The Funkmasters: The Great James Brown (Manhattan Music Publications) Paperback – 1 Jan. 1997

If you're a guitarist, bassist or drummer and have any interest in funk then you need this book. The parts to 24 of James Brown's best known grooves are disected and transcribed, complete with recorded renditions on CD. Guitar and bass parts are written out in notation and TAB, and each drum part has a simple and an advanced transcription. I'm an experienced guitarist but a beginner drummer and I'm looking forward to using this book to develop my drumming skills. An essential resource for those wishing to unlock the secrets of the funk!

Although a guitarist, many of the lines here are very basic and repetitive but what a bonus to have Bass lines to be messing with too. Going back to Guitar lines, with Funk/Soul guitar it tends to be more on the feel than the challenge so although didn't waste a lot of time on these to get playing, enjoyed the feel of each song and well presented in Tab form. Drums are even broken down here if any use to multi-musiciains. Loved the bios on each song too from session musicians who played on tracks. Well worth a buy.

Having recently had the privilege to see the Funkmasters live (stubblefield, starks, wesley, worrell) I had a look in Amazon and came up with this book. So pleased with it. The writers have done a fantastic job. The notation and recorded examples are spot on. Very faithful to the original recordings in my opinion. (e.g - the amazing bass run Bootsy does at the end of the bridge in "give it up turn it loose" is included and is perfect.) That's a real anorak thing to say.Also as a non-music reader, all guitar and bass parts have been tabbed which is handy.If you like the G.F.O.S and play guitar bass or drums you should get this.

Really good practice tool as well as a source of peripheral info. Parts for the whole rhythm section so you can jam with buddies as well as with the cd

Excellent book. I knew very little about James Brown's music and, to be honest no interest in funk, but just fancied something different musically. And this is it! Backing tracks for drums, bass and guitar. Great fun playing bass line or guitar along with the backing tracks. And it's not often amateurs get to play to a pure drum backing track. It's good to read the history of these great players that supported James Brown.The 2 CDs provide a full composition track and then individual drum, bass track and guitar tracks.

This book is excellent for all musicians interested in playing James Brown songs. It covers about 20+ popular/significant tracks. A half page interesting blurb is given for each track and each part from the actual band members on each song. Sheet and tab notation for the full mix, drum, bass and guitar. A CD that gives the full mix and separate drum/bass/guitar parts at a slower pass to practise with.I've been playing bass for ~3 years and this is one of the best books I've found to date. I can plug in the drum patterns into my drum machine and practice to slower tempos to eventually work up to Bootsy speed. From the bass perspective there are a range of songs for easy to very very difficult, so if your starting off, you can play along with "hot pants" and get rocking quickly.

This is an excellent in-depth study of Mr.Brown's rhythm sections. Chusk Silverman demonstrates thorough knowledge and great enthusiasm, the interviews with former Brown players are fascinating, offering a unique insight into the perils and delights of working with the 'hardest working man in showbusiness'.The book is essential source material for all rhythm section players.

Useful book for a workshop I attended. The only issue is that it does not always cover the bridge and or the chorus of the tunes.This is s bit of a nuisance if you are trying to cover the tunes.Otherwise a good book and worth buying.