James Brown – Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud (King Records 5-1047)

KING RECORDS 1969              S-1047

notes:

Released in 1969 on King Records, Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud stands
 among the most important recordings in the career of James Brown. Arriving
 during a period of profound social and cultural change in America, the album 
combined powerful messages of Black empowerment with Brown's 
revolutionary approach to rhythm, groove, and performance. Featuring
the iconic title track alongside energetic soul and funk recordings, this LP
 remains an essential document of both musical innovation and social history.
At the end of the 1960s, James Brown was already recognized as one of the most 
influential figures in American popular music. With Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud, 
he delivered more than just another successful album; he created a cultural milestone.
 The title song became an anthem of self-determination and pride, resonating deeply 
with audiences during the Civil Rights era. Musically, the album showcases Brown's 
evolving funk style, driven by tight horn arrangements, dynamic rhythms, and the 
disciplined precision of his backing musicians. Decades after its release, the record 
continues to inspire artists across soul, funk, hip-hop, and contemporary R&B.

credits:

Complete Album Personnel

Main Artists

James Brown – vocals, organ
Bobby Byrd – co-vocals on “Licking Stick”
Horn Section
Waymon Reed
Richard "Kush" Griffin
Dud Bascomb
Johnny Grimes
Joe DuPars – trumpets
Fred Wesley
Richard Harris – trombones
Levi Rasbury – valve trombone
Pee Wee Ellis – alto saxophone, organ
Maceo Parker – tenor saxophone
St. Clair Pinckney, Haywood Henry – baritone saxophones

Rhythm Section

Jimmy Nolen
Wallace Richardson
Carl Lynch – guitars
Al Lucas
Alfonzo Kellum
Bernard Odum
Sweet Charles Sherrell – bass
Clyde Stubblefield
Bernard Purdie
Jabo Starks – drums
Rafael Rivera – timbales
Julian Cabeza – congas
Edward Williams – percussion
Strings (selected tracks)
Charles Libove
Harry Katzman
Sam Ram
Matt Raimondi
Selwart Clarke
Winston Collymore
and others


Producer: James Brown
Arrangements/Direction (selected tracks): Sammy Lowe
Engineer: Dave Harrison

The album compiles sessions recorded between August 
1967 and October 1968 at several studios used by Brown while touring.

Principal Recording Studios
King Studios – Cincinnati, Ohio
Mastersound Studios – Atlanta, Georgia
Fine Studios – New York City
Bell Sound Studios – New York City
Vox Studios – Los Angeles, California

Collector's Note

The original U.S. pressing was issued by King Records as 5-1047 in
 March 1969. The title track became one of Brown's most influential 
recordings, reaching No. 1 on the R&B chart and becoming an 
anthem of the Black Power era.

Tracklist :

A1 Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud (Pt. 1)

Bass – 'Sweet' Charles Sherrell Drums – Clyde Stubblefield 

Guitar – Jimmy Nolen
Saxophone – Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, St-Clair Pinckney
Trombone – Fred WesleyTrumpet – Richard Griffith, Waymon Reed

    
A2 Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud (Pt. 2)

Bass – 'Sweet' Charles Sherrell Drums – Clyde Stubblefield  

Guitar – Jimmy Nolen 
Saxophone – Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, St-Clair Pinckney
Trombone – Fred WesleyTrumpet – Richard Griffith, Waymon Reed

    
A3 I Guess I'll Have To Cry, Cry, Cry

Arranged By, Conductor – Sammy Lowe Bass – Al Lucas

Drums – Bernard Purdie 
Guitar – Carl Lynch, Wally Richardson Piano – Ernie Hayes 
Saxophone – Heywood Henry 
Strings – Charles Libeve, Harry Katzman, Harry Malnikoff, Marion Cuabo, 
Matt Raimondi, Nick Hardone, Sam Ram, Selwart Clarke, 

Sid Ewards, Winston Collymore
Trombone – Richard Harris  Trumpet – Dud Nascomb, Johnny Grimes

    
A4 Goodbye My Love (Pt. 1) & (Pt. 2)

Bass – Bernard Odum Drums – John Jabo Starks 

Guitar – Alfonzo Kellum, Jimmy Nolen 
Organ – Pee Wee Ellis 

Saxophone – Eldee Williams, Maceo Parker, St-Clair Pinckney 
Trombone – Levi RasburyTrumpet – Joe Dupars, Waymon Reed


    
A6 Shades Of Brown

Bass – Ken Tibbetts Drums – William Beau Dollar Bowman 

Guitar – Eddie Setser 
Organ – James Brown  Producer – Bud Hobgood 
Saxophone – David Parkinson , Les Asch, Pee Wee Ellis

    
B1 Licking Stick

Bass – Tim Drummond Drums – John Jabo Starks 

Guitar – Jimmy NolenOrgan, Vocals – Bobby Byrd 

Saxophone – Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, St-Clair Pinckney

    
B2 I Love You

Bass – Alfonzo Kellum, Tim Drummond 

 Drums – Clyde Stubblefield Guitar – Jimmy Nolen 
Saxophone – Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, St-Clair Pinckney
Trumpet – Richard Griffith, Waymon Reed

    
B3 Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye

Bass – Ken Tibbetts Drums – William Beau Dollar Bowman 

Guitar – Eddie Setser Piano – Tim Hedding 

Saxophone – David Parkinson , Les Asch

Trumpet – Ron Geisman

    
B4 Let Them Talk

Arranged By, Conductor – Sammy Lowe 
Bass – Al Lucas Drums – Bernard Purdie Organ – Pee Wee Ellis
Saxophone – David Parkinson , Les Asch 

Trumpet – Johnny Grimes, Waymon Reed

    
B5 Maybe I'll Understand

Drums – William Beau Dollar Bowman Guitar – Eddie Setser

 Piano – Tim Hedding 
Producer – Bud Hobgood

    
B6 I'll Lose My Mind

Bass – Tim Drummond Drums – William Beau Dollar Bowman 

Guitar – Eddie Setser, Troy Seals 
Organ – James Brown Piano – Tim Hedding 

Saxophone – David Parkinson , Les Asch

 

 

 

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