Embedded Files
The title could have come from the 1970 James Brown single of the same name, but it was not included on the album. It wasn't even on the American version, which was released the previous year. However, the song's lyrics include the refrain "I've got soul and I'm super bad." The positive use of the word "bad" is an example of linguistic reappropriation, which Brown had done before in "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud". Perhaps it is the latter that inspired the concept of the album as featured successful songs from popular black artists.
Fourteen of the tracks were hits in the UK. One, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" did not chart until 1983. Aretha Franklin's track, "Mocking Bird" was not officially released in the UK.
In the January 11, 1975 issue of Record Mirror, it was announced that Super Bad had been the 13th best selling album of 1974 and the best-performing K-tel album that year. Only Arcade Records beat it in the budget album stakes with Elvis' 40 Greatest, which finished at #4.
On February 15, 1975, Music Week reported that Super Bad was #2 in their Chart Performance Survey, immediately beneath Arcade's Elvis' 40 Greatest, when it came to Mid Price & TV Compilations. The two labels dominated the chart, with K-tel also having Dynamite at #4 and Musical Explosion at #6.
Genre Funk, Soul
Label K-tel
Cat # NE 499
Artist Various
Released May 1974
Formats LP, cassette, 8-track
List price £2.25 (LP & cassette)
Chart peak #N/A
BPI cert N/A
Reviews
This £2.25 package consists of 24 soul numbers from American labels with contributions ranging from recent UK hits to the murkier obscurities of black music. There are good tracks by Harold Melvin, Gladys Knight, The Isley Brothers and Aretha Franklin.
The (Newcastle) Journal, May 24, 1974
THE soul fan is well catered for by a new compilation of 24 tracks by top artists in this field entitled "Super Bad." These black artists beat out songs which are disco favourites and which you can listen to on your own or which will liven up any party in your home or a youth club dance session. Many were hits in this country; others deserved to be.
Several recording companies have provided tracks so no one outlet or producer dominates the selection. There is infinite variety.
(Hartlepool) Mail, May 25, 1974
If an LP ever lived up to its title, its K-Tel's other offering called "Super Bad", which is mostly pathetic and for about eight minutes reasonable. The idea of putting together 24 tracks of soul is excellent but K-Tel are not that benevolent. Three or four are acknowledged "greats". but it seems the rest are in to make up the numbers.
Curtis Mayfield's "Move on Up" plus numbers by soul queen Aretha Franklin and Diane Ross and the Four Tops show what soul music 'is all about. A few other tracks might provide background or disco material. You could say it's a good album, if you want to pay two quid for four decent records.
Rutland & Stamford Mercury, May 31, 1974
This is, in fact, super good. It has got the lot for soul fans. Twenty-five of the best soul sounds of the recent year. You just can't get better than this.
Liverpool Echo, June 1, 1974
24 Original Hits - 24 Original Stars
JOE SIMON: 'Step By Step'
THE ISLEY BROTHERS: 'That Lady (Part 1)'
ROBERT KNIGHT: 'Love On A Mountain Top'
SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE: 'If You Want Me To Stay'
MILLIE JACKSON: 'It Hurts So Good'
DON DOWNING: 'Lonely Days Lonely Nights'
THE POINTER SISTERS: 'Yes We Can Can'
NEW YORK CITY: 'I'm Doin' Fine Now'
THE THREE DEGREES: 'Dirty Ol' Man'
RONNIE DYSON: 'When You Get Right Down To It'
O'JAYS: 'Back Stabbers'
BARRY WHITE: 'I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby'
FOUR TOPS AND THE SUPREMES: 'Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)'
BILLY PRESTON: 'Will It Go Round In Circles'
MARVIN GAYE: 'What's Going On'
STEVIE WONDER: 'Superwoman'
CYMANDE: 'The Message'
TIMMY THOMAS: 'Why Can't We Live Together'
ARETHA FRANKLIN: 'Mocking Bird'
THE INTRUDERS: 'I'll Always Love My Mama'
BRENDA AND THE TABULATIONS: 'One Girl Too Late'
HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES: 'If You Don't Know Me By Now'
GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS: 'Midnight Train To Georgia'
CURTIS MAYFIELD: 'Move On Up'
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