James Brown's backing bands had recorded their own instrumental records almost from the get-go, but the kickass early-'70s group led by trombonist Fred Wesley — and often featuring saxophonist Maceo Parker — had a sustained career of its own under various names, including the J.B.'s, Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s, and Maceo & the Macks. A lot of their records also got a second life as sample fodder for early hip-hop–Public Enemy, in particular, plundered the J.B.'s catalogue. The band's formula, at least on the singles collected here, was pretty simple: a heavy, watertight funk groove, a bunch of rowdy horn solos, maybe a simple chant. (The titles of "Givin' Up Food for Funk" and "Gimme Some More" are their sole lyrics; "Same Beat" also throws in a chunk of Jesse Jackson's "I Am Somebody" speech, although "Damn Right I Am Somebody" doesn't.) Brown, of course, turns up all over the place, singing and chatting and playing the occasional keyboard part, but this is really Wesley's star turn.