Cold Sweat
James Brown · 1967
34 min · 12 tracks · blues
A pioneering blend of funk and soul, featuring tight grooves and hypnotic rhythms that redefine the genre's landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cold Sweat, Part 1 Start here — This track is pivotal for its innovative use of syncopated rhythms and horn arrangements, setting the stage for modern funk.
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Fever — Brown's rendition infuses the classic with a soulful intensity, showcasing his vocal prowess and emotional depth.
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Stagger Lee — This interpretation blends storytelling with raw energy, highlighting Brown's ability to transform narratives into compelling musical experiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This album showcases innovative rhythms and strong vocal performances, marking a pivotal moment in funk music.
What we noticed
- The title track features a repetitive, syncopated rhythm that drives the song forward, with horns punctuating the groove.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocals, creating an interactive feel between Brown and his band.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- 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
Defined its genre or moment. 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
- steady groove for dancing
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- energizing vibe for gatherings
- catchy rhythms that invite movement
- soulful melodies for uplifting moods
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, introspective pieces
- seek complex, layered arrangements
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — 'Cold Sweat' is pivotal in establishing James Brown's funk sound and wider recognition.
- Themes
- funk revolution· sensual soul· storytelling tradition
- Career context
- Released in January 1967, 'Cold Sweat' marked James Brown's transition into a more pronounced funk sound following his previous success with 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag.' This album showcased Brown's artistic evolution during a peak period of creativity, influencing the direction of popular music for years to come.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· Sly and the Family Stone· Parliament-Funkadelic
Tracklist
- 1 Cold Sweat, Part 1 Start here 2:25
- 2 Cold Sweat, Part 2 4:49
- 3 Fever 3:05
- 4 Kansas City 3:24
- 5 Stagger Lee 2:45
- 6 Good Rockin' Tonight 2:28
- 7 Mona Lisa 1:57
- 8 I Want to Be Around 2:25
- 9 Nature Boy 2:41
- 10 Come Rain or Come Shine 2:51
- 11 I Loves You Porgy 2:36
- 12 Back Stabbin' 2:44
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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