Curtis Mayfield | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Perhaps because he didnt cross over to the pop audience as heavily as Motowns stars, it may be that the scope of Curtis Mayfields talents and contributions have yet to be fully recognized. Judged merely by his records alone, the mans legacy is enormous. As the leader of the Impressions, he recorded some of the finest soul vocal group music of the 1960s. As a solo artist in the 1970s, he helped pioneer funk and helped introduce hard-hitting urban commentary into soul music. "Gypsy Woman," "Its All Right," "People Get Ready," "Freddies Dead," and "Super Fly" are merely the most famous of his many hit records. But Curtis Mayfield wasnt just a singer. He wrote most of his material at a time when that was not the norm for soul performers. He was among the first -- if not the very first -- to speak openly about African-American pride and community struggle in his compositions. As a songwriter and a producer, he was a key architect of Chicago soul, penning material and working on sessions by notable Windy City soulsters like Gene Chandler, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, and Billy Butler. In this sense, he can be compared to Smokey Robinson, who also managed to find time to write and produce many classics for other soul stars. Mayfield was also an excellent guitarist, and his rolling, Latin-influenced lines were highlights of the Impressions recordings in the 60s. During the next decade, he would toughen up his guitar work and production, incorporating some of the best features of psychedelic rock and funk. Mayfield began his career as an associate of Jerry Butler, with whom he formed the Impressions in the late 50s. After the Impressions had a big hit in 1958 with "For Your Precious Love," Butler, who had sung lead on the record, split to start a solo career. Mayfield, while keeping the Impressions together, continued to write for and tour with Butler before the Impressions got their first Top 20 hit in 1961, "Gypsy Woman." Mayfield was heavily steeped in gospel music before he entered the pop arena, and gospel, as well as doo wop, influences would figure prominently in most of his 60s work. Mayfield wasnt a staunch traditionalist, however. He and the Impressions may have often worked the call-and-response gospel style, but his songs (romantic and otherwise) were often veiled or unveiled messages of black pride, reflecting the increased confidence and self-determination of the African-American community. Musically he was an innovator as well, using arrangements that employed the punchy, blaring horns and Latin-influenced rhythms that came to be trademark flourishes of Chicago soul. As the staff producer for the OKeh label, Mayfield was also instrumental in lending his talents to the work of other Chi-town soul singers who went on to national success. With Mayfield singing lead and playing guitar, the Impressions had 14 Top 40 hits in the 1960s (five made the Top 20 in 1964 alone), and released some above-average albums during that period as well. Given Mayfields prodigious talents, it was perhaps inevitable that he would eventually leave the Impressions to begin a solo career, as he did in 1970. His first few singles boasted a harder, more funk-driven sound; singles like "(Dont Worry) If Theres a Hell Below, Were All Gonna Go" found him confronting ghetto life with a realism that had rarely been heard on record. He really didnt hit his artistic or commercial stride as a solo artist, though, until Super Fly, his soundtrack to a 1972 blaxploitation film. Drug deals, ghetto shootings, the death of young black men before their time: all were described in penetrating detail. Yet Mayfields irrepressible falsetto vocals, uplifting melodies, and fabulous funk pop arrangements gave the oft-moralizing material a graceful strength that few others could have achieved. For all the glory of his past work, Superfly stands as his crowning achievement, not to mention a much-needed counterpoint to the sensationalistic portrayals of the film itself. At this point Mayfield, along with Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, was the foremost exponent of a new level of compelling auteurism in soul. His failure to maintain the standards of Super Fly qualifies as one of the great disappointments in the history of black popular music. Perhaps hed simply reached his peak after a long climb, but the rest of his 70s work didnt match the musical brilliance and lyrical subtleties of Super Fly, although he