The second volume of material compiled from
James Brown
's
People Records
label isn't quite as strong as the first, as it reaches for more obscurities -- but those obscurities can be interesting, especially
Brown
's collaboration with
Hank Ballard
on
"From the Love Side."
Again,
wrote (or co-wrote), arranged, and produced much of the material, appearing on vocals several times, and
the J.B.'s
are featured heavily, whether as a unit or with individual members stepping out as solo acts. The highlights are
Bobby Byrd
's two 1971
R&B
hits,
"I Know You Got Soul"
and
"Hot Pants -- I'm Coming, Coming, I'm Coming"
; also featured are
Marva Whitney
,
Lyn Collins
, and
Fred Wesley
, among others. ~ Steve Huey