Search - Rick James :: Rick James: The Ultimate Collection

RIP-"Master Funk" Rick James !!!!!

Ruth A. Barrows | Van Nuys, CA | 09/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once Dave Chapelle had exposed Rick James on his show and brought his name to TV audience again...especially with that famous line "I'm RICK JAMES BITCH" (too funny). I started thinking about it and telling my kids and friends that I had the opportunity of seeing Rick James in concert with the Mary Janes Girls opening for him (in 83 or 84)for one of my birthdays and he was BADDDDDD, he really got off, coming on stage smoking marijuana and giving that sign with his fingers in a white suit. I told myself I had to buy a Rick James CD. But it wasn't until his death that I finally bought one and chose RICK JAMES-The Ultimate Collection.



I forgot how BAD (as in DAMN GOOD) he was until I started listening to this CD....MY GOD the funky sounds....before Prince, yes it was Rick James and before Rick James it was Sly Stone and Larry Graham, you can definetly hear it. And his voice was great!!!! I don't think Rick James got the props he really deserved during his time. He wrote, played and sang every song on this CD...He had TALENT!!! The funky sounds in "HIGH ON YOUR LOVE SUITE/ONE MO HIT", "YOU & I", "DANCE WIT' ME", "GHETTO LIFE" and "GIVE IT TO ME BABY" are awesome...you can definetly hear Sly & Larry. And his voice in the duets with Smokey Robinson & Teena Marie in "EBONY EYES" & "FIRE & DESIRE", GREAT....just GREAT, makes you want grab somebody and slow-dance. (Do the young people today slow dance...mmmm I haven't noticed lately.) "Mary Jane" my all time favorite, loved the catchy dance beat.....and even though he's singing about marijuana, just him saying the name Mary Jane reminded me of my mother I never knew because her name was Mary Jane and she died when I was 4yrs old."

The True Punk-Funk Master

Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 10/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While not a true definitive collection it still captures the pure genius and creative artist that Rick James embodied in the 70's and early 80's. He was one of the very first R&B artists to unite rock,punk,funk,and R&B (the "punk-funk" sound)of that era. He also produced and created material for other groups and artists such as Teena Marie, The Mary Jane Girls, Process and the Doo Rags, and Val Young.The only drawbacks are a few missing tracks, (from lesser known or chart topping albums) such as Glow and The Flag, and the inclusion of rare mixes or alternates. Still, this set highlights his glory days !"

Ultimate is the right word!

V. Wiley | Arkansas | 09/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't quit playing this CD since I received it. It blends classic funk with R&B. I am greatly pleased and will miss his unique style.



If you're thinking about buying this (you wouldn't be reading this if you weren't), go ahead. You won't be disappointed.



My favorite track is Fire & Desire. Rick James sounds excellent on this track. Hearing Teena Marie's voice is so pure, but rich-like, conveys a great deal from her heart to her mouth. It makes me feel like I'm at a concert watching them and swaying with the crowd in awe & amazement."