While Curtis Mayfield may not have had the commercial success of other more mainstream Soul artists, such as those featured on Motown Records, there is no question that he was a massively influential musician. Previously a member of The Impressions (who had success in the late 1950s into the 1960s with hits like “For Your Precious Love” in 1958, “Gypsy Woman” in 1961, and “It’s All Right” in 1963), Mayfield was ready to start a new chapter in his life in 1970 when he parted ways with the group. Stepping away as a result of fatigue from touring, Mayfield, by and large, yearned to explore different facets of songwriting outside the group. Doing just that, he quickly went to work as a seasoned 28-year-old, launched his own label, Curtom Records, and released his solo debut album, Curtis, in September of 1970.
An album written and produced by Mayfield, it was a stunning revelation to listeners at the time, who heard a completely different side of the artist outside The Impressions. With The Impressions, Mayfield had taken on a significant role as guitarist and lead vocalist following the departure of Jerry Butler in 1960. Still, he had never explored sound or different genres as much as he did with his solo work. On display with Curtis, this album was an open hybrid of Soul, R&B, Funk, and Psychedelic textures. Also, expanding on Mayfield’s exploration of social topics in his lyrics (which became more visible with The Impressions, with songs like 1967’s “We’re a Winner”), the album Curtis was strikingly potent in so many ways.
Released in September 1970, Curtis became a massive success for Mayfield, topping the Billboard Black Albums chart for five straight weeks and reaching #19 on the Pop Albums chart in the USA. More a body of work than a single driven record, while singles such as “(Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below, We’re All Going to Go” and “Move On Up” are remembered and found success, they are only part of the story.
All in all, Mayfield’s Curtis is an album that sincerely taps into a human emotion that you can connect with no matter your racial background. Certainly emphasizing African-American pride, the overall message Mayfield expresses in the songs is one of unity and issuing a warning against division, while driving home the importance of love and being gracious. Immensely powerful, there is also a rawer sound amidst Mayfield’s Curtis that was not heard on prior Impressions’ material or from other Soul artists at the time. Arguably the leader of a new type of Soul music that was more unfiltered in the mid to late ‘70s, Curtis is an album that deserves every bit of praise ever given.
Going on to attain gold status, Curtis also opened the floodgates to an extensive solo career that included more than a dozen studio albums and live albums, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Sadly, passing away in 1999 at only 57 years of age, nine years after a tragic onstage accident which left him paralyzed from the neck down, no one should ever forget Curtis Mayfield, and to ensure that, perhaps you start looking back to 55 years to 1970’s Curtis.
Giving it a chance, Rhino Records has opted to bring Curtis out of the vault and reissue it on vinyl as part of their 2025 Record Store Day Black Friday exclusive schedule on November 28th. Celebrating the 55th anniversary of the album, the new release is part of the Rhino Reserve line series. It is taken directly from the original analog studio tapes by esteemed Audio Engineer Chris Bellman. Pressed to a solid 180-gram black wax, it both looks and sounds sensational. Full of rich instrumental texture and Curtis Mayfield’s smooth, yet gentle singing, you cannot help but be taken in with every song, including “We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue,” “Miss Black America,” and the extended edition of “Move On Up.”
Limited to 2,700 copies, this 55th anniversary vinyl pressing of Curtis is purely about the music, making it a must-have for any Soul music lover. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Rhino’s 2025 vinyl pressing of Curtis 5 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment