^ Looks like a great album.

Random addition from me: great tune by Jurassic 5 that samples Curtis's Mr Welfare Man, which is also a great tune in its own right. Nice example of a sample being used in an interesting way on a hip hop track, I reckon: not an obvious choice, chopped-up in an interesting, abstract way, but still giving the track a certain extra 'flavour' that it wouldn't otherwise have had.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...Zm38QbhSKM

And one of the man's finest. Utterly sublime...

Fenwick said:

AshK said:

Super Fly

Give, Get, Take and Have

Short Eyes

There's No Place Like America Today

Is there a decent anthology/best of yet? Would be a good intro to his some 20 albums. I'll be sure to check out Roots though

Definitely. There are a few anthologies and for me personally, this one is the best.

http://www.amazon.com/Ant...amp;sr=8-1

It's a bit pricey brand new, but you can defintiely find it used on EBAY (and Amazon) for much cheaper. There are other anothogies out there brand new, but this one really has most of the essential Impressions material.

For full disclosure, if you listen to samples, the first 3/4's of the first disc are VERY old school - sometimes doo wop material. For some folks, doo wop is tacky, and dated. And sometimes it is. But don't let that throw you off in this case. After a few listens, you realize just how brilliant most of the songs are in their own right.

When you get down to 'We're A Winner" that's when the Impressions material really starts to turn more towards Superfly-esque grooves.

The reason i go through all of this is it depends on what you're looking for. If you're strictly looking for more Superfly funky grooves, get Curtis' first two solo albums. Curtis and Roots. They are both filled with tracks that are funky, soulful and deep.

If you want to hear the whole arc from the sweet more innocent grooves like "It's Alright" than the anthology I pasted a link to is really the way to go.

Sorry for posting a book.

There are a lot of Curtis collections out there to choose from so it really helps to get a recommendation from people familiar with his work, so thanks

[Edited 6/11/10 5:23am]

deebee said:

There are another couple of good ones out there, too -- Soul Legacy and People Get Ready -- which both seem to cover a pretty good spread of his career. (I reckon the latter looks particularly good.)

Thanks for the tip, although the People Get Ready one is pretty pricey here (£54) so I went with the Soul Legacy for a ridiculously low £14!

AshK said:

Fenwick said:

Definitely. There are a few anthologies and for me personally, this one is the best.

http://www.amazon.com/Ant...amp;sr=8-1

It's a bit pricey brand new, but you can defintiely find it used on EBAY (and Amazon) for much cheaper. There are other anothogies out there brand new, but this one really has most of the essential Impressions material.

For full disclosure, if you listen to samples, the first 3/4's of the first disc are VERY old school - sometimes doo wop material. For some folks, doo wop is tacky, and dated. And sometimes it is. But don't let that throw you off in this case. After a few listens, you realize just how brilliant most of the songs are in their own right.

When you get down to 'We're A Winner" that's when the Impressions material really starts to turn more towards Superfly-esque grooves.

The reason i go through all of this is it depends on what you're looking for. If you're strictly looking for more Superfly funky grooves, get Curtis' first two solo albums. Curtis and Roots. They are both filled with tracks that are funky, soulful and deep.

If you want to hear the whole arc from the sweet more innocent grooves like "It's Alright" than the anthology I pasted a link to is really the way to go.

Sorry for posting a book.

There are a lot of Curtis collections out there to choose from so it really helps to get a recommendation from people familiar with his work, so thanks

[Edited 6/11/10 5:23am]

Very cool. I see you went with the Soul Legacy one. You really can't go wrong either way!

That one has more Curtis solo tracks and less Impressions material, but it is still fabulous.

Happy listening..... I'll be curious to learn your favs.

Has anyone picked up that Impressions singles collection??

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Has anyone picked up that Impressions singles collection??

Do you mean this one?

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DSwbqstkL.jpg[/img:$uid]

I haven't heard it but I do not believe there is anything new/rare on it meaning nothing that is not on the twofer reissues.

Curtis was one of the most prolific musical geniuses of the 20th Century. He wasn't just a solo artist, but an amazing song writer and producer for other artists. With his labels Mayfield and Curtom, he has created his very own unique Soul sound which will stand the test of time.

Last year, I did a Curtom Records Tribute on my radio show ... for those of you not familiar with the Curtis Mayfield sound, or for those who want to expand their listening experience beyon Mayfield's own albums, this is the perfect mix to begin ...