had a few large R&B; hits in a much more conventional vein, such as "Kung Fu," "So in Love," and "Only You Babe." Mayfield had a couple of hits in the early 80s, but the decade generally found his commercial fortunes in a steady downward spiral, despite some intermittent albums. On August 14, 1990, he became paralyzed from the neck down when a lighting rig fell on top of him at a concert in Brooklyn, NY. In the mid-90s, a couple of tribute albums consisting of Mayfield covers appeared, with contributions by such superstars as Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, and Gladys Knight. Though no substitute for the man himself, these tributes served as an indication of the enormous regard in which Mayfield was still held by his peers. He died December 26, 1999 at the age of 57. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 45 Title: Curtis Released: 1970-09 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:17:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 2 The Other Side of Town (04:03) 3 The Makings of You (03:44) 4 We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue (06:05) 5 Move On Up (08:54) 6 Miss Black America (02:59) 7 Wild and Free (03:17) 8 Give It Up (03:44) 9 Power to the People (demo) (02:47) 10 The Underground (demo) (03:13) 11 Ghetto Child (demo) (05:10) 12 Readings in Astrology (demo) (03:31) 13 Suffer (demo) (02:31) 14 Miss Black America (demo) (02:22) 15 The Makings of You (backing tracks, take 32) (04:35) 16 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (backing tracks, takes 1 & 2) (09:34) 17 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (03:28) |
| Curtis : Allmusic album Review : The first solo album by the former leader of the Impressions, Curtis represented a musical apotheosis for Curtis Mayfield -- indeed, it was practically the "Sgt. Peppers" album of 70s soul, helping with its content and its success to open the whole genre to much bigger, richer musical canvases than artists had previously worked with. All of Mayfields years of experience of life, music, and people were pulled together into a rich, powerful, topical musical statement that reflected not only the most up-to-date soul sounds of its period, finely produced by Mayfield himself, and the immediacy of the times and their political and social concerns, but also embraced the most elegant R&B sounds of the past. As a producer, Mayfield embraced the most progressive soul sounds of the era, stretching them out compellingly on numbers like "Move on Up," but he also drew on orchestral sounds (especially harps), to achieve some striking musical timbres (check out "Wild and Free"), and wove all of these influences, plus the topical nature of the songs, into a neat, amazingly lean whole. There was only one hit single off of this record, "(Dont Worry) If Theres a Hell Down Below Were All Going to Go," which made number three, but the album as a whole was a single entity and really had to be heard that way. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 45 Title: Roots Released: 1971-10 Tracks: 7 Duration: 38:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Get Down (05:46) 2 Keep On Keeping On (05:08) 3 Underground (05:17) 4 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 5 Beautiful Brother of Mine (07:25) 6 Now You’re Gone (06:48) 7 Love to Keep You in My Mind (03:45) |
| Roots : Allmusic album Review : Roots is Curtis Mayfields visionary album, a landmark creation every bit as compelling and far-reaching in its musical and extra-musical goals as Marvin Gayes contemporary Whats Goin On. Opening on the hit "Get Down," the album soars on some of the sweetest and most eloquent -- yet driving -- soul sounds heard up to that time. Mayfields growing musical ambitions, first manifested on the Curtis album, and his more sophisticated political sensibilities, presented with a lot of raw power on Curtis Live!, are pulled together here in a new, richer studio language, embodied in extended song structures ("Underground"), idealistic yet lyrically dazzling anthems ("We Got to Have Peace," "Keep On Keeping On," and, best of all, the soaring "Beautiful Brother of Mine"), and impassioned blues ("Now Youre Gone"). The music is even bolder than the material on the Curtis album, with Mayfield expanding his instrumental range to the level of a veritable soul orchestra; and the recording is better realized, as Mayfield, with that album and a tour behind him, shows a degree of confidence that only a handful of soul artists of this era could have mustered. