Bustin' Out of L Seven
Rick James · 1979
40 min · 7 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of funk and disco infused with rock elements, pulsating with infectious grooves and energetic vocal performances.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bustin' Out Start here — The title track is an exuberant anthem that encapsulates James's energetic style, featuring catchy hooks and a danceable groove that became synonymous with his sound.
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High on Your Love Suite / One Mo Hit (Of Your Love) — This track showcases James's ability to weave complex musical arrangements with lush instrumentation and dynamic shifts, highlighting his versatility as a songwriter and producer.
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Cop 'n' Blow — With its funky bassline and playful lyrics, this song exemplifies James's characteristic fusion of humor and sexuality, making it a standout cut in his catalog.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong funk compositions with energetic performances, though it doesn't fully break new ground.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy title track that features layered horns and syncopated rhythms, setting a vibrant tone.
- Tracks often shift between sections, such as the transition from the groove of 'High on Your Love Suite' to the more laid-back 'Love (interlude)'.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the interactive feel typical of funk music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- infectious rhythms for dancing
- playful energy for gatherings
- wave-like pacing for enjoyment
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Follow-up to debut, solidified Rick James's funk-rock style and wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released on January 26, 1979, Bustin' Out of L Seven was Rick James's second studio album, following his successful debut Come Get It! from 1978. At this point in his career, James was establishing himself as a formidable force in the funk and R&B scenes, capitalizing on the momentum generated by his first record.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· George Clinton· Sly and the Family Stone
Tracklist
- 1 Bustin' Out Start here 5:22
- 2 High on Your Love Suite / One Mo Hit (Of Your Love) 7:26
- 3 Love (interlude) 1:52
- 4 Spacey Love 5:27
- 5 Cop 'n' Blow 5:05
- 6 Jefferson Ball 7:22
- 7 Fool on the Street 7:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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