album · May 12, 1967

James Brown Sings Raw Soul

James Brown

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This 1967 collection gathers singles and B-sides from 1965-1966, showcasing Brown's transition into the raw, stripped-down sound that would define his funk era. It notably includes the controversial but seminal track "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag."

• "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" was released as a single in 1965, reaching number one on the R&B charts.
• The album was released on the King Records subsidiary UNI, later acquired by Motown.
• This album compiles tracks recorded between 1965 and 1966, predating the full development of the funk sound he would later perfect.

James Brown was an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer from Barnwell, South Carolina, best known as the godfather of soul. By 1967, Brown had already established himself as a major R&B and soul artist, charting numerous hits and pioneering a funk-infused sound that would soon redefine popular music.