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 45 Title: His Early Years With the Impressions Released: 1973 Tracks: 20 Duration: 51:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Gypsy Woman (02:20) 2 Amen (03:25) 3 It’s All Right (02:50) 4 Womans Got Soul (02:18) 5 We’re Rolling On (02:15) 6 Keep on Pushing (02:33) 7 Never Let Me Go (02:30) 8 Grow Closer Together (02:12) 9 You Must Believe Me (02:35) 10 Sad, Sad Girl and Boy (02:40) 1 I’m So Proud (02:49) 2 Talking About My Baby (02:31) 3 I’m the One Who Loves You (02:28) 4 Ridin’ High (02:25) 5 Emotions (02:47) 6 People Get Ready (02:39) 7 Can’t Work No Longer (02:21) 8 Sometimes I Wonder (02:59) 9 Get Up and Move (02:14) 10 We’re a Winner (02:24) |
 | Album: 4 of 45 Title: Back to the World Released: 1973-05 Tracks: 7 Duration: 36:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Back to the World (06:48) 2 Future Shock (05:18) 3 Right on for the Darkness (07:29) 4 Future Song (Love a Good Woman, Love a Good Man) (05:00) 5 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:53) 6 Can’t Say Nothin’ (05:15) 7 Keep on Trippin’ (03:15) |
| Back to the World : Allmusic album Review : Back to the World, the first album Curtis Mayfield recorded and released after hitting number one with the intense inner-city vignette Superfly, returned him to a steady balance of optimism for the future and direct social commentary regarding the problems of his people. The lead single, "Future Shock," was inspired by Alvin Tofflers 1970 book of the same name, which warned readers that industrial society was changing so radically that environmental and social problems could be endemic for decades. The track tapped into the same grooves and brass heard on Superfly (perhaps overly so), but said more about the world around ("We got to stop all men, from messing up the land/When wont we understand, this is our last and only chance?"). The title track was very upbeat and positive, as were the refreshing "If I Were Only a Child Again" and "Future Song (Love a Good Woman, Love a Good Man)." With no hit singles to even approach the three high performers from Superfly, though, Back to the World was a distinct disappointment; the music wasnt as powerful as fans were expecting, and though the songs were up to Mayfields usual high standards, there were many similarities (musically and thematically) to material from each of his proper solo albums. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 45 Title: Got to Find a Way Released: 1974 Tracks: 6 Duration: 33:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love Me (Right in the Pocket) (07:18) 2 So You Don’t Love Me (05:49) 3 A Prayer (04:03) 4 Mother’s Son (06:04) 5 Cannot Find a Way (07:07) 6 Ain’t No Love Lost (03:25) |
| Got to Find a Way : Allmusic album Review : Curtis Mayfield continued his run of excellent albums in the 70s with Got to Find a Way. This album had more love songs than some of his earlier material, although he didnt tone down his searing attacks on American injustice and hypocrisy. His vocals continued to be alternately poignant, urgent, and accusatory, while his lyrics, production, and arrangements were once again magnificent. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 45 Title: Sweet Exorcist Released: 1974 Tracks: 7 Duration: 32:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Aint Got Time (05:12) 2 Sweet Exorcist (03:52) 3 To Be Invisible (04:12) 4 Power to the People (03:25) 5 Kung Fu (06:14) 6 Suffer (04:11) 7 Make Me Believe in You (05:33) |
| Sweet Exorcist : Allmusic album Review : Curtis Mayfield hit a stride during the 70s that was unparalleled among R&B/soul performers from an album standpoint. He was writing, producing, arranging, and performing on great album after great album, then distributing them on his own label as well. This one included the big hit "Kung Fu," plus the title song, and once more perfectly blended rigorous message tracks and steamy love songs. Sadly, it hasnt been reissued on CD and isnt on the list to be at this time. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 45 Title: Theres No Place Like America Today Released: 1975 Tracks: 7 Duration: 35:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Billy Jack (06:06) 2 When Seasons Change (05:23) 3 So in Love (05:13) 4 Jesus (06:10) 5 Blue Monday People (04:47) 6 Hard Times (03:43) 7 Love to the People (04:03) |
