Bring the Funk on Down [Import]

Track Listings

1. Do The Doo

2. On The Spot

3. Up On 45 (Part 1)

4. Carry On

5. Bring The Funk On Down

6. Dynaflo

7. Why Did You Have To Go

8. What About The Music

9. There's A Price To Pay To

10. Tag Alone

11. Born To Groove

12. Who Do You Think You're F

13. Soul Men

14. Mistakes & All (Bonus)

Bring the Funk on Down,Jb's,P-Vine,R&B/Soul

Tracks:

Do The Doo
On The Spot
Up On 45 (Part 1)
Carry On
Bring The Funk On Down
Dynaflo
Why Did You Have To Go?
What About The Music
There's A Price To Pay To Live In Paradise
Tag Along
Born To Groove
Who Do You Think You're Fooling?
Soul Men
Mistakes And All

Customer Reviews:

Paint In A Can.......2004-10-15

Think of these players as paint. Without The Godfather to apply his brushstrokes you do not get a masterpiece only paint in a can.The songs,vocals and arrangements are average at best.There are no standout cuts.This shows the genius of JB because without his guidence you get a substandard cd with no excitement or drive.They should have left this paint in the can.

Not exactly "doin' it to death", but not bad either !.......2004-03-11

In all honesty, the horns are definitely the J.B.s but the rest of the album sounds like the got some from very good kids from those younger acid Jazz/Jam band groups, collabed with them...had them jam up some nice grooves, then the J.B.s overlaid the horn parts... (*not true, of course, but to me that's what it sounded like...) - - A few tracks are very strong and funky, but then there's a few tracks that border on corny, or atleast seem like something that would be better off on a smooth Jazz album, and a couple that start off funky, but just never seem to go anywhere. - - All in all, there are good moments, and the album isn't bad... In fact, it definitely competes with all those other "retro" funk bands out there... but overall... the album isn't exceptional either. - - Its worth listening to, but by no means mandatory listening, especially when compared with some of Maceo's solo projects (*not on the album.) Overall, things seem clear : the clear formula for the success of the JBs was : perfectionistic hard driving JB at the healm, revolutionary groundbreaking dance rhythms and syncopated grooves, Maceo Parker's Jazzy horn licks and lot's and lot's and lot's of experience touring and tightening up before recording... not just a one time studio jam. - - This isn't to say that the album doesn't have its moments... but all in all I predict that while a first or second time listening might give it good scores, it definitely isn't one that'll stand the test of time. ***CHUCK BROWN, where are you when we need you ????

The Godfathers of Funk.......2003-09-29

The musicians are the originals. Their talent moves throughout the songs. The drummers are so tight. I noticed THERE'S A PRICE TO PAY TO LIVE IN PARADISE was aired on THE WIRE last season. Regardless of Brown's short comings, his strong suit was being able to attract the great musicians to create the best rhythm section since the Snake Pit at Motwon. We are lucky to have these real funky guys around. I would have bought it just to compensate them for having to had worked with Brown. Lucky for my ears they all still have the funk.

You Aren't a Singer, So Don't Sing.......2003-06-18

This album is a disaster. It shows what the JB's CAN'T do without James Brown. Why they try to write and then sing lyrics when they are solid jazz musicians and pioneers of the instrumental sounds of funk is beyond me. Buy the "Funky Good Time Anthology."

Great musicians, mixed results.......2002-07-16

When I first heard about the release of this album, I practically started salivating. Together on an all-new album: Fred Wesley, Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks, Ron Tooley, Pee Wee Ellis, Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley, Bobby Byrd... the list goes on. So many legendary musicians, all of whom at some point or another played in one of James Brown's bands.

If you're not familiar with the JB's sound, buy one of the compilations of their classic '70s funk (the preferred choice being the two-disc "JB's Anthology: Funky Good Time", but there is a more economical single disc configuration available). There you will find some of the funkiest grooves ever committed to tape.

This album is good. Not in the league of the classic JB's work, but still solid. I wish there wasn't so much singing. In the old days, these guys let their instruments do most of the talking. Most of the cuts on this record have lyrics, and more often than not the singing isn't very good (the big exception being Bobby Byrd on his ballad).

Also, I was a bit dissapointed that Maceo and Bootsy are only featured on one track-- the so-called 'bonus track' "Mistakes and All". Don't get me wrong, its one of the funkiest tracks on the record (and doesn't have any annoying singing). But I really would've liked a bit more participation from those guys.

Tracks:

Do The Doo
On The Spot
Up On 45 (Part 1)
Carry On
Bring The Funk On Down
Dynaflo
Why Did You Have To Go?
What About The Music
There's A Price To Pay To Live In Paradise
Tag Alone
Born To Groove
Who Do You Think You're Fooling?
Soul Men
Mistakes And All

Customer Reviews:

A fine old school funk/jazz album.......2002-05-01

"Bring the Funk on Down" by ex-members of the JB's (as well as other configurations of James Brown bands) is a fine example of old school funk/jazz.
Very little of it compares to their 1970s output, however. The problem with most of the weaker tracks is certainly not the groove, but rather the musician's insistance to turn so many of the grooves into actual songs. It would have been a much better strategy to stick to the chanting format of the old hits like "Doing it to Death" or "Pass the Peas." When these great musicians start imposing vocal melodies on top of the grooves, the funk is toned down, sounding more like Average White Band, or Tower of Power instead of the New, New, Super-heavy funk of the classic JB's (whose sound heavily influenced these other bands).
But, since so few bands are even doing anything close to this kind of old school funk these days (excepting the oldies tours of great bands like the Ohio Players, etc)this collection is very welcome. But buy the old old school stuff first.