Grits & Soul is the sixth studio album by James Brown, released in 1964. It was his first album for Smash Records, a subsidiary of Mercury, after temporarily leaving King Records. The album shows a transition towards a more polished sound, blending soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues.
The record was recorded with The James Brown Orchestra, and includes instrumental and vocal versions. The song "Out of the Blue" stands out, becoming a minor hit. Production was handled by Brown himself, who sought to expand his style beyond early funk.
Although it did not achieve the same commercial impact as his earlier work on King, Grits & Soul is considered an important transitional album in Brown's career, showcasing his versatility as a performer and arranger. It was reissued on CD in 1992 by Mercury Records.