The epic James Brown release. Recorded in 1973, this double LP may have been the 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 JBs 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. Two LP gatefold also features: Stone to the Bone, Forever Suffering, Shoot Your Shot, and Doing the Best I Can.

• originally recorded in 1973
• double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Polydor 

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2009