| There's No Place Like America Today : Allmusic album Review : The title is intended in an ironic way, as illustrated not only by the cover -- a grim parody of late-40s/early-50s advertising imagery depicting white versus black social reality -- but the grim yet utterly catchy and haunting opening number, "Billy Jack." A song about gun violence that was years ahead of its time, its scored to an incisive horn arrangement by Richard Tufo. "When Seasons Change" is a beautifully wrought account of the miseries of urban life that contains elements of both gospel and contemporary soul. The albums one big song, "So in Love," which made number 67 on the pop charts but was a Top Ten soul hit, is only the prettiest of a string of exquisite tracks on the album, including "Blue Monday People" and "Jesus" and the soaring finale, "Love to the People," broken up by the harder-edged "Hard Times." The album doesnt really have as clearly delineated a body of songs as Mayfields earlier topical releases, but its in the same league with his other work of the period and represents him near his prime as a composer. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 45 Title: Give, Get, Take and Have Released: 1976 Tracks: 8 Duration: 33:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 In Your Arms Again (Shake It) (04:27) 2 This Love Is Sweet (03:11) 3 P.S. I Love You (04:00) 4 Party Night (03:49) 5 Get a Little Bit (Give, Get, Take and Have) (03:36) 6 Soul Music (04:01) 7 Only You Babe (04:22) 8 Mr. Welfare Man (05:35) |
| Give, Get, Take and Have : Allmusic album Review : Less sociopolitical than previous efforts, Give Get Take Have offers "Mr. Welfare Man" as its sole attempt to enlighten and enhance. Mayfield was obviously experiencing the joys of new love when he cut "Only You Babe" and "This Love Is Sweet," and the tear-jerking numbers "In Your Arms Again" and "Party Night." His aching falsetto coos and purrs, but sounds weakened on this LP. Overall, the album falls short of Mayfields former releases, but even great artists dont always achieve their usual high standards. This was originally released on Curtom Records in the mid-70s. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 45 Title: Never Say You Cant Survive Released: 1977 Tracks: 8 Duration: 33:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Show Me Love (05:16) 2 Just Want to Be With You (03:12) 3 When Were Alone (05:27) 4 Never Say You Cant Survive (03:20) 5 I’m Gonna Win Your Love (04:43) 6 All Night Long (04:15) 7 When You Used to Be Mine (03:41) 8 Sparkle (04:01) |
| Never Say You Can't Survive : Allmusic album Review : Never Say You Cant Survive was the last Curtis Mayfield album done in a pure soul vein for the next three years -- its style and sound place it in a direct continuity with the rest of his output right back to 1958. The singing on love songs such as "Show Me Love," "Just Want to Be With You," and "When Were Alone" is among the most achingly lyrical and passionate of his career. The title track boasts ravishing backup singing by Kitty & the Haywoods (who also perform outstandingly on "Im Gonna Win Your Love") and a beautiful arrangement by James Mack. The albums final track, "Sparkle" (written for Sam OSteens movie of the same name, starring Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, and Lonette McKee), gets one of three distinct treatments that the song ever received (the others from the soundtrack and Aretha Franklins version). | ||
 | Album: 10 of 45 Title: Do It All Night Released: 1978 Tracks: 6 Duration: 35:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Do It All Night (08:21) 2 No Goodbyes (07:42) 3 Party, Party (07:55) 4 Keeps Me Loving You (03:27) 5 In Love, in Love, in Love (04:22) 6 You Are, You Are (03:39) |
| Do It All Night : Allmusic album Review : The last Curtis Mayfield album distributed by Warner Bros., during Curtom Records declining years of 1977-1978, was a maddening album, a complete break in style as Mayfield moved into a pure disco vein. It was his most successful album in three years, but it alienated many longtime fans because he deliberately dumbed down his writing -- he traded his core audience, who couldnt abide the album, for a slightly larger disco audience that had previously eluded him, painting himself into an artistic and career corner. The title track was indicative of the artistic nadir to which Mayfield had to descend to find where the mass audience had gone, a number without an ounce of poetry that he wouldnt have wasted his time with in the studio, much less completed or released, in years past; the beat and the arrangements rather overwhelm anything that Mayfield is saying or singing throughout this album. The closest one gets to the old Curtis Mayfield sound, which is to say, to Curtis Mayfield at all, is "In Love, In Love, In Love," a relatively subdued and soulful number which would have been a secondary track on almost any album that preceded this one, and it is practically lost here, sandwiched in between the commercial dance numbers "Keeps Me Loving You" and "You Are, You Are." Mayfield would adapt his style better to the needs of disco with Heartbeat, his next album. