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Monday, 03 March 2008
Mr Chuck's homage to Mr JB
"To sample James Brown you gotta have dignity. To sample James Brown you gotta have integrity (...) To sample James Brown you gotta throw your shoulder back and hold your head up high and make your community proud". With this exerpt begins the last song of Chuck D's last masterpiece, Tribb to JB.
It's more than obvious that James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, was also the Godfather of Rap, as thousands of hip-hop "producaz" found their inspiration -or their lack of inspiration- by crate diggin' into James Brown discography. And among them, the (in)famous Bomb Squad was one of the greatest user of JB's samples : think Public Enemy, think (even more obviously) Son of Bazerk.
So, one year after the Soul Brother Number One, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business's death, Mr Chuck D and his mate from his own label, Slamjamz Records, pays his tribute to his mentor with this album of JB's classics cover versions. Chuck D's rappin, with Kyle Jason's singing, along with The BaNNed (the live group with Public Enemy on stage), Crew Grrl Order, Professor Griff, the Impossibulls, and a bunch of real live horns join themselves for this rather dangerous exercise. And the results is beyond all expectancies!
The outro, a live version of King Heroin, is performed on BB King Club's stage by some young girl called Automn, and I defy any of you not to have your tears to your eyes while listening to her rendition.
This album's definitely a must-have, so run into it quick!
Chuck D and Slamjamz Artist Revue, Tribb to JB, Slamjamz Records.
18:20 Posted in Sounds of today | Permalink | Email this