In the brand new 12 months of 1967, James Brown was inviting his followers to a spot the place his music had lengthy resided: hipsters’ avenue. That was the subtitle (of the album model) of his new King Records single “Bring It Up,” which made the Billboard Hot 100 on January 7, 1967 and the R&B chart two weeks later.
The Godfather of Soul had excessive requirements to dwell up following some memorable achievements in 1966, not least the staging-post brilliance of “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” In autumn of that 12 months, Mr. Brown had launched “Don’t Be A Dropout,” one of many songs that mirrored his rise from poverty to a place of affect and inspiration amongst America’s younger.
“Bring It Up” was, to make use of his personal phrase, a brand new bag: an uncommon mix of the fast-advancing funky groove that turned Mr. Brown’s personal, together with a giant band, extremely percussive instrumental really feel from the highly effective horns on the observe, all accompanied by his impassioned screech. The album on which it served because the lead quantity, and which adopted in March 1967, was aptly titled James Brown Sings Raw Soul.
A discotheque winner
Billboard’s late 1966 overview of the only described it as “a wailing screamer that moves from start to finish and builds into a frenzy. Discotheque winner and top Brown vocal workout should put him back at the top once again.”
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The 45’s head-start on the Hot 100, the place it entered at No.78, would ultimately lead it to a pop peak of No.29. On Top Selling R&B Singles, it debuted at No.34, and have become a considerable No.7 success. Later within the 12 months, Brown would get away in a “Cold Sweat,” as his place because the Hardest-Working Man In Show Business remained unchallenged.
Buy or stream “Bring It Up” on the album James Brown Sings Raw Soul.