As i happened onto my regional newspapers website on this fine christmas afternoon, i noticed a headline “the godfather of soul is dead.” James died at 73 from pneumonia and died around 1.45am local time (1745 AEDT), said his agent, Frank Copsidas, of Intrigue Music.

This man had such a vast output of amazing music and was such a charismatic entertainer. He was rumored to have been very hard on the players in his many lineups, but managed to get the best out of them.

The music has indirectly influenced much of modern music today - disco, rock and of course hip hop. Being the most sampled man in history is no mean feat.

Im going to post a couple of the mans hits and a funky rendition by two australian jazz legends of an familiar christmas tune, from a release that is popular with the digging crowd for the drum break at the start, but nevertheless a great rendition in its own right.

James Brown rocks out during a concert in Shanghai, China, early this year.

Im glad that I had the opportunity to see the man live last year. Rest in peace James Brown.

papas got a brand new bag

away in a manger - don burrows quintet