“King Heroin” is based on a poem by Manny Rosen, a former boxer who worked toasting bread at a deli in Times Square. He lost his daughter to a heroin overdose. James Brown’s intense portrayal of addiction, told from the perspective of heroin. This song was born as a protest song against the reality that was rampant among Black youth at the time. The backing band features members of James Brown’s studio band, including Richard Tee and Billy Cobham, delivering superb, bluesy soul jazz. (Original Japanese text by KANO)