James Brown
Hell (Polydor 523983)

Looming on the horizon of any music collector, especially one with an interest in soul music, is the daunting prospect of the large, seething mass that is James Browns's discography. How does one begin to attack his recorded output, aside from the greatest hits collections and box sets and apart from the overly obvious, overrated, oft-quoted critics' fave, 1963's Live at the Apollo?

Especially tempting out of all these albums are the early-to-mid-seventies funk excursions, from Sex Machine to The Payback soundtrack. Hence the allure of Hell, a 1974 double album (fortunately compressed to one CD) with a great cover and a whole lotta soul and funk inside.

It's a listenable album, all tightly played, deft funk, marked by the classic/obligatory James Brown hallmark shouts. "Coldblooded" and "Hell," which open the album, are the best tracks here, though there are some good slow-burners as well, and a hilarious, yet very listenable, version of "When the Saints Go Marchin' In."

Added bonus: more than half the songs open with a gong hit, a la "Jungle Boogie" – regardless of the tempo/mood of what follows. Possibly this was utilized for the "concept album" feel, introducing the listener into the "gates of hell"?

Who knows … what lies herein sounds somewhat sinful, perhaps, but not extreme enough to be truly scary.

Loud Bassoon rating scale

Review by HIP