James Brown - Soulful Christmas

Santa's got a brand new bag!

Holiday originals from the Godfather of Soul

Includes the hit "Say It Loud — I'm Black And I'm Proud"

The "Godfather of Soul" James Brown passed away on Christmas Day 2006 — a day after doing one of the things he loved most, giving toys to young children.

Brown recorded three terrific Christmas albums during his career, but his second one, A Soulful Christmas, released in December 1968, features the hip and funky "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto."

It also features the most important record in soul music history, "Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud) Parts 1 and 2," which shot to number one for six weeks in October 1968, only two weeks after it entered the soul singles chart, which is indicative of the overwhelming response to the single. The song went to No. 10 on the pop singles chart and would be Brown's last Top 10 pop hit until "Living in America" in 1986.

Many pop radio stations felt "Say it Loud" was militant and therefore downscaled the playing of James Brown's future recordings for many years. Regardless, in the wake of the racial unrest in the country and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King in April 1968, Brown felt it was time to record this important song and he included it on this Christmas album to remind black people to have pride in who they are.

Side 1

Santa Clause Go Straight To The Ghetto

Santa Claus, Santa Claus

Believers Shall Enjoy (Non Believers Shall Suffer)

Soulful Christmas

Tit For Tat (Ain’t No Taking Back)

Christmas Is Coming

Side 2

Say It Loud (I’m Black And I’m Proud)(Part 1 & 2)

In The Middle

Let’s Unite The Whole World At Christmas

You Know It

Santa Claus Gave Me A Brand New Start

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