James Browns The Payback, originally issued in 1973 as a sprawling double LP, stands as a high point of his career and a landmark in funk. The record drives with extended grooves, tight horn work, and Browns unmistakable vocal intensity that helped redefine the groove. This 2014 Polydor/UMG reissue returns the album to two vinyl discs, preserving the ambitious arc critics celebrate. An essential chapter in James Browns catalog, The Payback remains a touchstone for funk energy and fearless experimentation.