James Brown's Funky People's
'Greatest Breakbeats'
Universal/Polydor
Released April 2006

Hot on the heels of Brown's own set of awesome 45's breakbeats a while back, Universal Music bring you another slice of James Brown produced goodies this time arranged for an array of similar minded funksters of the early to mid seventies. Whilst JB was the master of the funk groove himself he wasn't satisfied to keep it all for himself and instead launched the US People label in the US for the likes of Lyn Collins, The JB's, and Maceo Parker the result of which brought a new, yet familiar  groove the worlds dancefloor's via some neat nagging funk grooves  that had record collectors begging for more.

The earliest examples appeared on the UK Mojo label in 1972 (distributed and marketed by the respected Blues & Soul magazine) bringing such gems as 'These Are The JB's' as well as titles from Marva Whitney and Lyn Collins. Brown's formulae was much sampled in later years yet never quite rivaled the original thing and often his sides were long overdrawn funky workouts often spread out over both sides of the single. Check out the irresistible 'Same Beat' from the aforementioned JB's to see what I mean - simple yet devastatingly effective and this track has the Reverend Jesse Jackson sampled from his appearance at Wattstax in 1973 chanting "I Am Somebody" complete with live crowd - amazing!!.

The JB's were responsible for further grooves over the next couple of years including 'Gimme Some More' and 'Pass The Peas' confirming that it what was in the groove rather than in the title that mattered. The nation's dancefloors across the US revelled in these extra artists using Brown's successful formulae but here in the UK on certain releases caught on in the same way leaving it almost fifteen years before the mad scramble to pick up these now rare groove sides which were commanding silly money especially Maceo's 'Cross The Tracks'.

Whilst the groove rules on these songs one must not forget the raw power and sheer talent of some of the artists here especially Lyn Collins and Marva Whitney who could also deliver a blinding ballad or two when the need arises although its fair to say that they ruled supreme with the masters of funk behind them. You may recall James Brown's 'Soul Power' from 1974 well have a listen at Maceo Parkers brass laden instrumental to see how this great floor filler continues the legacy and wins new fans worldwide.

Brown's sidekick through the 60's Bobby Byrd had his moment of glory in 1974 when his uptempo single release 'I Know You Got Soul' got a UK release on the Seville label and enjoyed some success with this release in certain upfront clubs here in the UK and like Brown this song (centered on a single guitar lick and Funky Drummer sample) became a samplers delight in almost twenty years later.

My own favourite from this set has to be 'Think' from the aforementioned Ms Collins which boasts the most danceable and commercial track on the CD featuring JB himself on background vocals and a stunning bass line and haunting sax playing throughout - simply brilliant.

This set makes an essential purchase for those who love to experiment with original material and hip hop DJ's who will find plenty to party with, or for those just wishing to explore that James Brown groove of the 70's.

Rating 8/10