Any soul and funk fan will feel the power of Myra Barnes on ‘The Message From The Soul Sisters’. It’s a popular track sometimes listed as Vicki Anderson, of the late James Brown (RIP) fame. Brown was featured on R.E.-Edits Vol 2 where the hardest working man in show business was doubled up with David Bowie (now a track very much sort after).

The RH Factor is Roy Hargrove’s band. He resurfaced last year with two well-received albums released at the same time, a jazz one Nothing Serious and a more ‘modern’ one, Distractions. ‘Pastor “T” is from a few years ago and features the ‘Bag Lady’ herself, Erykah Badu (who has already appeared on R.E.-Edits Vol. 3). I love this track as it always reminds me of the time Hargrove joined Dwele on (R.E. Edit Vol. 1) on Gilles Peterson’s session for ‘Red Clay Revisited’ (that was the highlight on the album Gilles Peterson Presents — The BBC Sessions

All three tracks are great but the standout one for me (at the moment) is the re-working of Common’s ‘The Corner’ in a freestyle “Freedom to peace” jazz version.

Back to the a-side, and you just can’t stop think about James Brown. The TV adverts have hit the small screen for the obligatory re-package Best Of CD and there are lots of James Brown tributes in the written press since his untimely passing. NME has a feature on the funeral this week and next week there’s a full tribute. While the sideshow of Michael Jackson gets the headlines, at the end of the day, it’s all about the music and you’d like to think Brown would be more interested in ‘The Message From The Soul Sisters’.

News Flash from Gilles Peterson’s blog: “just spoke to Ade at Plastic People regarding a James Brown all-nighter happening Wednesday, Jan 17 — free entry strictly Brown and his family all night long! Roadblock!” (see links below for details)

Reviewed: Myra Barnes / Common / RH Factor feat. Erykah Badu — R.E.-Edits Volume Five Cat. No. REEDIT05

Tracklisting
A. Myra Barnes — The Message From The Soul Sisters (R.E.-Edit)
B1. RH Factor — Pastor “T” (R.E.-Edit) featuring Erykah Badu
B2. Common — The Corner (R.E.-Edit)

Links:
www.groovedis.com Chicago, Illinois
Wed 17 Jan : A Tribute To Mr James Brown with Gilles Peterson, Keb Darge, Charlie Dark + other DJs. Admission is free. See www.plasticpeople.co.uk
Love Unlimited / Dwele ( R.E.-Edits Volume 1), James Brown / David Bowie (R.E.-Edits Volume 2) and American Gypsy / Erykah Badu (R.E.-Edits Volume 3).
Love Unlimited / Angie Stone — (R.E.-Edits Volume 4)
Gilles Peterson :: Tracklisting 31/12/03 -Top 20 WW Cuts of the Year
Dwele — ‘Red Clay Revisited’ (featuring Roy Hargrove) (Live from Maida Vale)
www.nme.com