Sex Machine
James Brown · 1970
64 min · 15 tracks · blues
A pulsating blend of funk grooves and sultry vocals that defines the essence of 70s soul music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine Start here — This track serves as the album's explosive opener, blending infectious rhythms with Brown's commanding vocal delivery, establishing the energetic tone for the entire record.
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I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door I'll Get It Myself) — This song illustrates Brown's signature message of self-reliance and empowerment, driven by tight instrumentation that highlights the band’s cohesion in a live setting.
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It's a Man's Man's Man's World — With its poignant lyrics and slow-burning groove, this track showcases Brown's versatility and emotional depth, contrasting with the album’s more upbeat tracks.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's dynamic grooves and innovative structures solidify its place in funk history.
What we noticed
- The title track features a call-and-response structure between Brown's vocals and the band, creating an interactive feel.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections that showcase the tightness of the rhythm section and allow for improvisation.
- The album opens with a high-energy track and maintains a consistent groove throughout, with only brief moments of slower tempos.
- The last three tracks feature a gradual decrease in tempo, providing a contrast to the energetic opening and mid-section.
- 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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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- wave-like pacing with intensity
- celebratory grooves that inspire movement
- dynamic flow of raw energy
- for dance floor vibes
- engaging call-and-response moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike lengthy improvisational sections
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established James Brown's reputation in funk, following the success of 'Hot Pants.'
- Themes
- raw sexual energy· self-empowerment anthems· cultural revolution soundtrack
- Career context
- Released on September 1, 1970, 'Sex Machine' marked a pivotal moment in James Brown's career as his first live album. Following the commercial success of 'Hot Pants,' this album solidified his status as the 'Godfather of Soul' while showcasing his evolving style and the raw energy of his live performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· Sly and the Family Stone· Parliament-Funkadelic
Tracklist
- 1 Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine Start here 10:48
- 2 Brother Rapp, Parts 1 & 2 5:09
- 3 Bewildered 6:09
- 4 I Got the Feelin' 1:07
- 5 Give It Up or Turnit a Loose 6:26
- 6 I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door I'll Get It Myself) 4:31
- 7 Licking Stick - Licking Stick 1:19
- 8 Lowdown Popcorn 3:25
- 9 Spinning Wheel 4:02
- 10 If I Ruled the World 4:03
- 11 There Was a Time 4:04
- 12 It's a Man's Man's Man's World 3:42
- 13 Please, Please, Please 2:26
- 14 I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me) 1:28
- 15 Mother Popcorn 5:51
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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