Lynn Collins

Mama Feelgood: The Best of Lyn Collins
$10.98
The late Lyn Collins may best be known for two songs made long after her solo career waned: the 1988 Hip Hop hit "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock (they sampled Collins's voice from her song "Think (About It)" for the hook) and Jamaican Dancehall queen Patra's 1993 reworking of "Think (About It)", which featured Collins, billed as "The Sultry Siren of Funk". She was a protege of James Brown who was also known as "The Female Preacher" and "Mama Feelgood".

MAMAFEEL GOOD: THE BEST OF LYN COLLINS is comprised of 20 songs, from (with the exception of 1971's "Wheel of Life") 1972-1975; tracks are not in chronological order. Disc packaged in clear jewel case; total running time: 77:51. Booklet includes a few very small black & white photos, images of her two album covers, a grammatically flawed essay by Charles Waring (in a very small font, maybe 5 point, which because of its size is difficult to read), and no detailed track information (no musician personnel, producer credits, recording dates, etc; some chart positions provided in text of essay). Sound quality is good.

These songs are from her two albums, 1972's "Think (About It)" and 1975's "Check Me Out If You Don't Know Me By Now", as well as a live recording (track 12), non-album singles, and two soundtrack contributions.

01. Think (About It) [1972] (top 10 R&B)
02. Mama Feel Good [1973] from the film "Black Caesar" (#37 R&B)
03. Baby Don't Do It [1975]
04. Don't Make Me Over [1974]
05. Wheel of Life [1971]
06. I'll Never Let You Break My Heart Again [1972]
07. Rock Me Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again [1974] (#53 R&B)
08. Backstabbers [1975] duet with James Brown
09. Things Got to Get Better [1972]
10. We Want to Parrty, Parrty, Parrty (Parts 1 & 2) [1973] (#64 R&B)
11. Take Me Just As I Am [1973] (#35 R&B)
12. Do Your Thing [1972] live at the Apollo Theater
13. You Can't Love Me If You Don't Respect Me [1974]
14. Me and My Baby Got a Good Thing Goin' [1972]
15. Put It On the Line [1975]
16. Ain't No Sunshine [1972]
17. Give It Up or Turnit a Loose [1974 (#77 R&B)
18. How Long Can I Keep It Up [1975] from the film "Slaughter's Big Rip Off" (#45 R&B)
19. Never Gonna Give You Up [1972]
20. What My Baby Needs Now Is a Little More Lovin' [1972] duet with James Brown (top 20 R&B)

Familiar songs include Isaac Hayes's "Do Your Thing", The O'Jay's "Backstabbers", Burt Bacharach's "Don't Make Me Over", Bill Withers's "Ain't No Sunshine", and James Brown's own "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose". There are two duets with James Brown (tracks 8, 20) included, but not "Just Won't Do Right", which was issued as Collins's first 45. Her charting rendition of "If You Don't Know Me By Now" is also not included.

Like many of James Brown's recordings, these songs include a considerable amount of background shouts, cheers, and chatter. Lyn Collins's voice is strong; not overwhelmingly big or powerful or loud, but strong and often raspy. I would compare her voice to that of Irma Thomas.

Music: 3 stars
Packaging: 1 star

Bug (Special Edition)
$14.98
I just want to start off by saying that I loved this film. A lot of people have given it bad reviews, which is respectable, but many of the reviews were about people being "mislead" by the ads and trailers for the movie. One reviewer said that the trailer showed actual bugs - well, they DID show bugs in the movie. There would be brief clips of bugs squirming around; those brief clips helped show you what Agnes and Peter were seeing, especially under the microscope. But, they weren't real. I watched this movie KNOWING that it was going to be a psychological thriller, NOT a horror movie. So I honestly don't know why people get upset about thinking that it was going to be a "sci-fi" or about "monsters". All you have to do is read the back of the box, or better yet read some reviews.

But, regardless of the bad reviews, I really enjoyed this movie. I like movies that have to do with mental illnesses and people going insane. What really got me was Judd's character just eating up everything that Peter told her. She was such a vulnerable character to begin with, so in misery and even a bit paranoid herself. Needless to say, she was already a bit mental before Peter arrived. He just helped her step out of the circle and into the expanding madness. A lot of people complain about movies that have to do with mental illnesses. Not me. I love both books and movies like that.

I do want to mention that a lot of people are confused about the doctor smoking. I didn't think anything of it at the time because what I was thinking was "Okay, he's a doctor and he's trying to sit down and calm her down so that he can talk to her and they can feel comfortable". In otherwords, he's trying to tell her "Look, I'm just like you, let's try and see eye to eye". So, it makes sense to me, not so much to others obviously.

The only thing I didn't like was that it was too short. I feel like if they had drawn it out more it would have been better, much more impacting. It didn't really creep me out. I didn't expect it to. I didn't even consider it a horror. It's the concept and everything behind it that stays with you. This guy thinks he has bugs and he's manipulated this woman to think she has them too. That's the idea, not that "this isn't even about bugs" or "this isn't horror" or "where are the monsters and action". It's a psychological thriller. You've got to think deeper than just what's given to you in the film. The idea is to leave you with thinking that, if you're not careful, anyone can manipulate you, just like Jim Jones and just like Peter did with Agnes. Especially vulnerable people. That is what I got from the film. That people can be twisted into something that isn't real and how, as humans, we can believe almost anything, no matter how bizzare.

Great movie overall. I won't recommend other movies like reviewers on here do. Instead I'll just say give this one a try. If you don't like it, that's cool. But personally, I loved it.

The Dog Problem
$27.98
The subtle yet powerful influence this little creature has over the lives of the humans he comes in contact with makes for an entertaining and thought provoking film. The performances of Ribisi, Collins and Caan are great! The supporting cast is also excellent and includes a sweet bit by Don Cheadle as Ribisi's therapist. Watch this film with someone you care about-smiles, hugs and a few tears of joy will be assured!

Think (About It)
$30.98
An old standard reworked into a funk bomb. James Brown and his J.B.'s take "Fly Me to the Moon" and groove on it. Lyn Collins wails above it all. You gotta hear it to believe it.This album features some classic material. "Think (About it)" is a classic feminist anthem. Who wrote it? The man with the crown, James Brown. The man who sings "It's a Man's World" also wrote another monster for Ms. Collins- found on this album- called "Women's Lib". Anyone who dare call into question the lyrical skills of Mr. Brown hasn't heard this album.Lyn Collins tears it up on this record. Her voice is a marvel to behold. Listen to what she does with "Ain't No Sunshine", it'll drop your jaw to the floor. "Wheel of Life"? Please, this is a smash that never was! Despite some heavy funk, this album is more relaxed than you might imagine. I docked it a star because it feels a bit ballad-heavy on the whole. But don't let that deter you from picking this up- it's worth the cost of the pricey Japanese import.