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 45 Title: Heartbeat Released: 1979 Tracks: 8 Duration: 44:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tell Me, Tell Me (How Ya Like to Be Loved) (06:20) 2 What Is My Woman For? (07:15) 3 Between You Baby and Me (04:40) 4 Victory (03:15) 5 Over the Hump (05:14) 6 You Better Stop (06:50) 7 You’re So Good to Me (06:54) 8 Heartbeat (04:23) |
 | Album: 12 of 45 Title: Something to Believe In Released: 1980 Tracks: 7 Duration: 36:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love Me, Love Me Now (07:56) 2 Never Let Me Go (03:07) 3 Tripping Out (06:59) 4 People Never Give Up (05:50) 5 It’s Alright (03:56) 6 Something to Believe In (04:44) 7 Never Stop Loving Me (03:31) |
| Something to Believe In : Allmusic album Review : A marvelous duet album between Linda Clifford, a disco diva before the term was commonly used, and Chicago soul vocalist/producer/performer/composer Curtis Mayfield. The album included two chart hits in "I Just Wanna Wanna" and "Loves Sweet Sensation." It also convinced any doubters that Clifford could sing earnest, straight soul as well as pop and disco. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 45 Title: The Right Combination Released: 1980 Tracks: 7 Duration: 32:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rock You to Your Socks (04:36) 2 The Right Combination (04:43) 3 I’m So Proud (03:38) 4 Ain’t No Love Lost (04:25) 5 It’s Lovin’ Time (Your Baby’s Home) (06:20) 6 Love’s Sweet Sensation (03:50) 7 Between You Baby and Me (04:38) |
| The Right Combination : Allmusic album Review : A marvelous duet album between Linda Clifford, a disco diva before the term was commonly used, and Chicago soul vocalist/producer/performer/composer Curtis Mayfield. The album included two chart hits in "I Just Wanna Wanna" and "Loves Sweet Sensation." It also convinced any doubters that Clifford could sing earnest, straight soul as well as pop and disco. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 45 Title: Love Is the Place Released: 1981 Tracks: 9 Duration: 39:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 She Don’t Let Nobody (But Me) (04:13) 2 Toot an’ Toot an’ Toot (04:07) 3 Babydoll (05:31) 4 Love Is the Place (05:02) 5 Just Ease My Mind (04:26) 6 You Mean Everything to Me (04:51) 7 You Get All My Love (03:39) 8 Come Free Your People (04:15) 9 She Don’t Let Nobody (But Me) (03:55) |
| Love Is the Place : Allmusic album Review : A CD reissue of an old Mayfield platter that didnt garner as much interest as some of his other solo releases, and for good reason: Mayfield was experimenting with his sound. After the first three songs nothing else really works until the last cut: "Come Free Your People," one of Mayfields best albeit little-known message songs. The most engaging of the eight tunes are the reggae-influenced "She Dont Love Nobody Else," "Toot an Toot an Toot," and the lilting "Baby Doll." | ||
 | Album: 15 of 45 Title: Honesty Released: 1983 Tracks: 7 Duration: 33:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Hey Baby (Give It All to Me) (04:45) 2 Still Within Your Heart (04:26) 3 Dirty Laundry (04:07) 4 Nobody but You (04:43) 5 If You Need Me (05:08) 6 What You Gawn Do? (05:26) 7 Summer Hot (05:13) |
| Honesty : Allmusic album Review : Unlike Mayfields more well-known work in the 1970s, his 1980s material is more soulful than funky. Songs like "Hey Baby (Give It All to Me)" and "Still Within Your Heart" are missing the hard-hitting urban commentary and focus instead on a romantic vibe similar to love songs by Al Green, Barry White, and Marvin Gaye. No clunkers here, but "Dirty Laundry" is an outstanding track, and one of Mayfields best during the decade. Honesty is a soft, sensual album that transports the listener back to the days of the Impressions more than those of Superfly. [In 2000, Boardwalk re-released this underrated album.] | ||
