Sex Machine (album)
Encyclopedia
Sex Machine is a 1970
double album
by James Brown
. It showcases the playing of the original J.B.'s lineup featuring Bootsy
and Catfish Collins
, and includes an 11-minute rendition of the album's title song
. This rendition is different from the original recording of the title song, which was released as a two-part single
in 1970.
Sex Machine purports to be a live recording. However, the first LP's worth of material consists of tracks recorded in studio settings with added reverberation and overdubbed applause (some of which subsequently were released in unadulterated mixes). All but one track of the second LP apparently were recorded live in concert in Brown's hometown of Augusta, Georgia
, although this material, too, features added reverb and overdubbed applause.
Sex Machine was ranked 96th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4
to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time.
("Brother Rapp" and "Lowdown Popcorn" are the same studio performances initially released as singles. Audience-free studio versions of "Get Up I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine" and "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" appear on the CD compilation Funk Power 1970: A Brand New Thang, along with a previously unreleased take of "There Was a Time" from the same session. "Mother Popcorn," which was indeed recorded live, appears without added audience noise and with a longer running time on the CD compilation Foundations of Funk: A Brand New Bag 1964-1969. In addition, the disc Motherlode offers a live rendition of "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" purportedly from the same Augusta 1969 concert.)
Side one
Side two
Side three
Side four
1970 in music
- Events :*January 3**Davy Jones announces he is leaving the Monkees**Former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett releases his first solo album The Madcap Laughs....
double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
by James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
. It showcases the playing of the original J.B.'s lineup featuring Bootsy
Bootsy Collins
William Earl "Bootsy" Collins is an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk...
and Catfish Collins
Catfish Collins
Phelps "Catfish" Collins was a rhythm guitarist known mostly for his work in the P-Funk collective. Although frequently overshadowed by his younger brother, Bootsy Collins, Catfish played on many important and influential records by Parliament, Funkadelic, and Bootsy's Rubber Band.In 1968, the...
, and includes an 11-minute rendition of the album's title song
Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine
"Get Up Sex Machine" is a funk song recorded by James Brown in 1970 and released as a two-part single on King Records....
. This rendition is different from the original recording of the title song, which was released as a two-part single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in 1970.
Sex Machine purports to be a live recording. However, the first LP's worth of material consists of tracks recorded in studio settings with added reverberation and overdubbed applause (some of which subsequently were released in unadulterated mixes). All but one track of the second LP apparently were recorded live in concert in Brown's hometown of Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, although this material, too, features added reverb and overdubbed applause.
Sex Machine was ranked 96th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time.
Track listing
All tracks on sides one and two are studio recordings with added reverberation and audience noise. All tracks on sides three and four recorded live at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta, GA unless otherwise noted.("Brother Rapp" and "Lowdown Popcorn" are the same studio performances initially released as singles. Audience-free studio versions of "Get Up I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine" and "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" appear on the CD compilation Funk Power 1970: A Brand New Thang, along with a previously unreleased take of "There Was a Time" from the same session. "Mother Popcorn," which was indeed recorded live, appears without added audience noise and with a longer running time on the CD compilation Foundations of Funk: A Brand New Bag 1964-1969. In addition, the disc Motherlode offers a live rendition of "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" purportedly from the same Augusta 1969 concert.)
Side one
- "Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex MachineGet Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine"Get Up Sex Machine" is a funk song recorded by James Brown in 1970 and released as a two-part single on King Records....
" (Brown, Bobby ByrdBobby ByrdBobby Byrd born Robert Howard Byrd was an American funk/soul/R&B/gospel musician, songwriter and record producer. He was born in Toccoa, Georgia, and is a 1998 winner of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's prestigious Pioneer Award...
, Ron Lenhoff) - 10:48 - "Brother Rapp (Part I & Part II) - (Brown) 5:09
Side two
- Medley: - 13:42
- "BewilderedBewildered"Bewildered" is a popular song written in 1936 by Teddy Powell and Leonard Whitcup. It was a 1938 hit for Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, and was also recorded by Mildred Bailey in the same year. The song was revived in the late forties when two different versions, by the Red Miller Trio and Amos...
" (Teddy PowellTeddy PowellTeddy Powell was an American jazz guitarist, composer and big band leader...
, Leonard Whitcup) - 6:09 - "I Got The Feelin'I Got the Feelin'"I Got the Feelin" is a funk song by James Brown. Released as a single in 1968, it reached #1 on the R&B charts and #6 on the pop charts. It also appeared on a 1968 album of the same name....
