James Brown - Sex Machine Today (1975) LP/APE In 24bit/192kHz

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James Brown - Sex Machine Today (1975) LP/APE In 24bit/192kHz

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SEX MACHINE TODAY (subtitled: Disco Soul/Dance Dance Dance) (originally Polydor PD-6042) was the middle release of three 1975 James Brown albums, preceded by REALITY and followed by EVERYBODY'S DOIN' THE HUSTLE & DEAD ON THE DOUBLE BUMP. The album contains three consecutively linked tracks on both sides, all introduced by James' exclamation of "Sex Machine!" before each cut. The album is also known for it's lascivious cover art, the words SEX MACHINE are spelled out in letters composed of nude women! This another James Brown album that divides fans, probably because most can't get all the way through the tepid and draggy remake of the title cut that begins Side One. It's even hard to imagine that you're listening to the actual J.B.'s! Those who make it past the lethargic first twelve minutes will be rewarded for their patience. A peppy arrangement of "I Feel Good" is over way too fast, followed by the clavinet driven "Problems" a nifty little funk-er with a catchy "if it ain't one thing, it's another" hook, that also ends way too soon. Side Two starts "Dead On It," one of those seemingly off-the-cuff James Brown joints that are deceptively simple but build and build, with great guitar and Maceo solos. It was confusingly released, withdrawn, released again and then retitled "Hustle!!! (Dead On It)." Any info on the difference between the two would be greatly appreciated. "Get Up Off Me" is a slinky version of one of James' "give me a chance and I'll make it on my own" pleas, with an insistent "Money, money, money" hook. After James' last "sex machine!" extortion comes the flute and string backed "Deep In It" accented with occasional wah-wah guitars. The song also sports an eerie bridge backed by a plucking harp. A surprisingly complex composition, a super funky bass line makes itself known a few minutes before then end, quite unlike anything in Brown's catalog. It's too bad that James didn't come up with more material in the same vein. The album was released on CD in 2005 by Universal's Hip-O Select imprint sporting a cardboard mini-LP sleeve and nice red Polydor label CD art with the "A James Brown Production" head-shot logo. Well worth digging up, just don't judge it by that first track……