Universal James

Personnel: James Brown (vocals); Duran Ramos, Q-Unique, Leaders Of The New School (rap vocals); Glenn Nightingale (guitar); Michael "Bami" Rose, Carl Denson (saxophone, flute); Gary Barnacle (saxophone); Patrick Tenyue, Michael Hunter (trumpet); Henry "Buttons" Tenyue, Michael Fahn (trombone); Will Mowat (keyboards); Greg Harewood, Carl James (bass); Luis Jardim, Tyrell Santiel (percussion); Alan Friedman (programming); Bazil Meade, Lamya Al-Mugheiry, Cynthia Moore, Alisa Anderson, Lisa Rushton, Martha High-Harvin, Reginald D. Simmons, Jimmy Lee Moore, Arthur Dickson, Jerry Poindexter, George Neely, Ron Laster, St. Clair Pinkney (background vocals).
Producers: David Cole, Jazzie B., James Brown, "Sweet" Charles Sherrell, Robert Clivilles.
Engineers: Richard Joseph, Eugene "Eugenius" Ellis, Mr. Howard Lovett, Acar S. Key.
Recorded at Soul II Soul Studios, London, England and Studio South, Augusta, Georgia.
While it is admittedly difficult to adjust to the sound of James Brown singing amid synthesizers, drum programming, and guest rappers, the Godfather's adoption of a more contemporary sound should come as no surprise. Having moved from soulful R&B in the early '60s to a phenomenal string of infectious, danceable mega-hits several years later and into the stripped down bass-heavy funk of the '70s, Brown has always kept apace with the times--and usually set the trends.
While he's no longer blazing new musical trails, Brown is still Soul Brother #1. His trademark banshee howl and percolating funk rhythms still tear up the dance floor. "Can't Get Any Harder" and "Watch Me" comfortably employ the language of a younger generation--MCs and smoochy female harmonies--while such songs as "Mine All Mine" and "Everybody's Got A Thang" revisit the old-school Brown formula, complete with JB's-like horn accompaniment. UNIVERSAL JAMES finds the man still doing his thing with untouchable style, flair, and no shortage of kick-ass energy.