Sex Machine

Episode Details

Eamon O’Flynn, Nathan Smith and Sonya Walton discuss James Brown’s “Sex Machine” - a legendary semi-live funk masterpiece. This album ranked #439 on the 2020 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

Leave comments on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook at @rrmusicpod or visit our website at recordroulettepodcast.com.

Runtime: 44 minutes

Who was James Brown?

James Brown (also known as “The Godfather of Soul,” “Mr. Dynamite” and “Soul Brother #1”) was an American singer, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. A major figure in 20th century music and one of the creators of funk music, Brown’s career lasted more than 50 years. He was an inaugural inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has since been inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame, Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Brown was ranked seventh on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and he has three entries on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums list, including Star Time (#54), Live at the Apollo (#65) and Sex Machine (#439). 

What is Sex Machine?

Sex Machine is the sixth live album from American funk legend James Brown. Released in 1970, it showcases the original J.B.’s lineup - including Bootsy and Catfish Collins - as well as a separate lineup from a live performance in Augusta, Georgia. Although it purports to be a live album, the first LP consists of material recorded in the studio with reverberation and overdubbed applause added afterward. Sex Machine is often considered one of the greatest and most important funk records of all time, and one of the great live albums of all time. Recorded at the height of Brown’s career, the album was a success, hitting #29 on the Pop Chart and #4 on the R&B Chart. Sex Machine is on the 2020 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums list at #439.