with hits like "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (1965) and "I Feel Good" (1965), which showcased his revolutionary approach to rhythm and groove. Brown's influence extended far beyond soul and funk—his rhythmic innovations directly impacted hip-hop, rock, and electronic music. His live performances were legendary for their energy and choreography, setting new standards for concert entertainment. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Brown continued recording prolifically, maintaining relevance across multiple decades.
Style
James Brown created funk and soul music characterized by syncopated rhythmic grooves, prominent horn sections, and call-and-response vocals. His style emphasized the "one"—the first beat of the measure—as the foundation for complex polyrhythmic arrangements that departed from traditional pop song structures.
Significance
James Brown's recordings are essential to any serious funk or soul vinyl collection, with original pressings of albums like "Live at the Apollo" (1963) and "Sex Machine" (1970) highly sought by collectors. His influence on subsequent genres makes his vinyl catalog foundational for understanding modern music history, and his prolific output across multiple labels ensures collectors can pursue specialized collections of particular eras.
"20 All-Time Greatest Hits" is a compilation album that brings together James Brown's most essential recordings from his prolific career with King Records during the 1950s and 1960s. The album showcases Brown's evolution from his early days as a gospel-influenced R&B vocalist to his emergence as the "Godfather of Soul," featuring landmark tracks that defined his artistic trajectory. Rather than a studio album, this collection represents the label's effort to capitalize on Brown's legendary status by curating his most commercially successful and culturally significant recordings. The selection spans from his early hits like "Please, Please, Please" and "Try Me" through his revolutionary funk-influenced recordings, capturing the essence of his groundbreaking contributions to American popular music.
Historical Context
This compilation was released during a period when James Brown's influence on popular music was undeniable, and reissue collections became increasingly popular as audiences sought accessible entry points to comprehensive artist catalogs. By the time such compilations emerged, Brown had already revolutionized funk and soul music, influencing countless artists across multiple genres. The collection served both longtime fans seeking a comprehensive overview and new listeners discovering his catalog. Brown's legacy as a prolific recording artist and live performer had cemented him as one of the most important figures in 20th-century American music.
Pressing Notes
Compilation albums like this were typically released across multiple formats and pressings by King Records and subsequent rights holders. Vinyl collectors should note that various editions exist with different cover artwork, label designs, and track selections depending on the era and region of release. King Records pressings from different periods may have varying sound quality, with earlier pressings sometimes offering superior fidelity to later budget reissues. Collectors interested in this compilation should examine the label design, catalog number, and pressing date to identify their specific edition, as reissues were common throughout the 1970s and beyond.
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