" (Brown) - 1:07 - "Give It Up or Turnit a LooseGive It Up or Turnit a Loose"Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" is a funk song recorded by James Brown. Released as a single in 1969, it was a #1 R&B hit and also made the top 20 pop singles chart...
" (Charles Bobbit) - 6:26
- "Bewildered
Side three
- "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door I'll Get It Myself)" (Brown) - 4:31
- "Licking Stick - Licking StickLicking Stick - Licking Stick"Licking Stick — Licking Stick" is a song recorded by James Brown in 1968. It was released as a two-part single and also appeared on the album Say It Loud — I'm Black and I'm Proud...
" (Brown, Byrd, Pee Wee Ellis) - 1:19 - "Lowdown Popcorn" (Brown) - 3:25 (studio recording)
- "Spinning Wheel" (Clayton-Thomas) - 4:02
- "If I Ruled the WorldIf I Ruled the World"If I Ruled the World" is a popular song, composed by Leslie Bricusse and Cyril Ornadel, which was originally from the 1963 West End musical Pickwick...
" (Leslie BricusseLeslie BricusseLeslie Bricusse is an English composer, lyricist, and playwright.Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was educated at University College School in London and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
, Cyril OrnadelCyril OrnadelCyril Ornadel was a British conductor, songwriter and composer chiefly in musical theatre.Cyril Ornadel was born in London. He studied at the Royal College of Music. During the 1950s he was famous for conducting the orchestra for the hit TV show The Sunday Night At The Palladium...
) - 4:03
Side four
- "There Was a Time" (Brown, Hobgood) - 4:04
- "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" (Brown, Betty Jean Newsome) - 3:42
- "Please, Please, PleasePlease, Please, Please"Please, Please, Please" is an R&B song written by James Brown and Johnny Terry and recorded by Brown and The Flames. Released in 1956 as a single on the Cincinnati, Ohio-based label Federal Records, it was Brown's first professional recording and his first hit, eventually selling over a million...
" (Brown, Johnny Terry) - 2:26 - "I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)" (Brown) - 1:28
- "Mother PopcornMother Popcorn"Mother Popcorn ", is a song recorded by James Brown and released as a two-part single in 1969. A #1 R&B and #11 Pop hit,. It was the highest-charting of a series of recordings inspired by the popular dance The Popcorn which Brown made that year...
" (Brown) - 5:50
Personnel
- James Brown - Organ, Piano, Vocals, Producer
- Bobby ByrdBobby ByrdBobby Byrd born Robert Howard Byrd was an American funk/soul/R&B/gospel musician, songwriter and record producer. He was born in Toccoa, Georgia, and is a 1998 winner of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's prestigious Pioneer Award...
- Organ, Vocals - Bootsy CollinsBootsy CollinsWilliam Earl "Bootsy" Collins is an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk...
- Bass - Phelps "Catfish" Collins - Guitar
- Joseph Davis - Trumpet
- Pee Wee EllisPee Wee EllisAlfred "Pee Wee" Ellis is an American saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was an important member of James Brown's band in the 1960s and appeared on many of Brown's most notable recordings...
- Alto saxophone - Robert Graham - Background vocals
- Richard "Kush" Griffith - Trumpet
- Johnny Griggs - Conga
- Clayton "Chicken" Gunnells - Trumpet
- Darryl "Hasaan" Jamison - Trumpet
- Alphonso "Country" Kellum - Bass, Guitar
- Ron Lenhoff - Engineer
- Art Lopez - Percussion
- Robert "Chopper" McCullough - Tenor saxophone
- Jimmy NolenJimmy NolenJimmy Nolen was an American guitarist, known for his distinctive "chicken scratch" lead guitar playing in James Brown's bands.-Early life and career:...
- Guitar - Maceo ParkerMaceo ParkerMaceo Parker is an American funk and soul jazz saxophonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s, as well as Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s. Parker was a prominent soloist on many of Brown's hit recordings, and a key part of his band, playing alto, tenor and baritone saxophones...
- Organ, Tenor saxophone - Melvin Parker - Drums
- St. Clair PinckneySt. Clair PinckneySt. Clair Pinckney was a saxophonist who performed with James Brown as a member of the James Brown Orchestra and The J.B.'s. He played tenor and baritone saxophone.-External links:*...
- Baritone & Tenor saxophone - Kenny Poole - Guitar
- Sweet Charles Sherrell - Bass
- John Starks - Drums
- Clyde Stubblefield - Drums
- Fred WesleyFred WesleyFred Wesley is an American jazz and funk trombonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
- Trombone - Marva Whitney - Background vocals
- Eldee Williams - Tenor saxophone
External links
- Sex Machine at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...