The Flag (album) explained

The Flag
Type:Album
Artist:Rick James
Cover:The flag rick james.jpg
Released:1986
Recorded:1985−1986
Label:Gordy
Producer:Rick James
Prev Title:Glow
Prev Year:1985
Next Title:Wonderful
Next Year:1988

The Flag is a studio album by Rick James, released in 1986.[1] [2] It was his last album on the Gordy Records imprint of Motown Records.[3] James considered The Flag to be a political album.[4]

The album peaked at #95 on the Billboard Top 200.[5]

Critical reception

People wrote that James's "strong, supple voice and superb arranging talents are wasted."[6] The Los Angeles Times wrote that the album "is meant to be a return to the hard-core funk sound that established James, and while it’s a step in the right direction, it doesn’t stomp hard enough."[2]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Rick James.

  1. "Freak Flag"
  2. "Forever and a Day"
  3. "Sweet and Sexy Thing"
  4. "Free To Be Me"
  5. "Save It For Me"
  6. "Freak Flag"
  7. "R U Experienced"
  8. "Funk in America / Silly Little Man"
  9. "Slow and Easy (Interlude)"
  10. "Slow and Easy"
  11. "Om Raga"
  12. "Painted Pictures"
  13. "Freak Flag"

2014 digital remaster bonus tracks

  1. "Sweet And Sexy Thing (12" Extended Mix)" - 9:06
  2. "Forever And A Day (12" Extended Mix)" - 7:37

2014 Complete Motown Albums bonus tracks

  1. "Sweet And Sexy Thing (12" Extended Mix)" - 9:06
  2. "Sweet And Sexy Thing (12" Instrumental)" - 8:08
  3. "Sweet And Sexy Thing (12" Version)" - 7:41
  4. "Forever And A Day (12" Extended Mix)" - 7:37
  5. "Forever And A Day (Instrumental)" - 7:34

Notes and References

  1. Book: Benjaminson, Peter. Super Freak: The Life of Rick James. March 1, 2017. Chicago Review Press. 9781613749609. Google Books.
  2. Web site: JAMES: NO STOMP. July 20, 1986. Los Angeles Times.
  3. Book: Thompson, Dave. Funk. August 8, 2001. Hal Leonard Corporation. 9780879306298. Google Books.
  4. Book: Powell . Elliott H. . Sounds from the Other Side . 2020 . University of Minnesota Press . 65.
  5. Web site: Rick James. Billboard.
  6. Web site: Picks and Pans Review: The Flag. PEOPLE.com.