Escape-Ism, Pt. 1 (Pt. 1)

Recorded in 1971 at Polydor's New York studios, Escape-Ism features James Brown on lead vocals and organ with members of his band, including John 'Jabo' Starks on drums, Fred Thomas on bass, Hearlon 'Cheese' Martin and Robert Lee Coleman on guitars, Fred Wesley on trombone and Johnny Griggs on congas. Produced by Brown, the recording originated as an extended studio improvisation, later edited into separate parts for its single and album releases. Released in June 1971, Escape-Ism was James Brown's first single on his People Records label, reaching number 6 on Billboard's R&B chart and number 35 on the Hot 100. Its sparse, repetitive rhythmic arrangement and spontaneous spoken exchanges demonstrated Brown's increasingly improvisational approach to recording, while the extended performance anticipated the emphasis on rhythm and vocal delivery that would influence hip-hop. Escape-Ism became an influential source of hip-hop sampling, notably providing rhythmic and vocal elements for Bell Biv DeVoe's 1990 hit Poison. The previously unreleased nineteen-minute complete studio take, issued on the 1992 CD reissue of Hot Pants, further established the recording as an important document of Brown's improvisational methods and the rhythmic interplay of his early-1970s band.