Released 60 years ago
James Brown Plays New Breed
James Brown · 1966
36 min · 9 tracks · blues
A vibrant fusion of funk and soul that captures the exuberance of the burgeoning dance scene in mid-60s America.
Top tracks — play these first
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New Breed Start here — The title track showcases Brown's dynamic vocal delivery paired with an infectious groove, establishing the album's energetic tone and setting a template for future funk styles.
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Slow Walk — This track features intricate horn arrangements combined with a laid-back rhythm, demonstrating Brown’s skill in blending various musical elements while maintaining a danceable feel.
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All About My Girl — A standout ballad that highlights Brown's emotive singing style, it juxtaposes the upbeat tracks with moments of heartfelt expression, revealing his versatility as an artist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong compositions and vibrant horn arrangements, solidifying Brown's funk influence.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong, upbeat track that sets a high-energy tone, followed by several tracks that maintain a consistent groove.
- Horn arrangements are prominent throughout, often punctuating the rhythm and adding layers to the sound.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections where the rhythm section locks in while horns and guitar take turns improvising.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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 exploration of rhythmic grooves
- vibrant energy for dance parties
- wave-like pacing for engagement
- invigorating tracks for social settings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek slow, meditative experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Helped solidify James Brown's role as a cultural icon in the funk genre.
- Themes
- 1960s funk revolution· dynamic horn arrangements· soulful storytelling
- Career context
- Released in 1966, 'James Brown Plays New Breed' followed Brown's landmark album 'Live at the Apollo,' solidifying his role as a cultural icon. At this point, he was transitioning from a popular R&B artist to a revolutionary figure in funk music, showcasing his innovative sound and stage presence.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· Sly and the Family Stone· Parliament-Funkadelic
Tracklist
- 1 New Breed Start here 3:42
- 2 Slow Walk 5:46
- 3 Vonshelia 5:54
- 4 Fat Bag
- 5 Jabo 2:35
- 6 Lost in the Mood of Changes 2:00
- 7 All About My Girl 6:25
- 8 Hooks 2:30
- 9 Sumpin' Else 7:11
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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