Marva Whitney: It's My Thing 180g Vinyl LP

Why you'll love it

Vampi Soul presses this reissue on 180g vinyl. Produced by James Brown, it's the solo album from the James Brown Revue's star singer, led by her answer to The Isley Brothers' "It's Your Thing."

This edition

180g vinyl

About the album

Marva Whitney started singing at three with her family's gospel group in Kansas City, and by 1967 she had turned down tours with Bobby Bland and Little Richard to join the James Brown Revue. Brown gave her a title to live up to, Soul Sister #1, and she did, with one of the toughest, brassiest voices in funk.

Brown produced the album, and his band cooks behind her. "It's My Thing (Part 1)" and "It's My Thing (Part 2)" open with her fiery reply to the Isleys, "Unwind Yourself" is the single Brown cut with her in 1968, and "Things Got To Get Better (Get Together)" and "You Got To Have A Job" keep the heat on. Hip hop later found plenty to love here, and Public Enemy sampled the title track on Bring the Noise.

Funk fans have long ranked her among the rawest singers Brown ever produced. Answering a hit by the Isley Brothers and coming off rather well is, as we say in the shop, a strong start.

Also at Kops: more Marva Whitney on vinyl · browse 70s Soul On Up

Tracklist

Side A
1. It's My Thing (Part 1)
2. It's My Thing (Part 2)
3. Things Got To Get Better (Get Together)
4. What Kind Of Man
5. If You Love Me
6. In The Middle

Side B
1. Unwind Yourself
2. You Got To Have A Job
3. I'll Work It Out
4. Get Out Of My Life
5. I'm Tired, I'm Tired, I'm Tired
6. Shades Of Brown