"Pass The Peas" by The J.B.'s

The J.B.’s were one of the tightest funk crews in the game back in the day. They never failed to bring optimal groove goodness to their tracks. “Pass The Peas” was one of their biggest hits and a longtime favorite among funk lovers. This is deep down-home funk as only the J.B.’s could do it. It features a badass horn arrangement, dope bass, and a cold beat. Fred Wesley serves up a delectable ‘bone solo, and James Brown sweetens the groove with some soulful organ.

“Pass the Peas” was written by James Brown, John “Jabo” Starks, and Charles Bobbit. It was released in 1972 on Brown’s label, People Records, and included on the J.B.’s album Food For Thought. The song peaked at #29 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart and #95 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Pass the Peas” has been sampled on 77 songs, including Eric B. & Rakim’s “I Ain’t No Joke,” Heavy D & the Boyz’s “The Overweight Lovers in the House,” De La Soul’s “Pass the Plugs” and MF Doom’s “Doomsday.” It has been featured on the soundtracks of the films Crooklyn (1994), Rush Hour 2 (2001), and Jerry Maguire (1996).

The full personnel for “Pass The Peas” was Fred Thomas (bass), Hearlon “Cheese” Martin (guitar), Jerone "Jasaan" Sanford (trumpet), John “Jabo” Starks (drums), James Brown (organ), Robert Coleman (guitar), Fred Wesley (trombone), Jimmy Parker (alto saxophone), Russel Crimes (trumpet), St. Clair Pinckney (tenor saxophone), vocals (the J.B.’s), spoken word introduction (Bobby Byrd and Bobby Roach). The song was produced and arranged by Brown.

James and the J.B.'s performing "Pass The Peas" live at The Apollo in 1972

"Pass The Peas" at Amazon

Related blog entries: 

"Doing It to Death" (aka "Gonna Have a Funky Good Time") Pts. 1 & 2 by Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s

"Gimme Some More" by the J.B.'s