Pee Wee Ellis Live & Funky CD

Saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis may not be a household name, but his name is spoken with reverence by other funk musicians and fans of vintage soul. A former music director for James Brown (and co-composer of such soul classics as "Cold Sweat" and "Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud"), he collaborated with Brown and fellow J.B.'s Fred Wesley, Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker, and others to establish the parameters of modern funk. This live album finds him reunited with several of his old compadres as well as singer Fred Ross for an unabashed revival of that sound, including a number of James Brown tunes ("Pass the Peas," "I Got the Feeling," "Cold Sweat," "I Got You [I Feel Good]"). There are a couple of missteps: the cover of Bill Withers' emotionally damp "Grandma's Hands" was utterly unnecessary, and it's not at all clear why Ellis chose to take "I Got You (I Feel Good)" at half the normal tempo. But overall, this album is lots of good, sweaty, greasy, funky fun. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson

Personnel: Pee Wee Ellis (vocals, tenor saxophone); Fred Wisley (vocals, trombone); Fred Ross (vocals); Mick Gaffney, Mike Hogan (guitar); Jimmy Smith (keyboards); Curtis Ohlson (bass); John Mader (drums).