The epic James Brown release. Recorded in 1973, this double LP may have been the stylistic height of JB's career. Although the later Black Caesar and Hell albums are both classics, they feel as if they fed off the power of The Payback. JB single handedly redefined the funk genre with the dramatic "Payback" and its gigantic but minimal instrumentation. In the same vein, "Mind Power" is one of my all time favorite JB tracks utilizing the minimal instrumentation as the stage for JB's spoken slang. Keep listening as JB gives way to the flute, horn, guitar, and drum solos. The simple, but genius laid out masterplan, as JB does to the live band what most producers can't comprehend behind the boards. "Time is Running Out Fast" features one of his experimentations with afrobeat, borrowing the heavy percussion that seamlessly meshes into the thick JBs' sound. Check the grunts on this track, that's some shit. "Take Some Leave Some" provides the hip intro busting into the JB's power ballad stance. Gatefold 2LP also features: "Stone to the Bone," "Forever Suffering," "Shoot Your Shot," and "Doing the Best I Can."

• black double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• original release year: 1973
• music label: Polydor 2014

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2009