Listen here:

http://midnightsoulstice....m-records/

Playlist:

- The Impressions - Thin Line (Curtom)

- The Notations - Take is slow (Gemigo)

- Arnold Blair - Trying to get next to you (Gemigo)

- The Voices of East Harlem - Little People (Just Sunshine)

- Five Stairsteps & Cubie - Madame Mary (Curtom)

- Baby Huey - Mighty Mighty Children P. 1 (Curtom)

- Goliath – Roving Minstrel (Curtom)

- Curtis Mayfield - Beautiful Brother of mine (Curtom)

- Marvin Smith - You’re really something Sadie (Mayfield)

- The Stridells - Mix it up (Curtom)

- Notations - Superpeople (Gemigo)

- Jesse Anderson - Let me back in (Thomas)

- Natural Four - Count on Me (Curtom)

- The Voices of East Harlem - So Rare (Just Sunshine)

- The Impressions - We go back a Ways (Curtom)

- Barbara Mason – Give me your Love (Buddah)

- Curtis Mayfield - In your arms again (Shake it) (Curtom)

- Leroy Hutson - Could this be Love (Curtom)

- Billy Butler - Play my Music (Curtom)

- Hound Dog - Bumpin’ (Gemigo)

- Jesse Anderson – Mighty, Mighty (Thomas)

- Natural Four - Things will be better tomorrow (Curtom)

- The Voices of East Harlem - Amazing Love (Just Sunshine)

- Five Stairsteps & Cubie - Baby make me feel so good (Curtom)

- Mystique feat. Ralph Johnson - Feel you up (Curtom)

- Linda Clifford - I can’t let this good thing get away (RSO)

- The Impressions - Old before my time (Curtom)

- Natural Four - Love that really counts (Curtom)

- The Notations - There I go (Gemigo)

- The Impressions - That’s what Love will do (Curtom)

- Leroy Hutson - Love to hold you close (Curtom)

- Natural Four - Heaven right here on Earth (Curtom)

[img:$uid]http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd80/DJPari/Midnight%20Soulstice/Curtom090409.jpg[/img:$uid]

rialb said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Has anyone picked up that Impressions singles collection??

Do you mean this one?

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DSwbqstkL.jpg[/img:$uid]

I haven't heard it but I do not believe there is anything new/rare on it meaning nothing that is not on the twofer reissues.

Yep, that's what I'mtalking about. Would it be bette to get the original two-fre albums or this singles collection?

I'm yo mama I'm your daddy I'm that Nigga in the alley

Im your doctor when you need

want some coke

Have some weed.

You know me I'm your man,

Your main boy .....thick in then.

I'm your pusher man!

Freddie's dead......

That's what I said......

Now when you ad the the horns in thae base with those two lines.....you have a hit right there!

Curtis is one of my favorite artists and songwriters. His early work with the Impressions is worth checking out like 'I'm So Proud', 'Keep on Pushing', 'We're A Winner', 'People Get Ready' etc. Some of the later songs after the 'Superfly' album are good too like 'So In Love', 'Back to the World', 'Only You Babe', 'Soul Music', 'You Are You Are', 'Keeps Me Loving You' & 'She Don't Let Nobody (But Me)' amongst others. The 'New World Order' album is also worth a listen too.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

rialb said:

Do you mean this one?

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DSwbqstkL.jpg[/img:$uid]

I haven't heard it but I do not believe there is anything new/rare on it meaning nothing that is not on the twofer reissues.

Yep, that's what I'mtalking about. Would it be bette to get the original two-fre albums or this singles collection?

Well you can sometimes find the twofers for 10-15 bucks which isn't too bad.

I could be mistaken but if you buy these albums I think you will have everything by the Curtis Mayfield led Impressions but not the earlier stuff with Jerry Butler:

The Impressions (1963)/The Never Ending Impressions (1964)

Keep On Pushing (1964)/People Get Ready (1965)

One By One (1965)/Ridin' High (1966)

Fabulous Impressions (1967)/We're A Winner (1968)

This Is My Country (1968)/The Young Mods' Forgotten Story (1969)

Check Out Your Mind (1970)/Times Have Changed (1972)

The ABC Rarities (includes The Versatile Impressions [1969])

To be honest like most R & B/Soul albums of the '60s there is a fair bit of filler on these discs. You might be better off getting the singles collection and maybe some of the later albums.

Times Have Changed does not feature Curtis as a singer but he did write and produce most of it.

rialb said:

Well you can sometimes find the twofers for 10-15 bucks which isn't too bad.

