A double-CD retrospective of 1956-1964 recordings that charts
Brown's progress from doo wop and
Little Richard-influenced R&B to the verge of his groundbreaking mid-'60s funk. It doesn't include his biggest hits of the era (which are found on
Star Time), but these are by and large equally exciting. Many fine overlooked R&B hits and B-sides are included like "Shout and Shimmy," "I've Got Money," the gospel-influenced "Oh Baby Don't You Weep," and "Maybe the Last Time," which inspired
the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time." ~ Richie Unterberger