I always think of 1974-75 James Brown similarly to the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. Before that legendary team of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Ron Harper and Toni Kukoc broke up, they went out and got another championship. Before James Brown’s band broke up in 1975, his legendary team of Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, John “Jabo” Starks, Jimmy Nolen, Hearlon “Cheese” Martin, Fred Thomas and more, had to show the fierce up-and-comers (EWF, Kool and the Gang, War, Mandrill, Tower of Power…) that they still had to kiss the ring. Dig this version of “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” from September 1974 on the Midnight Special. HAPPY HEAVENLY 91st BIRTHDAY, MR. BROWN!