James Brown Vinyl Records

James Brown effectively invented funk. The shift from the gospel-rooted soul of "Please, Please, Please" through "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and into the relentless rhythmic discipline of "Cold Sweat" and "Funky Drummer" reshaped popular music in a way few artists ever do. The King Records and Polydor pressings of his late-60s and early-70s peak hold up as some of the most influential records ever made.

The original pressings have a particular forwardness in the drums and horns that the modern reissues largely preserve. The Live at the Apollo records — particularly the 1962 original — sit in the canon of great live recordings.

Best James Brown Albums on Vinyl

Live at the Apollo (1962)
— Possibly the greatest live record ever issued. Recorded on a single night at the Harlem Apollo. Essential.

Sex Machine (1970)
— Studio and live double album from the JB's era. "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" anchors it.

The Payback (1973)
— His longest-form funk record. Title track is a slow, brilliant 7-minute groove.

Star Time (1991, box)
— If you're committing to one James Brown anthology, this 4-LP set covers the full career. Reference quality.

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Browse James Brown by genre:

Soul, Funk & R&B