Music On Vinyl Release Rick James Collected On 30th May

Rick James, born James Ambrose Johnson in 1948 in Buffalo, NY, fled to Toronto to avoid the draft and formed the R&B band The Mynah Birds, where Neil Young briefly joined. After being jailed for draft evasion, James returned to music, developing a signature funk style with bands like The Great White Cane. In 1978, he signed with Motown's Gordy Records and released his hit debut Come And Get It!. He followed with successful albums like Bustin’ Out Of L Seven and Fire It Up. His 1981 album Street Songs marked his international breakthrough, featuring hits like “Give It To Me Baby” and “Super Freak,” earning gold records and Grammy nods.

 

Rick James followed up his breakthrough with albums like Throwin’ Down, featuring hits “Dance Wit’ Me” and “Standing On The Top” with The Temptations, and Cold Blooded, which included “Ebony Eyes” with Smokey Robinson. He also wrote and produced Eddie Murphy’s hit “Party All The Time,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts. His Collected album features additional highlights like “Glow,” “Loosey’s Rap” with Roxanne Shanté, and “In The Ghetto” with Busta Rhymes.