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.

"Freak Flag"
"Forever and a Day"
"Sweet and Sexy Thing"
"Free To Be Me"
"Save It For Me"
"Freak Flag"
"R U Experienced"
"Funk in America / Silly Little Man"
"Slow and Easy (Interlude)"
"Slow and Easy"
"Om Raga"
"Painted Pictures"
"Freak Flag"

2014 digital remaster bonus tracks

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

2014 Complete Motown Albums bonus tracks

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

Notes and References

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