If Count Basie had hired James Brown to replace Joe Williams as his featured male vocalist, what would the results have sounded like? Brown offers some suggestions on Soul on Top, which finds the Godfather of Soul making an intriguing detour into jazz-minded ig-band territory. Recorded in 1969 and reissued on CD in 2004, Soul on Top unites Brown with the Basie-influenced orchestra of jazz drummer Louie Bellson -- and stylistically, the results are somewhere between soul-funk and the funkier side of ig-band jazz. This Brown/Bellson collaboration isn't straight-ahead jazz; nor is it typical of Brown's late-'60s output. But if recording a ig-band project with Bellson was a surprising and unexpected thing for the Godfather of Soul to do in 1969, it was hardly illogical or bizarre -- Brown, after all, grew up listening to jazz (as well as lues and gospel) and was well aware of the legacies of Basie, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, and others. Besides, jazz and R&B are closely related. While some jazz snobs would have listeners believe that jazz and R&B have little if anything in common, the fact is that they're close relatives that get much of their energy and feeling from the lues. So it makes perfect sense for Brown to combine soul, funk, and jazz on this album, which finds him revisiting some major hits (including "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "It's a Man's Man's Man's World") in addition to embracing "September Song," "That's My Desire," and other standards that one typically associates with jazz and raditional pop. Although not among the Godfather's better-known efforts, this fine album is happily recommended to anyone who holds R&B and jazz in equally high regard.
With James Brown being my first concert at the ripe age of around 3, the groove seeds were firmly planted in my soul.On this 1970 release, Soul On Top, the Godfather of Soul is backed by the Louis Bellson Orchestra with Oliver Nelson conducting. It is a treat to hear this collection of standards and jazzed-up covers of his own hits in the big band setting.
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this track is truly amazing and fun. . . o well the whole damn record is....james brown recorded this album with the Louie Bellson big band...that's right JB with LB ... JB with a BIG BAND“When people talk about soul music, they only talk about gospel and r&b coming together. That’s accurate about a lot of soul, but if you are going to talk about mine, you have to remember the jazz in it. That
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if you know about and are listening to this album (this on the label i work for)
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this track is truly amazing and fun. . . o well the whole damn record is....james brown recorded this album with the Louie Bellson big band...that's right JB with LB ... JB with a BIG BAND“When people talk about soul music, they only talk about gospel and r&b coming together. That’s accurate about a lot of soul, but if you are going to talk about mine, you have to remember the jazz in it. That
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A few people have sent me messages on other singers that I like.I am into slow romantic ballads,jazz and blues mostly.I have really never liked James Brown music until recently. I found three cds by him called "Soul On Top" , "JAZZ" and "Ballads".Totally different from the James Brown I have known on the radio.I found on Soul On Top cd a song called IT'S MAGIC.Yes the old song we all know Doris...
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With James Brown being my first concert at the ripe age of around 3, the groove seeds were firmly planted in my soul.On this 1970 release, Soul On Top, the Godfather of Soul is backed by the Louis Bellson Orchestra with Oliver Nelson conducting. It is a treat to hear this collection of standards and jazzed-up covers of his own hits in the big band setting.
More >
if you know about and are listening to this album (this on the label i work for)
More >
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 "Soul on Top")