 | Album: 16 of 45 Title: We Come in Peace With a Message of Love Released: 1985 Tracks: 7 Duration: 37:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 We Come in Peace (08:36) 2 Breakin in the Streets (05:42) 3 Baby Its You (05:53) 4 Body Guard (04:49) 5 This Love Is True (03:26) 6 Everybody Needs a Friend (04:51) 7 We Gotta Have Peace (04:42) |
 | Album: 17 of 45 Title: Take It to the Streets Released: 1990 Tracks: 8 Duration: 39:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Homeless (07:33) 2 Got to Be Real (04:50) 3 Do Be Down (04:08) 4 Who Was That Lady (04:54) 5 On and On (03:43) 6 Hes a Fly Guy (05:00) 7 Dont Push (04:26) 8 I Mo Git U Sucka (05:01) |
| Take It to the Streets : Allmusic album Review : In the 1980s and 90s, some soul veterans turned to high-tech urban contemporary sounds in an effort to appeal to black radio. Curtis Mayfield, however, continued to deliver rewarding albums by remaining true to himself and sticking with the type of classic soul approach that put him on the map. Take It to the Streets falls short of the unmitigated excellence of Superfly or Sweet Exorcist, but is a respectable effort demonstrating that he could still pack a punch as a vocalist, composer, and producer. Theres much to savor and admire here, including "Homeless" (which makes it clear that Mayfield hadnt lost his touch when it came to biting sociopolitical commentary), "Hes a Fly Guy," the charismatic "Who Was That Lady," and an engaging remake of "On and On" (a gem he wrote for Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1973). With the re-emergence of hard-hitting blaxploitation films in the late 80s, the gritty imagery of "Im Gonna Get You Sucka" and the haunting "Hes a Fly Guy" proved quite timely. While this material could have used some horns, Mayfield generally employs technology in a soulful way -- employing "real instruments" along with keyboards and drum machines, and never letting his production sound stiff, unnatural, or forced. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 45 Title: Of All Time: Classic Collection Released: 1990-10-17 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:19:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 2 Dirty Laundry (04:07) 3 Move On Up (08:54) 4 Only You Babe (03:33) 5 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) 6 She Don’t Let Nobody (But Me) (04:13) 7 So in Love (05:13) 8 Tripping Out (03:53) 9 Do Be Down (04:08) 10 You Are, You Are (03:39) 11 This Year (03:48) 12 Between You Baby and Me (03:56) 13 Ain’t No Love Lost (03:12) 14 Hard Times (03:59) 15 Tomorrow Night for Sure (04:35) 16 We People Who Are Darker Than Blue (09:03) |
| Of All Time: Classic Collection : Allmusic album Review : This anthology spotlights Curtis Mayfields biggest hits as a solo star since 1970. It includes his first hit as a lead artist, "(Dont Worry) If Theres a Hell Below Were All Gonna Go," plus "Superfly," "Freddies Dead," "So in Love," and many other classics recorded for his Curtom label. Mayfield penned many masterful sociopolitical and protest tunes, but could also write poignant, expressive love songs. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 45 Title: A Man Like Curtis: The Best of Curtis Mayfield Released: 1992 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:10:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Move on Up (03:46) 2 Superfly (03:53) 3 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Gonna Go (07:04) 4 You Are, You Are (03:39) 5 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 6 Never Stop Loving Me (03:31) 7 Tripping Out (03:53) 8 Soul Music (04:01) 9 This Year (03:48) 10 Ain’t No Love Lost (03:12) 11 Pusherman (05:03) 12 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 13 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) 14 Hard Times (03:59) 15 In Your Arms Again (Shake It) (04:27) 16 So in Love (05:13) |
 | Album: 20 of 45 Title: The Anthology: 1961–1977 Released: 1992-12-08 Tracks: 40 Duration: 2:14:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Gypsy Woman (02:20) 2 Grow Closer Together (02:15) 3 Never Let Me Go (02:29) 4 Little Young Lover (02:15) 5 Minstrel and Queen (02:17) 6 I’m the One Who Loves You (02:27) 7 Sad Sad Girl and Boy (02:41) 8 It’s All Right (02:50) 9 Talking About My Baby (02:31) 10 I’m So Proud (02:49) 11 Keep on Pushing (02:33) 12 You Must Believe Me (02:32) 13 See the Real Me (02:23) 14 Amen (03:29) 15 I’ve Been Trying (02:46) 16 People Get Ready (02:39) 17 It’s Hard to Believe (02:24) 18 Womans Got Soul (02:18) 19 Meeting Over Yonder (02:20) 20 I Need You (02:47) 21 You’ve Been Cheatin’ (02:34) 22 Man Oh Man (03:06) 23 Can’t Satisfy (02:39) 24 We’re a Winner (02:24) 25 I Loved and I Lost (03:15) 26 We’re Rolling On (Part One) (02:17) 1 Fool for You (02:54) 2 This Is My Country (02:49) 3 Choice of Colors (03:18) 4 Check Out Your Mind (03:28) 5 Move On Up (08:54) 6 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 7 The Makings of You (03:44) 8 Beautiful Brother of Mine (07:25) 9 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 10 Superfly (03:53) 11 Pusherman (05:03) 12 So in Love (05:13) 13 Only You Babe (03:33) 14 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (edit) (03:29) |
