Original Vinyl on Philips - Cover (VG+) Media (VG+)
Grits and Soul finds James Brown in serious Ray Charles mode, drawing inspiration from Charles' big band and organ playing. The results are pure James Brown, of course; his personality has always been too strong to allow any one influence to achieve top billing. Like Brother Ray, the band is razor sharp, no doubt from the endless one-nighters, and the strong hand of their leader. The jazz backgrounds of most of the players are in evidence here, especially on their steady if unspectacular take of Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder." Where they really shine is on "Grits," a slow, throbbing, burbling blues that continually threatens to boil over before simmering down.