MOG Editorial Review

Although funk-soul legend Rick James struck commercial and critical gold with his breakout debut album Come Get It! in 1978, he refused to rest on his laurels and stick to a safe formula in future works. James constantly tweaked his funk formula, mixing in elements of pop and soul to forge into new realms of contemporary music. The fruits of James' labor came to life with his fifth album, Street Stories, in which James took the world of music by storm with his unique brand of edgy funk. Coming in at just over a half-hour, the compact album contains no filler and is virtually a thrill ride from start to finish. One notable exception being the iconic "Fire and Desire," a duet with his protege Teena Marie. Street Stories is an excellent place to start for younger music fans who discovering Rick James was much more than "Super Freak" and a punchline on Chappelle's Show.