Black Caesar is a soundtrack album recorded by James Brown for the film of the same name and released in February 1973. The album also features The J.B.'s and Lyn Collins.
While critical reception was mixed due to being seen as disconnected to the film's plot, it has since been recognized as one of James Brown's better late works.
Critical reception
In a 1980 consumer guide to James Brown's albums following the dissolution of King Records, Robert Christgau of The Village Voice gave Black Caesar a "D+" and stated, "You listen to Brown for music, not songs, but that's no reason to expect good soundtrack albums from him. He should never be allowed near a vibraphone again."
However, other critics wrote more positively about the album. In a later retrospective review, Mark Deming of AllMusic gives the album three-and-a-half out of five stars and feels that, "like most soundtrack albums of the period, Black Caesar sounds rather scattershot, especially when the music is divorced from the film's narrative," but observed "several top-notch tracks", including "The Boss", "Make It Good to Yourself", and "Mama's Dead". Deming adds that "Fred Wesley's superb horn charts, Jimmy Nolen's percussive guitar, and Jabo Starks' dead-on-the-one drumming make even the weaker instrumental cuts worth a quick listen". Dave Thompson calls it a "kick-ass soundtrack" and "nothing short of a full frontal funk assault."
Track listing
Personnel James Brown – vocals, organ, piano
The J.B.'s arranged by James Brown (Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 11) Lyn Collins – co-vocals ("Mama Feelgood") Russell Crimes, Isiah "Ike" Oakley, Darryl “Hasaan” Jamison, Jerone “Jasaan” Sanford – trumpet Fred Wesley – trombone Jimmy Parker – alto saxophone St. Clair Pinckney, Eldee Williams – tenor saxophone probably David Matthews – electric piano Jimmy Nolen, Hearlon "Cheese" Martin, Bobby Roach – electric guitar Fred Thomas – bass guitar Johnny Griggs, John Morgan – percussion John "Jabo" Starks, John Morgan – drums
Studio band arranged by Fred Wesley (Tracks 1, 3 & 8) Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker – trumpet Fred Wesley – trombone Joe Farrell – tenor saxophone Pat Rebillot – electric piano Hugh McCracken, Charlie Brown, David Spinozza – electric guitar Sam Brown – acoustic guitar Buster Williams – bass guitar Steve Gadd – drums
Charts Chart (1973)PeakpositionU.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tape31U.S. Best Selling Soul LPs2
References