I could be mistaken but if you buy these albums I think you will have everything by the Curtis Mayfield led Impressions but not the earlier stuff with Jerry Butler:

The Impressions (1963)/The Never Ending Impressions (1964)

Keep On Pushing (1964)/People Get Ready (1965)

One By One (1965)/Ridin' High (1966)

Fabulous Impressions (1967)/We're A Winner (1968)

This Is My Country (1968)/The Young Mods' Forgotten Story (1969)

Check Out Your Mind (1970)/Times Have Changed (1972)

The ABC Rarities (includes The Versatile Impressions [1969])

To be honest like most R & B/Soul albums of the '60s there is a fair bit of filler on these discs. You might be better off getting the singles collection and maybe some of the later albums.

Times Have Changed does not feature Curtis as a singer but he did write and produce most of it.

Many years ago I compared the detailed track by track log of all of the Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions recording sessions to all of the material in your list and I believe I found ONE song that was not included. (I'd have to dig back through my research to find it).

For me, the only Curtis and the Impressions album that is mostly filler is One by One. It's mostly stale syrupy cover tunes. I don't think many of the other albums have too much filler.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Yep, that's what I'mtalking about. Would it be bette to get the original two-fre albums or this singles collection?

Assuming you're more normal than I am, I'd probably go with Rialb's recommendation and get a compilation. I tend to want to hear everything from someone I become a real fan of, (an addiction of mine) and buy everything that is available.

I do think by going for a compilation you will be missing out on some truly killer album tracks. But getting one of the ones that have been discussed here will definitely capture most of the essential stuff.

[Edited 6/12/10 6:32am]

MrSoulpower said:

Curtis was one of the most prolific musical geniuses of the 20th Century. He wasn't just a solo artist, but an amazing song writer and producer for other artists. With his labels Mayfield and Curtom, he has created his very own unique Soul sound which will stand the test of time.

Last year, I did a Curtom Records Tribute on my radio show ... for those of you not familiar with the Curtis Mayfield sound, or for those who want to expand their listening experience beyon Mayfield's own albums, this is the perfect mix to begin ...

Listen here:

http://midnightsoulstice....m-records/

Playlist:

- The Impressions - Thin Line (Curtom)

- The Notations - Take is slow (Gemigo)

- Arnold Blair - Trying to get next to you (Gemigo)

- The Voices of East Harlem - Little People (Just Sunshine)

- Five Stairsteps & Cubie - Madame Mary (Curtom)

- Baby Huey - Mighty Mighty Children P. 1 (Curtom)

- Goliath – Roving Minstrel (Curtom)

- Curtis Mayfield - Beautiful Brother of mine (Curtom)

- Marvin Smith - You’re really something Sadie (Mayfield)

- The Stridells - Mix it up (Curtom)

- Notations - Superpeople (Gemigo)

- Jesse Anderson - Let me back in (Thomas)

- Natural Four - Count on Me (Curtom)

- The Voices of East Harlem - So Rare (Just Sunshine)

- The Impressions - We go back a Ways (Curtom)

- Barbara Mason – Give me your Love (Buddah)

- Curtis Mayfield - In your arms again (Shake it) (Curtom)

- Leroy Hutson - Could this be Love (Curtom)

- Billy Butler - Play my Music (Curtom)

- Hound Dog - Bumpin’ (Gemigo)

- Jesse Anderson – Mighty, Mighty (Thomas)

- Natural Four - Things will be better tomorrow (Curtom)

- The Voices of East Harlem - Amazing Love (Just Sunshine)

- Five Stairsteps & Cubie - Baby make me feel so good (Curtom)

- Mystique feat. Ralph Johnson - Feel you up (Curtom)

- Linda Clifford - I can’t let this good thing get away (RSO)

- The Impressions - Old before my time (Curtom)

- Natural Four - Love that really counts (Curtom)

- The Notations - There I go (Gemigo)

- The Impressions - That’s what Love will do (Curtom)

- Leroy Hutson - Love to hold you close (Curtom)

- Natural Four - Heaven right here on Earth (Curtom)

Very Cool! Looks like I'll be doing some heavy listening this weekend! I'll write back and give you my thoughts afterwards.

Curtis Mayfield, one of the greats.

I really have to recommend his Curtis! Live cd. It's an amazing recording and I believe it's from either 1971 or 1972.