| The Anthology: 1961–1977 : Allmusic album Review : MCAs double-disc The Anthology 1961-1977 is the definitive overview of Curtis Mayfields career, as the only compilation to draw from both his solo work and the best of his output with the Impressions. In fact, even discounting the four Curtom tracks that spill over onto disc two, the first discs 26 selections constitute far and away the most extensive Impressions best-of on the market. Toss in ten of the most essential Mayfield solo tracks, and the result is breathtaking in its progression from romantic soul, often informed by doo wop and gospel, to expansive, ambitiously arranged funk jams. Its also fascinating to hear Mayfields social conscience emerging as the 60s progress, since he was among the very first R&B; artists to explore political issues in his music, paving the way for countless others to do so during the 70s. If youre only interested in Mayfields funkier solo work, Rhinos The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield features all but one of the solo tracks included here, plus several more. But in order to fully grasp Mayfields impact on R&B; and his talent as a singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, The Anthology 1961-1977 is absolutely essential. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 45 Title: All The Best Released: 1994 Tracks: 17 Duration: 56:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Gypsy Woman (02:20) 2 I’m the One Who Loves You (02:27) 3 It’s All Right (02:50) 4 Talking About My Baby (02:31) 5 I’m So Proud (02:49) 6 Keep on Pushing (02:33) 7 You Must Believe Me (02:32) 8 Amen (03:29) 9 I’ve Been Trying (02:46) 10 People Get Ready (02:39) 11 Womans Got Soul (02:18) 12 You’ve Been Cheatin’ (02:34) 13 Right on Time (02:44) 14 We’re a Winner (02:24) 15 Move On Up (08:54) 16 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 17 First Impressions (05:00) |
 | Album: 22 of 45 Title: Groove On Up Released: 1994 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:12:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Kung Fu (06:02) 2 Sweet Exorcist (03:50) 3 Mother’s Son (06:04) 4 Ain’t No Love Lost (03:25) 5 So in Love (05:13) 6 Love to the People (04:03) 7 Only You Babe (03:33) 8 Show Me Love (05:16) 9 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) 10 You Are, You Are (03:39) 11 Do It All Night (08:21) 12 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 13 People, Get Ready (live) (03:40) 14 We’re a Winner (live) (04:42) 15 Keep On Keeping On (05:08) |
 | Album: 23 of 45 Title: Get Down to the Funky Groove Released: 1994-03-07 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:13:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Get Down (05:46) 2 Superfly (03:53) 3 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 4 Move On Up (08:54) 5 Wild and Free (03:17) 6 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 7 Little Child Runnin’ Wild (05:26) 8 Pusherman (05:03) 9 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:40) 10 Beautiful Brother of Mine (07:25) 11 Now You’re Gone (06:48) 12 Keep on Trippin’ (03:15) 13 Right on for the Darkness (07:29) |
 | Album: 24 of 45 Title: Curtis Mayfield Released: 1994-05-28 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:10:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Move on Up (03:46) 2 Soul Music (04:01) 3 In Your Arms Again (Shake It) (04:27) 4 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) 5 Hard Times (03:59) 6 So in Love (05:13) 7 You Are, You Are (03:39) 8 Pusherman (05:03) 9 Never Stop Loving Me (03:31) 10 Tripping Out (03:53) 11 Ain’t No Love Lost (03:12) 12 Superfly (03:53) 13 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 14 This Year (03:48) 15 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 16 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Gonna Go (07:04) |
