James Brown's most groundbreaking period, 1968-72 or so, has always been a little under-appreciated and the world is still learning how important his work at that time truly was. Of course, during these years James was almost single-handedly inventing funk, with some of the most relentless and tightest bands the world has ever seen. Even the unreleased outtakes were still extremely influential to large chunks of the music world. This is a remastered reissue of a compilation that was put together in 1988, which in turn collected outtakes from the funk years. Here we can see the building blocks of all funk to come, as later musicians built entire empires on the ideas that James starts here.

For JB collectors one of the most interesting cuts here is "Since You've Been Gone," a strong duet with mainman MC Bobby Bird, featuring almost the same riff and rhythm as "Give It Up or Turn It a Loose." Sax god Maceo Parker goes nuts on the lost instrumental jam "Funk Bomb," while "You Got to Have a Mother For Me" is an enlightening ancestor of the famous "Mother Popcorn." Two later tracks show clearly how JB kept in tune with the revolution that he started. "People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul" (1973) features R&B/soul-inflected grooves that anticipate the entire Parliament-Funkadelic delivery that they perfected a few years later; while the twelve-minute monster "Bodyheat" (1976) is a big syncopated chicken-scratch groove of the type practiced by Ohio Players and their ilk. This is a fascinating collection both for JB collectors and lovers of the super heavy funk.

It appears that this great collection has never been reissued until today! Totally unique in the JB record catalogue, let's assume something was lacking in radio station or record company promotion support. Originally, the vinyl and cassette issue contained all unknown songs or unknown versions of songs and the CD added a remix or two of familiar tracks. "Motherlode" was surely the right title for the collector and serious fan; for the new fans inspired by three or four golden oldies on radio it was a solid conversation piece.

Naturally, today we look for extended versions and previously unreleased Bonus tracks on reissues. We get that here in a few places: "You Got To Have A Mother For Me" (the forerunner- variant of "Mother Popcorn" has the JB countdown); "Can I Get Some Help" is much longer and unedited; and the one I was waiting for - "You've Changed", a bluesy funk based somewhat on an excellent earlier Marva Whitney tune. This is prime James Brown from a very creative period.

We ride sky high with that Track Twelve only to descend gently to earth for a supposed more "commercial" entry: the easy to find "Bodyheat". Although the mix brings out the voices and horns from the backyard to the front porch and it runs to 11:53 (the longest pressing out there to my knowledge) one can only dream of still unthawed chunks of "Soul Power", "Get Involved", "Hot Pants", etc., etc. live from the Apollo which could have ensured a true CD-bin perennial.

I've been collecting James on vinyl since I was a tiny kid and my neighbor gave me the soundtrack for "Ski Party" which I played everyday for at least a year! Drove my mother nuts. Later on when I could ride a bicycle, I would get up at 7AM on Saturday mornings [and I was always up late, still am!] to go to record "swap meets" to buy more JAMES BROWN vinyls. I was obssessed! They are my most treasured possession to this day.

So, in my humble obsessive opinion, "Motherlode" is simply fantastic. It sounds kinda like jams where the fellas were writing the songs and working out some ideas grooving away in the studio. Very loose, very beautiful, very swinging. Maceo does one solo that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Oooo eeeee!

It's true, this set does not have the standard JB chart classics, so if you are new to this genius, you'd do better with "Startime" or one of the more standard compilations. Another James B fanatic sent me a copy of Motherlode from Italy, and I did not take it out of my car CD player for 2 weeks. Highly recommended for the dreaded drive to work on Monday morning. Makes the time whiz right by.

Same heavy funk with the JBs but with a new variety of beats, guitar parts and horn lines - the best tracks are the ones you don't hear much elsewhere. The standout is SINCE YOU BEEN GONE - churning groove, with a shuffling snare, crunchin guitar and and a simple, brillaint vocal hook. The other gem is UNTITLED INSTRUMENTAL I remembered as a sample from a SCARFACE record - the baddest horn line you'll ever hear. CAN I GET SOME HELP(tasty repeating guitar line), ANTS IN MY PANTS, and BODYHEAT are also great. If you like this stuff I'd say BLACK CAESAR SOUNDTRACK is a close cousin - great stuff not overplayed.

Not quite as classic as ITJG but a must have nonetheless. Has some excellent live versions as well as some hard to find tracks. It's hard to go wrong with JB.