Various artists: Congo Funk! review – get ready to rumba
This sparkling time capsule of Congolese rumba from 1969 to 1982 features homegrown melody and soul with James Brown’s electrifying funk influence
November 2023
‘Mick Jagger was surprisingly hard-working’: the all-star life of synth whiz Wally Badarou
His reputation for futurist pop got him work with everyone from Grace Jones and Talking Heads to Foreigner – now the French keyboardist is reissuing a soundtrack for a yoga DVD that became a Balearic classic
October 2023
Ranked
The 20 greatest concert films – ranked!
As Taylor Swift’s Eras tour reaches cinemas, with Beyoncé’s Renaissance following soon, we pick the films that best converted the live experience to the screen
August 2023
From ‘Nazi’ Bowie to Nixon-lovin’ Brown: six absurd political gaffes from pop stars
The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers has caused an international row by misreading Russia-Georgia relations, live on stage. But he’s not the first star to stray into controversial territory
December 2022
Ranked
The 20 greatest Christmas albums – ranked!
Whether you fancy a heartwarming carol with Elvis or the story of a yuletide drug dealer from OutKast, there’s a festive album for you in our rundown of the best ever
June 2020
Bootsy Collins: 'We're all funky, just not all of us know it'
The P-Funk bassist was a street kid in the 60s, got his break with James Brown, then spent much of the 70s taking LSD. He talks about drugs, racism, police brutality – and the healing power of music
May 2020
From the Guardian archive
James Brown live at Hammersmith – archive, 1985
27 May 1985 This show was quite simply stupendous, a breathtaking display of stagecraft, musicianship and tireless professionalism, replete with thrills and humour
February 2020
James Brown: prosecutor may investigate claim singer was murdered
Woman contacted Atlanta-area district attorney to say she had evidence musician’s death was caused by someone else
April 2019
Record Store Day: 20 exclusive releases to look out for
Classic vinyl reissues, limited collectors’ editions and unreleased recordings from Fela Kuti, Prince and David Bowie join rare pressings by the Prodigy and the Notorious BIG this Saturday
February 2019
Call to investigate James Brown's death after murder claims
Doctor who signed soul legend’s death certificate airs doubts, while suspicions also raised over death of Brown’s third wife, Adrienne
November 2018
Charles Bradley: 'He made it look easy because he was a natural'
The James Brown tribute act became one of the great classic soul voices. As Daptone release his posthumous album, Ozzy Osbourne, Margo Price and more remember his talent
August 2018
More synthetic bamboo! The greatest preset sounds in pop music
Christine and the Queens has been criticised for using prefabricated loops from software, rather than coming up with new sounds herself. But from Kate Bush to Kendrick Lamar, these presets are actually the foundation of modern pop
July 2018
Behind the scenes with the biggest soul stars of the 70s
Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Stevie Wonder – Bruce W Talamon photographed them all. His images, collected in a new book, capture an era before publicists controlled their stars
October 2017
This much I know
Bootsy Collins: ‘LSD was a big part of why I left James Brown’s band’
The musician, 66, tells Candice Pires about free love, Funkadelic, coming to earthly consciousness and getting away from being Bootsy
September 2017
Charles Bradley obituary
American soul singer and songwriter who found fame late in life
July 2017
Readers recommend
Readers recommend playlist: songs about fads and crazes
Short-lived dances and fashion gimmicks run through your suggestions this week – James Brown, Roxy Music and Sonic Youth all making an appearance
May 2017
Film blog
Black dynamite: the best Blaxploitation soundtracks
As Melvin Van Peebles’ seminal score to Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song is re-released we look at the most important soundtracks from the Blaxploitation era
March 2017
Bill O'Reilly criticized after mocking congresswoman's 'James Brown wig'
Fox News host apologizes after saying he could not hear what Maxine Waters was saying because he was looking at her hair, as channel displays images
February 2017
James Brown's Funky Drummer Clyde Stubblefield dies at 73
Black History Month reading list: the essential recent releases
