Rick James

"Street Songs" is the 5th album by American musician Rick James, released in April 1981 via Gordy Records. "Give It to Me Baby", the lead song and single from the album, became James' second #1 single on the R&B chart. It spent five weeks at the top spot. The fifth song on the album, "Super Freak", was also one of James' biggest hits. The album became an immediate success upon its release, eventually reaching #3 on the US Pop chart and spending twenty weeks at #1 on the US R&B chart. The album was certified Platinum in the US in July 1981. By 1983, the album had sold nearly 4 million copies worldwide. At the 1982 Grammys, James was nominated for Best Male Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance for the album while being the first African American male artist to be nominated in the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance category for the song "Super Freak".

It isn't hard to understand why Cold Blooded received so many lukewarm reviews when it came out in 1983; by that time, Rick James was being increasingly formulaic and predictable. Instead of taking a hint from Prince who maintained a risk-taking, adventurous spirit throughout the '80s, even if it meant stumbling on rare occasions James was content to recycle 1981's Street Songs over and over. That said, Cold Blooded definitely has its moments. Parts of this LP are forgettable, including the hit title song (which, like 1984's "17," was criticized for sounding so contrived).

When the name Rick James begins to circulate under the mantle, the funk is already not very funky. The 70s live their last minutes and disco penetrates every nook and cranny of this music supposed to celebrate rhythm, groove and freedom. In activity for more than a decade, P-Funk staggers between genres and no worthy succession of the name points the end of its afro cut on the horizon. Who will pick up the torch of enraged funk, painting the turpitudes of the ghetto ? Who will dare to spill the crates of glitter that have clogged the ears of the greatest specialists in the funk idiom ? Rick James ! His career is atypical because bathed in all possible musical forms. The career of this self-taught R&B (Wilson Pickett), pop (Beatles), rock'n'roll (Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix), soul (Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield), jazz (Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, Miles Davis) and folk (Bob Dylan) began in 1965 in Canada where he settled to escape enlistment in the American troops sent to Vietnam. There, in Toronto, he formed his own band, the Mynah Birds, with Bruce Palmer on bass and Neil Young on guitar. Named the Black Jagger by his colleagues, Rick recorded several singles that never saw the light of day. The sequel was more successful for Palmer and Young, who went to ride the Buffalo Springfield.

"Bustin' Out of L Seven" is Rick James' 2nd studio album on Motown sub-label Gordy Records. Included on the album is the Top 10 R&B hit, "Bustin' Out (On Funk)". L7 is slang for "square", as in the opening lyrics of "Bustin' Out (On Funk)", "Well, alright, you squares, it's time you smoked, Fire up this funk and let's have a toke". The letter L and the number 7 form a square.

In the late '70s and early '80s, Rick James did more than anyone to challenge George Clinton's place on the funk throne. Eventually, his music would turn into a very tired cliché, but at his creative peak, James was among the most exciting and vital artists funk had to offer. Summarizing his Motown output from 1978-1986 and offering four new tracks from 1994 as well, this two-CD anthology reminds you just how great he once was, but it provides evidence of his artistic decline as well. Though some of the songs are mediocre, most are outstanding. Even the most casual funk fans owe it to themselves to savor such rowdy classics as "Super Freak," "You and I," "Love Gun," "Give It to Me Baby," and "Ghetto Life." James was equally superb when it came to soul ballads – and anyone who thinks otherwise should give a serious listen to "Fire and Desire" (a stunning duet with Teena Marie), "Dream Maker," and "Ebony Eyes" (which features Smokey Robinson). Sadly, "Cold Blooded" and "17" illustrate how formulaic James' funk often sounded by the mid-'80s. Meanwhile, some of the new material (including an enjoyable remake of Norman Connors' "You Are My Starship") indicated that he had the potential to make a comeback with the right guidance. Boasting many more pluses than minuses, this set is the best place for novices to start.

In the late '70s and early '80s, Rick James did more than anyone to challenge George Clinton's place on the funk throne. Eventually, his music would turn into a very tired cliché, but at his creative peak, James was among the most exciting and vital artists funk had to offer. Summarizing his Motown output from 1978-1986 and offering four new tracks from 1994 as well, this two-CD anthology reminds you just how great he once was, but it provides evidence of his artistic decline as well. Though some of the songs are mediocre, most are outstanding. Even the most casual funk fans owe it to themselves to savor such rowdy classics as "Super Freak," "You and I," "Love Gun," "Give It to Me Baby," and "Ghetto Life." James was equally superb when it came to soul ballads – and anyone who thinks otherwise should give a serious listen to "Fire and Desire" (a stunning duet with Teena Marie), "Dream Maker," and "Ebony Eyes" (which features Smokey Robinson). Sadly, "Cold Blooded" and "17" illustrate how formulaic James' funk often sounded by the mid-'80s. Meanwhile, some of the new material (including an enjoyable remake of Norman Connors' "You Are My Starship") indicated that he had the potential to make a comeback with the right guidance. Boasting many more pluses than minuses, this set is the best place for novices to start.

"Bustin' Out of L Seven" is Rick James' second album on Motown sub-label Gordy Records. This album was re-issued on CD in Germany and has become very rare and highly sought after by Rick James fans. Hard to find for many years, this 1979 platinum release includes the top 10 R&B hit "Bustin' Out (On Funk)" and the top 40 R&B track "Fool On The Street".

Rick James' multi-platinum masterpiece propelled the musical icon to the forefront of the funk revolution. The commercially successful album found James at an artistic peak. With aggressive, yet smooth grooves the work encompasses all of James’ signature punk-funk flair. Included are two of his biggest and most celebrated hits, “Give It To Me Baby” and “Super Freak.” The album spent 20 consecutive weeks at the Top of the Billboard’s R&B charts and is the definitive recording by the charismatic performer.

"Bustin' Out of L Seven" is Rick James' second album on Motown sub-label Gordy Records. This album was re-issued on CD in Germany and has become very rare and highly sought after by Rick James fans. Hard to find for many years, this 1979 platinum release includes the top 10 R&B hit "Bustin' Out (On Funk)" and the top 40 R&B track "Fool On The Street".

Rick James' multi-platinum masterpiece propelled the musical icon to the forefront of the funk revolution. The commercially successful album found James at an artistic peak. With aggressive, yet smooth grooves the work encompasses all of James’ signature punk-funk flair. Included are two of his biggest and most celebrated hits, “Give It To Me Baby” and “Super Freak.” The album spent 20 consecutive weeks at the Top of the Billboard’s R&B charts and is the definitive recording by the charismatic performer.