Polygram tells the JB story better than anyone yet with their series of two-CD James Brown reissues, which began with Soul Pride: The Instrumentals (1960-69), continued into the mid-1960s and onward with Foundations of Funk and this set, and then ventured into the 1980s with Dead On: The Heavy Funk. This triumphant, perfectly programmed two-disc package dredges 26 neglected gems and beloved jewels from the prolific predisco years, a time when Brown's powers were in sharp form. Waist-deep in fat freaky funk, pugilistic horn arrangements, looping modal grooves, and tuff blaxploitational kitsch--primo monster funk from the source. Fans of Parliament's nonstop party jam absolutely need this to know from whence their hardcore jollies came. --John Corbett