Make It Funky – The Big Payback: 1971–1975 cover

Make It Funky – The Big Payback: 1971–1975

James Brown · 1996

154 min · 26 tracks · blues · funk · soul

A relentless groove of funk anthems that encapsulate James Brown's transformative power in music.

Why this album works

This album is significant for its detailed curation of Brown's influential tracks that helped define funk music. It revitalized interest in his 1970s work, leading to critical acclaim and reestablishing his relevance during a time when older artists were often overlooked. Moreover, it demonstrates the lasting impact of Brown's sound on subsequent generations of musicians and genres.
Best for
relentless grooves for dancing dynamic exploration of wave-like pacing for engagement
Context
By the time 'Make It Funky – The Big Payback: 1971–1975' was released in 1996, James Brown had already cemented his legacy as the 'Godfather of Soul.' This compilation showcases his pivotal work from a creatively rich period marked by innovative funk rhythms and social commentary, following his 1986 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and well into his later career.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Escape‐Ism 4:05
  • 2 Hot Pants, Parts 1 & 2 6:58
  • 3 I’m a Greedy Man 7:11
  • 4 Make It Funky, Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4 12:49
  • 5 King Heroin 3:59
  • 6 I Got Ants in My Pants (and I Want to Dance) 7:28
  • 7 There It Is 5:50
  • 8 Get on the Good Foot Standout 5:47
  • 9 Don’t Tell It (complete version) 8:28
  • 10 I Got a Bag of My Own 3:49
  • 11 Down and Out in New York City (version with spoken intro) 5:24
  • 12 Think 3:14
  • 13 Make It Good to Yourself (interlude) 2:19

Disc 2

  • 1 The Payback Standout 7:36
  • 2 Stoned to the Bone 4:06
  • 3 Mind Power (alternate version) 4:06
  • 4 World of Soul 5:46
  • 5 Papa Don't Take No Mess Standout 13:53
  • 6 Coldblooded (undubbed version) 5:06
  • 7 I Can't Stand It '76 8:12
  • 8 My Thang 4:17
  • 9 Funky President (People It's Bad) (original Speed Master version) 4:10
  • 10 I Feel Good 3:05
  • 11 Problems 2:52
  • 12 Turn on the Head and Build Some Fire 6:09
  • 13 Hot Pants Finale (live) 7:20

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata