The Original Disco Man

Forget the "disco" in the title, because the album's not really disco -- or at least not in a way that any disco fan would agree to -- just more of a dancefloor-oriented approach to the heavy funk that James had always been cutting in the 70s! Tracks are longer and more uptempo than on earlier albums -- with stronger basslines, and a punchier overall sound that goes for catchy hooks and the kind of shouted, striking lyrics that made James stand out from the pack. Production and arrangements are by Brad Shapiro, of southern soul fame -- and that fact gives the album a deeper feel than you'd expect from a disco cash-in set.