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Features Disc of the day
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis
(Curtom, 1970)
40 years ago, Chicago's soul visionary is still talking loud and clear.
During his leadership of The Impressions, Curtis Mayfield's lyrics had exuded a strong moral conscience and deep understanding of American society. His final album with the group, 1969's The Young Mods' Forgotten Story had unveiled the imperishable Choice Of Colors (from 01.09) and Mighty Mighty (Spade & Whitey), but great as they were, they only hinted at the intelligence and compassion that would run through the eight tracks of Curtis, from which Mayfield would emerge as the true successor to the Sam Cooke of A Change Is Gonna Come.
Pre-dating the conscience-stirring Motown albums of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, a well-argued flow of ideas moves through Curtis like the reasoning of a philosopher. Over a portentous fuzz bass riff, the album opens with a brief hubbub and a woman's voice advising us to read the Book Of Revelations. Then Mayfield's brusque enumeration of racial epithets announces the dark, conga-clattering groove of (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below, We're All Going To Go. From that grim portent of Armageddon, Mayfield proceeds to light the path to hope, warns of the traps and pitfalls, including the dangers of ghettoism (on The Other Side Of Town), but insists the solution is in our hands. His messages of brotherly love, understanding and togetherness come to potent fruition on the loose-limbed but painfully wise We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue and his most famous anthem of hope, Move On Up.
It's a message that still inspires, and music that still thrills, with full yet uncluttered arrangements punctuated with horn fanfares - a trademark of his Impressions days - driving percussion batteries and swirling strings. Even now, 40 years on, a lyrical surprise - "It is my theory, that the two of us are somewhat leery" (Give It Up) - or unexpected piece of instrumental decoration (like Wild And Free's ripples of harp) can catch one unawares. In 1970 Curtis announced a soul master coming into his time; in 2010, with its author ten years gone and a black man in the White House, it speaks louder than bombs: "Pardon me brother / I know we've come a long long way / but let us not be so satisfied / For tomorrow can be an even brighter day".
Geoff Brown
Posted by Ross_Bennett at 6:00 AM GMT 19/02/2010
Further Listening
The Impressions – This Is My Country (Curtom, 1968)
Tyrone Davis – Turn Back The Hands Of Time (Dakar/Brunswick, 1970)
The Chi-Lites – (For God’s Sake) Give More Power To The People (MCA, 1971)
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masterpiece
Posted by Pat Carty at 12:07 PM GMT 19/02/2010 Report Abuse
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Just realised this is one bit of Curtis that is inexplicably missing from my collection - time to get on they webs!
For those new to the genius of the man, I'd implore you to get your hands on this, Roots, Short Eyes, Sweet Exorcist, Super-Fly.... the list goes on!
What a body of work.
Posted by Psodal at 1:31 PM GMT 19/02/2010 Report Abuse
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This is a superb album as are many others from Curtis including Roots, Super Fly, Curtis/Live!, Back To The World, Sweet Exorcist and There's No Place Like America Today. This Is My Country, The Young Mods' Forgotten Story and Keep On Pushing by The Impressions are also pretty damn essential. A true musical genius!
I think Curtis' last album with The Impressions was actually Check Out Your Mind!
Posted by Filthy McNasty at 11:14 PM GMT 19/02/2010 Report Abuse
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