His music later on got to be a little on the disco-y side, and not the really good kind, but albums like Sweet Exorcist (still an odd title), There's no Place Like America Today, and the soundtracks Let's Do It Again, and Sparkle, are fantastic.

And shout-out to Judd Apatow for using Curtis's "P.S. I Love You" in Superbad.

curtis mayfield is one of the baddest cats in the game. keep the love comin.

[Edited 6/19/10 12:43pm]

One of the most gifted musicians and songwriters of all time...his body of work is exquisite.

Choice of Colors is my favorite,

Down on the corner there's a platform stage

People prasie his pimpin sharp as razor blades

i have a curtis story:

i was about 8 and my mother, brother and i were flying back home from back east. my mom was seated next to a man who turned out to be curtis' road manager. they struck up a conversation and he invited us to a taping of the midnight special where curtis was performing.

wilson pickett was the host, and of course wolfgang jack was there, the natural four, a group curtis was producing, sang a song, and so did curtis (future shock was out at the time).

later he gave me and my brother his autograph, 'love and peace, curtis mayfield'. he was very nice.

but the thing i really remember was crazy ass wilson pickett. he kept flubbing his lines from the cards, so it was taking longer than it should have to tape a simple intro. they didn't have chairs in the studio, only cushions on the floor. i was sitting there in front when wilson took a tissue, wiped his forehead, and tossed and then kicked it at me. he thought it was funny that he did that. he was laughing, and i was like, 'what? no you didn't just kick your sweaty kleenex at me.'

crazy.

anyway, mad love for curtis. i have the superfly disc and sparkle, which he produced for aretha. we're a winner is great, great, great. makes me think of those optimistic, hopeful, post-civil rights days that i really feel blessed to have lived through even though i was very young.

kibbles said:

i have a curtis story:

i was about 8 and my mother, brother and i were flying back home from back east. my mom was seated next to a man who turned out to be curtis' road manager. they struck up a conversation and he invited us to a taping of the midnight special where curtis was performing.

wilson pickett was the host, and of course wolfgang jack was there, the natural four, a group curtis was producing, sang a song, and so did curtis (future shock was out at the time).

later he gave me and my brother his autograph, 'love and peace, curtis mayfield'. he was very nice.

but the thing i really remember was crazy ass wilson pickett. he kept flubbing his lines from the cards, so it was taking longer than it should have to tape a simple intro. they didn't have chairs in the studio, only cushions on the floor. i was sitting there in front when wilson took a tissue, wiped his forehead, and tossed and then kicked it at me. he thought it was funny that he did that. he was laughing, and i was like, 'what? no you didn't just kick your sweaty kleenex at me.'

crazy.

anyway, mad love for curtis. i have the superfly disc and sparkle, which he produced for aretha. we're a winner is great, great, great. makes me think of those optimistic, hopeful, post-civil rights days that i really feel blessed to have lived through even though i was very young.

I love Wilson Pickett but that sounds like somehing he would do. If "Future Shock" was new it must have been around 1973 and I think that was about the time that Wilson's career started to go south so maybe he was cranky about it?

rialb said:

kibbles said:

i have a curtis story:

i was about 8 and my mother, brother and i were flying back home from back east. my mom was seated next to a man who turned out to be curtis' road manager. they struck up a conversation and he invited us to a taping of the midnight special where curtis was performing.

wilson pickett was the host, and of course wolfgang jack was there, the natural four, a group curtis was producing, sang a song, and so did curtis (future shock was out at the time).

later he gave me and my brother his autograph, 'love and peace, curtis mayfield'. he was very nice.

but the thing i really remember was crazy ass wilson pickett. he kept flubbing his lines from the cards, so it was taking longer than it should have to tape a simple intro. they didn't have chairs in the studio, only cushions on the floor. i was sitting there in front when wilson took a tissue, wiped his forehead, and tossed and then kicked it at me. he thought it was funny that he did that. he was laughing, and i was like, 'what? no you didn't just kick your sweaty kleenex at me.'

crazy.

anyway, mad love for curtis. i have the superfly disc and sparkle, which he produced for aretha. we're a winner is great, great, great. makes me think of those optimistic, hopeful, post-civil rights days that i really feel blessed to have lived through even though i was very young.

I love Wilson Pickett but that sounds like somehing he would do. If "Future Shock" was new it must have been around 1973 and I think that was about the time that Wilson's career started to go south so maybe he was cranky about it?

i guess. but why take it out on me? (i shoulda got up and kicked his ass... )