Curtis

---

---

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-05-16 rating:
You really should own this.
There aren't really that many absolutely faultless records in the history of pop music: 'Curtis' is one of them, with the great man at the height of his musical and lyrical prowess, mixing heavy social comment with beatiful love songs, cutting-edge funk arrangements with gospel influences. After you've bought this record you'll be seriously angry with yourself about all the years you didn't own it. I certainly was.

---

review by: waggstar date: 2007-04-28 rating:
Can I really use the word 'Genius'?
After all if you read many reviews within this site, it won't be long at all before you see that word used. And used and used and used...

But there are a handful of people for whom the monicker is entirely suitable. In fact if there was an even higher superlative than that to bestow upon an artist then Curtis Mayfield is one of the few whom it should be used to describe.

Blazing a trail for so many who were greatful to follow him - to walk through the doors that he opened - Curtis dared to talk about the social issues of the day - particularly those affecting black people in America. But the beauty of this album is that the music does not suffer because of it - in fact if you wanted to be ignorant enough you could love this album without knowing anything of the message Curtis was trying to get across, simply because the songs are so good.

Personal highlights include the swiring carousel-like 'Makings Of You' which is indicative of Curtis's unique approach to making soul music - all strange time signiatures, tubas, harps, and various other instruments you wouldn't necessarily expect to associate with genre, the Beautiful 'We The People' and of course the astonishing album version of 'Move On Up', which pounds on for over seven minutes and still makes you want to re-start the track as soon as it's over.

To finish, I can only use another very over-used word to describe this wonderful - classic.

---

review by: staxasoul date: 2007-03-16 rating:
The album that made him a star
This album takes as it's inspiration the social and political issues of it's era. During his time with the Impressions, Curtis Mayfield had long supported the Civil Rights movement, and on his first solo album he gives full rein to his sense of injustice at the way America was in the 60's. This album was released in 1970.

That does not mean the message overwhelms the music - far from it. Mayfield had one of the most inventive approaches to Soul, and that is on display in all it's glory on "Curtis". Starting with a spoken intro over a conga driven groove, "Don't Worry..." challenges you up front with racial insults, before settling into it's funky stride. Slower in tempo, but equally hard hitting, "The Other Side of Town" chronicles ghetto life and these show Mayfield at his best, both musically and socially.

There's more Funk on "Move On Up", a well known track, here in it's full 7 minute form, and there are more positive messages on "....Darker than Blue" and "Miss Black America". Turning to matters of the heart, the mid tempo "Give It Up" regrets the passing of love, while "The Makings Of You" has Curtis celebrating the love of his life.

This expanded edition also includes bonus tracks which are worthwhile for the way they give a picture of how Curtis developed his music. There are demo versions of tracks on the original "Curtis", tracks which would appear on later albums in their finished forms (Underground) and Ghetto Child later became "Little Child Running Wild" on "Superfly"

Curtis Mayfield was a musical genius, and although his later output would be uneven, this is one of at least 4 essential albums from the 70's that he wrote produced and performed. It is well worth your time and money.

---

review by: date: 2006-03-16 rating:
Buy this record.
You really should own this record. From the unstoppable rumbling bass opening of (Dont worry),this album is consistently excellent. Cutting lyrics that go to the heart of African-American socio-political relations, and some of the funkiest, inspiring and innovative arrangements you will hear.
Just buy it and enjoy.


review by: date: 2005-09-29 rating:
Heavyweight Champion
Curtis' first solo album. Funk, blistering polemic and sweetness abound. As writer, producer and singer his only equals are James Brown and Stevie Wonder.

---

Similar products

Roots: Remastered
Superfly: Original Soundtrack
What's Going On
There's No Place Like America Today
Hot Buttered Soul

---

Similar categories

Music . Special Features . Bargain CDs
Music . Styles . Pop . General AAS
Music . Styles . Dance & Electronic . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . R&B and Soul . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . R&B and Soul . Funk
Music . Styles . R&B and Soul . Soul
Music . Styles . R&B and Soul . General AAS
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . CD . CD Album

---