You can go home again, as James Brown proved in 1967, returning to Harlem's Apollo Theater for a second live album. The first, financed by the Godfather of Soul when Cincinnati's King Records' owner Syd Nathan balked, became his biggest LP, reaching No. 2 on the pop charts. That 1962 record is still considered the best-ever live album.

        When Mr. Brown rolled tape five years later, he was a very different performer. An R&B star for more than a decade, he'd gained new confidence from his pop success.

        By 1967, he wanted to be the complete singer/performer/bandleader. He pulls it off on this double CD.

        Here he's a soulful Sinatra, crooning “I Wanna Be Around” and “That's Life,” with a string section augmenting his Famous Flames. But when he sings “Prisoner of Love,” it's his way, morphing the pop ballad into raw soul.

        The first CD is also the JB soul revue — a duet with female singer Marva Whitney on “Think,” organist Bobby Byrd's vocal on “Sweet Soul Music” and the Famous Flames' take on “Caravan.”

        But the centerpiece is the 19-minute “It's a Man's Man's Man's World.” Sure, the lyrics are dated, but the extended length lets JB work like a jazz soloist, stretching into falsetto shrieks or percussively grunting.

        Casual JB fans are directed to Disc 2. It's “Startime.” as the band notches up the intensity, following its leader though his soul/funk canon. With Mr. Byrd, saxophonist, Maceo Parker and Pee Wee Ellis, drummer Jabo Starks, guitarist Jimmy Nolen and the other Famous Flames behind him, Mr. Brown lives his legend.

        There are ballads, such as “Try Me,” but it's his pile-driving, sweaty funk that makes this an essential disc.

        This is “Jaaaaames Brown” in full burn, exploding into the jackhammer ballet of “Bring It Up,” “I Feel All Right,” “Cold Sweat,” “I Got You (I Feel Good)” and his ritual, cape-draped finale, “Please Please Please.”

        It doesn't get any better.

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