Saxophonist
Pee Wee Ellis may not be a household name, but his name is spoken with reverence by other funk musicians and fans of vintage soul. A former music director for
James Brown (and co-composer of such soul classics as "Cold Sweat" and "Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud"), he collaborated with
Brown and fellow
J.B.'s Fred Wesley,
Bootsy Collins,
Maceo Parker, and others to establish the parameters of modern funk. This live album finds him reunited with several of his old compadres as well as singer
Fred Ross for an unabashed revival of that sound, including a number of
James Brown tunes ("Pass the Peas," "I Got the Feeling," "Cold Sweat," "I Got You [I Feel Good]"). There are a couple of missteps: the cover of
Bill Withers' emotionally damp "Grandma's Hands" was utterly unnecessary, and it's not at all clear why
Ellis chose to take "I Got You (I Feel Good)" at half the normal tempo. But overall, this album is lots of good, sweaty, greasy, funky fun. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson