Rick James

Self-described architect of “punk funk” — rougher and more rock-inflected than most of his Motown labelmates, recorded for the Gordy subsidiary. Super Freak and the Street Songs album (1981) were the commercial peak, but the run before that is worth knowing too.

Of note: Motown/Gordy pressings from this run are plentiful on eBay, which keeps most of it affordable. The harder finds are the promo-only and radio-edit pressings.