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Motherlode
Compilation album by James Brown
Released	1988
Recorded	1967–73
Genre	Funk
Length	55:26
Label	Polydor
Producer	James Brown, Tim Rogers, Cliff White
James Brown chronology
James Brown's Funky People (Part 2) (1988) Motherlode (1988) Roots of a Revolution (1989)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Robert Christgau	A−
eMusic
Q
The Rolling Stone Album Guide

Motherlode is a 1988 James Brown compilation album. Created as a follow-up to the successful 1986 compilation In the Jungle Groove, it similarly focuses on Brown's funk recordings of the late 1960s and early 1970s. It includes live performances and remixes as well as studio recordings, most of them previously unissued. Writing in 2007, critic Robert Christgau called it "the finest of the classic comps". Highlights include a live "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud", the first album release of "I Got Ants in My Pants (and I Want to Dance)", the latter-day UK chart hit "She's the One", and a nine-minute-long remix of "People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul" from the Slaughter's Big Rip-Off soundtrack.

In 2003 Motherlode was reissued with remastered sound, an unedited version of the track "Can I Get Some Help", and two bonus tracks, the 1969 song "You've Changed" and an alternate mix of 1976's "Bodyheat".

Track listing

Original 1988 release

Side A

1. "There It Is" (Live) – 3:06
2. "She's the One" – 2:52
3. "Since You Been Gone" (Duet with Bobby Byrd) – 5:33
4. "Untitled Instrumental" – 3:22
5. "Say It Loud (Say It Live)" – 4:52
6. "Can I Get Some Help" – 4:56

Side B

1. "You Got to Have a Mother for Me" – 5:10
2. "Funk Bomb" (Instrumental) – 4:12
3. "Baby Here I Come" – 4:27
4. "People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul" (Remix) – 9:04

Original 1988 CD bonus track

11. "I Got Ants in My Pants (and I Want to Dance)" (Remix) – 7:27

Expanded 2003 release

Personnel

• Vocals – James Brown (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9 to 13)
• Alto saxophone, tenor saxophone – Maceo Parker (tracks: 2, 5 to 10)
• Bass – "Sweet" Charles Sherrell (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 9), William "Bootsy" Collins (tracks: 3 and 4), Fred Thomas (tracks: 1, 10, 11)
• Drums – Clyde Stubblefield (tracks: 3 to 5, 8, 12), John "Jabo" Starks (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 9, 11), Melvin Parker (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 13), Nate Jones (track: 7), John Morgan (track: 10)
• Guitar – Alfonzo Kellum (tracks: 2, 5 to 9), Hearlon "Cheese" Martin (tracks: 1, 4, 11), Jimmy Nolen (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 10, 12 to 13), Phelps "Catfish" Collins (tracks: 3 and 4)
• Percussion – Johnny Griggs (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 10)
• Tenor saxophone – Eldee Williams (tracks: 2, 5, 9)
• Tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone – St. Clair Pinckney (tracks: 1, 4 to 11)
• Trombone – Fred Wesley (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7, 9 to 11)
• Trumpet – Jerone Jasaan Sanford (tracks: 1, 4, 11), Joseph Davis (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 9), Richard Griffith (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 9)

References

1. Elias, Jason. "Motherlode – James Brown". Allmusic. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
2. Christgau, Robert (March 14, 1989). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
3. Wolk, Douglas (November 16, 2010). "James Brown, Motherlode". eMusic. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
4. "Review: Motherlode". Q. London: 146. August 2001. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
5. Considine, J. D.; et al. (November 2, 2004). Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 109, 112. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8. Retrieved April 29, 2013. motherlode.
6. "Robert Christgau: The Genius: James Brown".

External links

• Motherlode at Discogs (list of releases)

• James Brown albums
• Polydor Records albums
• 1988 compilation albums