James Brown 1933-2006

James Brown performing in 1969.

If that wasn't enough to convince you the man was a genius, check the dance moves out in the clip below. The young fella in the dark glasses and the powder blue jacket did.



When I was 15, I wrote an essay about my heroes. James Brown was one of them, as were Otis Redding and Roland Alphonso. I actually met Roland Alphonso five months before he died in November 1998 and I used to joke about meeting James Brown one day - because I never thought I'd meet Roland Al, there was always a chance I'd meet James Brown or see him perform. I never did.


Skatalites from 1992, including solos from the Roland Alphonso (about 6:00m in), Tommy McCook and Lester Sterling.


Otis Redding performs 'I Can't Turn You Loose', 'Shake' and 'Land Of 1000 Dances' with Eric Burdon of The Animals and Chris Farlowe on 'Ready Steady Go' in September 1966, around the time James Brown was recording 'It's A Man's World' and The Skatalites had turned into The Soul Brothers.

But here's one of my favourites to finish with.



Play JB LOUD if you're having a party tonight and keep diggin' the new breed thing into 2007 and beyond.

Champion's League and other stuff

Right, time is of the essence so here's a quick round up of all the essential nonsense that matters in MSK Today.

1. The Raiders were horrible on Sunday against the Texans. I could have watched the Giants/Cowboys game but I watched two awful teams. Houston deserved to win even though the Raider defense improved - but as the D was dire last year, the only way is up in any case.

After Betty Everett, now Otis Clay* gets in on the act.

BTW, here's a picture of Raider defensive co-ordinator Rob Ryan:

And here's one of ex-Welsh national rugby coach Scott Johnson.

This must be some kind of 'I'm not having my hair cut until we win' thing going on, although Johnson has now departed to help coach The Dark Side (ie Orstralia**)

2. The BCS Championship Game is (as exclusively predicted by myself!) is...OSU v Florida.

3. Barcelona and Chelski got through to the next stage of the European Cup but Manyoo need to beat Benfica at Old Trafford...wait, I'm getting some interference from the past here...

Now I'm excited.
More tomorrow.

* Not 'kin Yazz. Not here, not ever.

** Or the 'proper trouser' game. It's WINTER here, fer Chrissakes.