I was listening to all my Mayfield albums over the course of last couple of days when I was sick at home and despite being greatly cheered up by the music in overall I could not help but think that there is one single very overrated piece of music in his catalog. Yes I do know that the last "collaboration" effort and the "disco" albums aren't exactly awesome either, but there is one classic Mayfield album that I found out isn't quite up to its reputation:

"There's No Place Like America Today"

Don't get me wrong. There are excellent songs on it as well: "Billy Jack", "Hard Times", "So In Love" - but there are also very unimpressing toss-offs like "Jesus" and "When Seasons Change" that find Curtis struggling to even get a single note out of his larynx to a non-existing melody and unimaginative background music. The orchestrations are gone up to this point of his career so the sound is more barren and the lyrics, well, lack the (t)wi(s)t of his early works.

Great cover art though. Probably that's what makes people consider this album a classic in the canon. Even "Sweet Exorcist" and "Give, Get, Take And Have" top this one in my opinion.

Different strokes I guess
I love the album & When seasons change
i 1 of my favourites.
/peace Manki

I agree with mani. it's one of his best records.

tommysoul said:

Im with Novabreaker to a certain degree & for me 'No Place' is definately Curtis' weakest mid 70's album. Sweet Exorcist & especially Got To Find A Way are much stronger.

Still, I wont have a bad word said against the genius man Curtis & as we know even his weakest efforts & are worthy additions to any half-decent funk & soul collection.