We haven’t met over the years but I have been an avid reader of your missives.

On Sunday I was pleased to read your piece about James Brown.

I have managed Mr. Brown over the past 4 and 1/2 years, and I would have to say that the timing of your comments about him "still having it" resonated strongly with me.

I spent last Saturday in the studio going through the tapes of the final album Mr. Brown was working on in the time leading up to his passing. He was making it in Augusta the old fashioned way, getting all the guys together in the studio and just banging it out. No muss, no fuss, no pro tools, just good players exploring relevant ideas.

I bring this up because there was a particular song that haunted me Saturday. It is called "Ancestors" and it is a eulogy of sorts. Mr. Brown wanted part 1 to intro the album and part 2 to close it. I know now it is how Mr. Brown wanted to be remembered. If you are interested, I would be happy to send you a copy with the proviso that you not share it with anybody at this time. I believe that in light of your comments, you would appreciate it.

Many thanks for the insights and kind words,

Frank Copsidas

Meanwhile, Frank sent the MP3s and boy was this shit FASCINATING! James rapping, philosophizing over the kind of late night track you’d hear in an English gangster movie. It was like he was still alive. Proved what a treasure we lost…