Sex Machine Today
James Brown · 1975
42 min · 6 tracks · blues
A pulsating blend of funk grooves and soulful vocals that embodies the raw energy of a live performance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sex Machine, Parts 1-2 Start here — The title track is a masterclass in funk rhythm and showcases Brown's call-and-response vocal style, creating an infectious groove that has influenced countless artists.
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I Feel Good — This iconic hit captures the essence of Brown's upbeat energy and joyful spirit, making it one of his most recognizable songs.
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Dead on It — With its extended improvisation, this track exemplifies Brown’s ability to fuse structured performance with spontaneous creativity, reflecting his live show dynamism.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong grooves and vocal interplay but varies in energy and pacing across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a nearly ten-minute title track that features a call-and-response structure between Brown's vocals and the band.
- Each track maintains a strong rhythmic foundation, with prominent bass lines and brass sections driving the energy throughout.
- The last two tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a contrast to the high-energy opening songs.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- pulsating grooves for dancing
- dynamic exploration of themes
- energizing tracks for parties
- wave-like pacing for engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified Brown's status as the 'Godfather of Soul' with defining funk anthems.
- Themes
- pulsating grooves· dance floor liberation· 1970s funk scene
- Career context
- By 1975, James Brown was already an established figure in music, having released several influential albums since the late 1950s. 'Sex Machine Today' came after his groundbreaking work in funk, marking a significant moment as it featured live recordings, showcasing his dynamic stage presence and improvisational prowess during this phase of his career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· Sly and the Family Stone· Parliament-Funkadelic
Tracklist
- 1 Sex Machine, Parts 1-2 Start here 11:55
- 2 I Feel Good 3:05
- 3 Problems 2:49
- 4 Dead on It 13:08
- 5 Get Up Off of Me 3:59
- 6 Deep in It 7:31
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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