Curtis Mayfield

 

Artist:   Curtis Mayfield  

Birth Name:  Curtis Lee Mayfield

Born:  June 3, 1942.  Chicago, Illinois, USA

Died:  December 26, 1999 (Aged 57).  Rosewell, Georgia, USA

Genre:  Soul, R&B, Funk, Progressive Soul, Gospel, Psychedelic Soul, Chicago Soul, Uptown Soul, Smooth Soul

Occupation:  Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, Record Producer

Instruments:  Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Keyboards

Curtis Mayfield was an American Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist and Record Producer, and one of the most influential musicians behind Soul and Politically Conscious African-American Music.  He first achieved success and recognition with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group The Impressions during the civil rights movement of the late 1950s and 1960s, and later worked as a Solo Artist.  He started his musical career in a Gospel Choir, he joined the Vocal Group The Impressions.  He wrote "People Get Ready" for The Impressions, which was ranked at No. 24 on Rolling Stone's List of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.  After leaving The Impressions in 1970 in the pursuit of a Solo career, he released several albums, including the Soundtrack for the Blaxploitation film Super Fly in 1972.  The album was ranked at No. 72 on Rolling Stone's List of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Title:   Curtis 50th Anniversary (ROG Deluxe Limited Edition)  (2021)

Genre:  Soul, R&B, Funk, Progressive Soul, Gospel, Psychedelic Soul, Chicago Soul, Uptown Soul, Smooth Soul

Label:  Rhino Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

LP 1:

Side A:

 1.  (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Gonna Go  (7:46)

 2.  The Other Side Of Town  (4:00)

 3.  The Making Of You  (3:40)

 4.  We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue  (6:10)

Side B:

 1.  Move On Up (Extended Version)  (8:54)

 2.  Miss Black America  (2:55)

 3.  Wild And Free  (3:12)

 4.  Give It Up  (3:45)

LP 2:

Side C:

 

 1.  Power To The People (Mono Demo)  (2:47)

 2.  Underground (Mono Demo)  (3:11)

 3.  Ghetto Child (Demo)  (5:10)

 4.  Readings In Astrology (Demo)  (3:31)

 5.  Suffer  (2:31)

Side D:

 1.  Mill Black America (Demo)  (2:22)

 2.  The Makings Of You (Backing Track-Take 32)  (4:35)

 3.  (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell  Below We're All Gonna Go (Backing Track-Tae 1 & 2)  (9:34)

 4.  (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell  Below We're All Gonna Go  (Mono Single Version)  (3:26)

Personnel:

Curtis Mayfield:  Vocals

Pat Ferreri:   Guitar

Phil Upchurch:  Guitar

Johnny Ross:  Guitar, Organ, Bass

Donald Simmons:  Drums

Robert Sims:  Drums

Henry Gibson:  Conga, Bongo, Percussion, Drums

John Howell:  Trumpet

Bobby Lewis:  Trumpet

Cliff Davis:  Saxophone

Lenard Druss:  Saxophone, Flute

Ronald Kolber:   Baritone Saxophone

Loren Binford:  Trombone

Elliott Golub:  Violin

Sol Bobrow:   Violin

Curtis is the debut album by  Curtis Mayfield, originally released on September 1970, by Curtom Records, remastered and reissued on July 16, 2021 by Rhino Records. For 50th Anniversary Deluxe Limited Edition, includes Bonus Demos Alternate Tracks, also included a Custom Curtis Turntable Mat.