Doing Their Own Thing

Well, this was a surprise! Where was this jewel of an album hidden all these years? Rumor has it (according to a label manager that's quoted in the liner notes) that James Brown himself paid radio stations NOT to play songs from this album when it was released in 1970. Whether that's the case or not, this sure is funky stuff! But it's not all straight JB funk, but a mix of soul, funk, and jazz, not unlike the music that Tower of Power was also playing in the 1970s. With Maceo involved, you of course get that wicked sax playing, plus a barrage of trumpets and sax from other members of "the King's Men." A vibrant instrumental brew, no doubt, but even the vocal cuts on here I thought were very good. Hey, all singers can't sound as smooth as Al Green or Marvin Gaye, but I think Maceo and the other guy that sings one track do a credible job. It's all about the soul, and these guys have buckets full of it. This is a dynamite album that 70s funk and soul fans should definitely check out.

Classic funk and classic low fidelity recording.

Anyone who likes the funk will dig this album. I don't think I've ever heard Maceo play any better. The first track 'Maceo' is so deadly; there's no way to sit still when you listen to it. This is one of those albums that you listen to from start to finish. Easily Maceo's finest album.

Great music Beautiful songs, but there was only 2 possibly 3 hit songs on the whole album that I liked.

In 1970, when JB's band WALKED (later to come back), Maceo formed his own group carrying on the JB group, but with himself at the helm... In my opinion the group and production is sometimes a bit tighter than the PEOPLE recordings with JB at the helm (even more imaginative at times) though the absence of JB's groans and grunts and direction are definitely missing... that said the rhythm section no doubt is as tight as tight gets, I think a noticable difference is that the horns are a lot more together, while the rhythm section maybe a bit (just a bit) looser (more relaxed?) than on the JB recordings... still tight and sticky in the Tower of Power sense of the word... however, a bit Jazzy too. All in all this great in and out of print recording is well worth having... Today Maceo stands on his own as a leader, but back then he was definitely JB's ever faithful sideman... and this album is one of the first times the serious question was ever asked... could Maceo make it on his own without JB? (In answer to the question, All The King's Men would eventually fall apart and he'd go back... Maceo would eventually join the P-Funk organization, but it wouldn't be until about 20 years that he was able to stand stage center and do his thing... the irony being that the entire roots of his sound of today can be heard on this album just as good and fresh.) If you like this album be sure to read Fred Wesley's bio - - some great behind the scenes stories about the whole sound, era and experience ! p.s. In an effort at variety, Maceo tries to sing a ballad on this album... let's just say, leave the ballads to Bootsy, Maceo... and stick to blowing the funk... he got you on that one!

Nice.

I love funk music, especially anything having to do with James Brown. This album is the funkiest album of all time! It is so greasy that you could fry bacon off it. I heard that JB himself was so jealous that he payed DJs not to play it! Bernard Odum and Melvin Parker are one of the baddest rhythm sections ever. This record is a must own.

If you love James Brown's singles but are annoyed that they trail off just when Maceo is starting to work his sax solo, get this album. If you like Soul Pride (the collection of James Brown instrumentals) and/or The JB's Anthology, get this album. If you like Maceo's solo albums (especially Life On Planet Groove, which contains two songs from this album), you won't be disappointed here. It is a great, mostly instrumental album. As Maceo says, it's 2% Jazz, 98% FUNKY STUFF...But beware, it may take a while to actually get the album in the mail--but it is worth the wait.

This is the best funk album I have heard in a long long time How have I ever missed this for all these years Maceo is a true talent

Cosa dire oggi di album così non se ne fanno più e ne se ne sentono più Maceo è un musicista e sassofonista eccellente che già al suo debutto realizza questo favoloso album fatto di funk funk funk funk e ancora funk con un groove pazzesco c'è ne fossero di album così oggi Amazon ok

このアルバムと「Funky Music Machine」の2枚アルバムが発売されているが、唄なし曲が好きなら、こちらが御薦め（唄は3曲）。黒くてファンクなメイシオと兄のメルビンが揃ってます。小難しいjazzでもなくクラシックでもなく、オリジナルの楽しいサックスプレイが楽しめます。ただし、最後の曲が突然終わります。不思議な終わりです。 とにかく楽しいインスツルメンタル楽しみたきゃメイシオ！このアルバムが最高！！！ ジャケットも紙仕様で、黒さの伝わるデザインです。真っ黒。

If you like funky you've come to the right place. All of the James Brown style but with Maceo centre stage. Brilliantly put together and with humour. A hidden gem.

Maceo's vocals aren't as awesome as James Brown's but don't let that stop you from buying this funky, funky disc. I bought it for the guitar player Jimmy Nolen who practically is the founder of Mr. Brown's funk. Be sure to check out his previous work before he joined the JB's. He was one of the best T-bone Walker style guitarists on the west coast and played with among others Johnny Otis Band and many blues greats including George "harmonica" Smith. James must have made a big impact on him because his style changed dramatically, but that's a good thing. Jimmy also put out some rare sides as a leader before the JB's, and is a fine singer in his own right. Maceo is probably correct in asserting that Mr. Brown did everything in his power to squash this recording when it first came out. Thank god it's still available!!