James Brown

THE FIRST PHASE of James Brown's tempestuous career was as a '60s soul screamer in a suit at least two sizes too small for him. With phase two he became The Godfather of Funk with blistering tracks like Sex Machine and impossible dance routines. Phase three came in the '80s with the rise of DJ power when almost every other record sampled a JB grunt or yell or drum track. Then, just as his influence was peaking, he was arrested. Now released from prison, he's back on the good foot playing live and ready for phase four.