James Brown”Revolution of the Mind” (1971) PolydorNow...

James Brown

“Revolution of the Mind” (1971)

Polydor

Now here’s an album guaranteed to shake you up in a big way. Recorded live at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, these performances--culled from eight concerts over the last week in July of ‘71--capture the sound of no limitations. Brown and his band were watching their various singles chase each other up the charts during this period, and they really let it rip here: You don’t get to see their sweat, but you know it’s there.

The songs are truly remarkable. From “It’s a New Day So Let a Man Come In and Do the Popcorn” to Brown’s then-theme song “Call Me Super Bad” to the ultra-sexy “Escape-ism” to the ultimate wish ditty, “Sex Machine,” it’s hardly subtle stuff. But even though the lyrics are mostly about skank funk and hot pants, the album isn’t called “Revolution of the Mind” for nothing. Soul Brother No. 1 already was well into his never-ending educational mission for all humanity, and when he stands on stage and wails over and over:

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There you are in your hot pants, baby

But don’t never let nobody tell you how to wear your pants

Cause any way you wear them is all right with me.

Baby, be free!

he is speaking as directly as any political manifesto or feminist tome. He is shouting to whoever wants to hear: Power to the people in their bodies and their minds. If you want to dig the message, great. If you don’t, that’s your problem. But dance to the music anyhow.