Rick James has recorded some funky tunes in his career, but this album definitely was the funkiest and sold the most too. I remember seeing the video to "Give It To Me Baby" and the chick in that video was hot. The song was funky as well. Rest in peace brother Rick!
August 20, 2007 |  | One Of The Great Classic Motown Albums! |  |
The late Rick James first love was the fine art of jazz music. He eventually found his calling in the field of funk and soul. In 1981, James released "Street Songs", which goes down in Motown history as quite possibly the greatest funk album ever released. This album stayed on top of the R&B charts for over 5 months, and was fueled by the the #1 mega hits "Give It To Me", and "Superfreak", which dominated the pop charts all summer long in 1981. This album had no trouble crossing over to the playlists of middle America Radio airwaves. This is some of the best dance music ever waxed and although his career did not have the longevity everyone expected due to a multitude of personal problems, Rick James for one year, ruled the pop world. He took a little from George Clinton's style, and passed on his own influence to such pop stars as Prince. This cd contains two bonus tracks that are extended dance mixes of his big hits "Superfreak" and "Give It To Me". An array of stars play supporting roles like Stevie Wonder,Teena Marie and three members of the Temptations, most notably the bass voice of the late Melvin Franklin. With a bargain price attached to this classic album, the purchase of this cd is a no brainer if you were one of those souls who fondly remember the dance clubs of 1981.
August 22, 2006| | | Could Easily Be A Greatest Hits CD | |
When I looked at the track listing for "Street Songs" I thought maybe it was a Re-issue greatest hits compilation with the same name as his earlier album then I realized that this was the same "Street Songs" only with two bonus tracks. Artists today are lucky to have one or two hits on an album, but this album is packed with hits. The first song "Give It ToMe Baby," sounds great remastered. The second song "Ghetto Life," man Rick really signs from the heart when he says "Ain't no need to hurry," basically saying their is no need to rush in the ghetto because everything will be there tommorrow. "Ghetto Life" also gained new fans as it was featured on the soundtrack for the video game Grand Theft Auto Vice City. This album also includes "Superfreak," a song that is over 20 years old that still bumps and sounds great and makes you want to get up and dance. "Street Songs" also includes the Teena Marie duet and classic song "Fire and Desire." This is a GREAT CD. The bonus tracks are 12 inch mixes of "Give It To Me Baby" and "Superfreak."
October 17, 2004| | | "gotta fill the groove ~ Rick James" | |
Great musicial genius---Rick James is Funky, but also has many other attributes. James blends so many styles all at once---just take a listen to "GIVE IT TO ME BABY", the lyrics grab you ~ "GHETTO LIFE", a beat to die for ~ "CALL ME UP", get yourself a cell phone for this classic conversation ~ and "SUPER FREAK", he has his own sound. Trust me, if you haven't heard those songs, you have not lived - hot smoldering Funk at its absolute zenith, very essential material.
Little bit of everything is the remastered album "Street Songs", completely composed, produced and arranged by the man himself. This CD has a whole lot of "funk" and a little bit of blues all rolled up into one. Soul-ful and a classic to this day. The punk funk king is in full-effect on this album---Rick James was front and center on the street tip, long before any of the gangsta rap---less we mention the two bonus tracks "GIVE IT TO ME BABY" and "SUPER FREAK", twelve inch mixes from 1981, all arranged by Rick with one thought in mind---to fill your groove, gotta love it!
Total Time: 47:58 on 10 Tracks ~ Motown 440-064-023-2 ~ (2002) December 27, 2002
Rick James is more remembered for his drug and criminal problems but in his hey day, he produced some superior funk music. Street Songs ranks with any funk album and Mr. James has never been better. The album features the ubiquitous "Super Freak" which has taken on a life of its own. Despite the saturation of it, the song has a vicious bass line and is a master groove. There are other superb cuts on the album like the sultry "Give It To Me Baby", the open come on of "Make Love To Me", the smoldering "Fire & Desire" and "Call Me". The album isn't all about parties as he speaks of inner city troubles in "Ghetto Love" that is set over a sweet groove, the scathing indictment of police indifference in "Mr. Policeman" and the drug scene in "Below The Funk (Pass The J)".
November 27, 2002More reviews at Amazon.com ...
