At the start of 1966, James Brown was at his peak as a crossover star, having hit the pop Top Ten twice in a row in the last six months, first with "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," and then with his biggest-ever pop success, "I Got You (I Feel Good)." But Brown was a singles artist almost exclusively; for him, LPs simply constituted a different configuration in which to re-sell his singles. So, his '60s LPs consisted of his current hit plus previously released singles tracks. The I Got You (I Feel Good) LP was no exception: Leading off with the title track, it included songs that dated back to 1959's "Good, Good Loving." Of course, some of these tracks, such as "Lost Someone,""Night Train," and "Think," were among Brown's classics, so the collection on the whole is appealing, even if arbitrary. [William Ruhlmann]
Thee Hardest-Working Man in Show Business [after Mr.Eliminator] JB groovie '66 slab, a rollin' collection of hot R&B rockers and tearjerker Soul ballads gonna have you on yer knees begging for more. Soul-Dynamic Surfadelic Vinyl Rip just for your greasy royal ear-holes. I FEEEEEEL NICE, like sugar and spice. Dig!!!
