Motherlode [Bonus Tracks]

1	There It Is Live / previously unreleased 3:07
2	She's the One previously unreleased 2:54
3	Since You Been Gone / Bobby Byrd previously unreleased 5:36
4	Untitled Instrumental / The J.B.'s previously unreleased 3:25
5	Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud) previously unreleased / Say It Live 4:55
6	Can I Get Some Help previously unreleased / Unedited 8:56
7	You Got to Have a Mother for Me previously unreleased 5:19
8	Funk Bomb / Pee Wee Ellis previously unreleased / Instrumental 4:15
9	Baby Here I Come previously unreleased 4:30
10	People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul previously unreleased / Remix 9:07
11	I Got Ants in My Pants (And I Want to Dance) previously unreleased / Remix 7:28
12	You've Changed previously unreleased / Bonus Track 3:21
13	Body Heat previously unreleased / Bonus Track / Alternate Mix 11:53

All Music Guide

During the mid- and late '80s, after James Brown and Polydor parted ways, the label began to reissue his work, some of which had been out of print for close to a decade. Motherlode is one of the finest compilations. Coming a few years after In the Jungle Groove, a compilation effort that culled some of Brown's harder-edged 1969-1971 tracks, this covers 1969-1973 and has the smoothness of a regular release effort. By this point, Motherlode producers Cliff White and Tim Rogers began to know more about Brown's "classic" work than he did, and could do compilations where the tracks were all potent. This set starts off with an explosive live take of "There It Is," recorded at the Apollo in 1972. "She's the One" from 1969, featuring his late-'60s orchestra, has great guitar work from both Jimmy "Chank" Nolan and Alphonso "Country" Kellum. Since most of the tracks here weren't hits, or weren't even previously released, they provided a fresh interpretation of Brown's production style and the skills of his players. "Untitled Instrumental" features Brown's rock and psychedelic-influenced unit, with included guitarist Phelps Collins and his brother, Bootsy Collins, with his singular bass skills. The heart of this CD, however, is "People Drive Your Funky Soul." Originally on Slaughter's Big Rip-Off in a too-brief version less than four minutes long, Motherlode brings the entire take to the public for the first time. The track, which manages to subtly cross reggae with bebop, again features Brown with his 1971-1975 band, and it exhibits their chemistry and the band's unbelievable versatility. Although Motherlode has been lost in the shuffle due to a plethora of other compilations, this is still illuminating and enjoyable. [In 2003 a remastered edition was released with two previously unreleased bonus tracks, 1969's "You've Changed" and a 1976 alternate mix of "Bodyheat" that clocks in at nearly 12 minutes.] ~ Jason Elias, All Music Guide

Blender

Motherlode unearths a cache of alternate versions and unreleased gems... that provide a fascinating look into Brown's composing process. Chairman Mao