 | Album: 25 of 45 Title: Living Legend Released: 1995-08-01 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:44:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 2 Pusherman (05:03) 3 Sweet Exorcist (03:52) 4 Kung Fu (06:14) 5 Back to the World (06:48) 6 A Prayer (04:03) 7 Think (03:46) 8 Mighty Mighty (live) (07:04) 9 Hell Below (live) (07:18) 10 Stone Junkie (live) (07:28) 1 Baby Its You (05:53) 2 Something to Believe In (04:44) 3 Whatcha Gonna Do (05:36) 4 Youre So Good to Me (07:03) 5 The Makings of You (03:44) 6 Mother’s Son (06:04) 7 Heartbeat (04:23) 8 Never Let Me Go (03:07) 9 Never Stop Loving Me (03:31) 10 Right Combonation (04:48) |
| Living Legend : Allmusic album Review : Living Legend is a double-disc collection of some of Curtis Mayfields finest solo material from the 70s, but it contains too much mediocre material to function as an effective introduction to the soul great. | ||
 | Album: 26 of 45 Title: People Get Ready! The Curtis Mayfield Story Released: 1996-02-27 Tracks: 51 Duration: 3:48:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Gypsy Woman (02:20) 2 It’s All Right (02:50) 3 I’m So Proud (02:49) 4 Keep on Pushing (02:33) 5 Amen (03:29) 6 People Get Ready (02:39) 7 Womans Got Soul (02:18) 8 We’re a Winner (02:24) 9 I Loved and I Lost (03:15) 10 Fool for You (02:54) 11 This Is My Country (02:49) 12 Choice of Colors (03:18) 13 The Makings of You (03:44) 14 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 15 Move On Up (08:54) 16 We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue (06:05) 17 Check Out Your Mind (03:51) 18 Mighty Mighty (Spade and Whitey) (06:57) 19 Stone Junkie (07:47) 1 Beautiful Brother of Mine (07:25) 2 Get Down (05:46) 3 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 4 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 5 Superfly (03:53) 6 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 7 Pusherman (05:03) 8 Future Shock (03:37) 9 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:53) 10 Cant Say Nothin (03:37) 11 Kung Fu (03:50) 12 Sweet Exorcist (03:52) 13 To Be Invisible (04:12) 14 Mother’s Son (06:04) 15 Billy Jack (06:06) 16 So in Love (05:13) 1 Only You Babe (04:22) 2 Party Night (03:49) 3 Mr. Welfare Man (05:35) 4 Show Me Love (03:47) 5 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) 6 You Are, You Are (03:39) 7 Do It All Night (edit) (03:41) 8 You’re So Good to Me (03:38) 9 Between You Baby and Me (04:43) 10 Love’s Sweet Sensation (03:50) 11 Love Me, Love Me Now (07:56) 12 Tripping Out (03:53) 13 She Don’t Let Nobody (But Me) (04:13) 14 Baby It’s You (03:33) 15 Homeless (07:33) 16 Do Be Down (04:08) |
| People Get Ready! The Curtis Mayfield Story : Allmusic album Review : Like most large box sets, this three-CD, 51-song production is too extensive for the casual fan and sacrifices consistency in an attempt to span an entire career. The focus is on Mayfields solo work; much of the first disc is devoted to his most popular work with the Impressions, but the remainder of the compilation surveys his solo output, from 1970 to 1990. The Impressions tracks are uniformly excellent, but the Mayfield-only cuts are more problematic. The best of these -- the Superfly highlights, of course, and early-70s singles like "(Dont Worry) If Theres a Hell Below Were All Going to Go" and "Beautiful Brother of Mine" -- are as good as anything he ever did. But even in the early 70s, he was erratic, and after Superfly (his career summit), nothing he did smacked of brilliance. Some of the post-Superfly stuff is OK, but considering that this period takes up half of disc two and all of disc three, it means youre in for a pretty swift downhill slide over the last half of the box. Mayfield never lost his vocal abilities, or his production skills, but after the late 70s his material was simply unimpressive, getting into pedestrian dance music and romantic urban contemporary. For a Mayfield retrospective, youre much better off with MCAs two-disc Anthology, which goes into the Impressions period with much greater depth, and includes the cream of his 70s solo recordings. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 45 Title: The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield Released: 1996-04-22 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:16:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 2 Move On Up (08:54) 3 Superfly (03:53) 4 Kung Fu (03:50) 5 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 6 Pusherman (05:03) 7 Future Shock (03:37) 8 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 9 So in Love (05:13) 10 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 11 You’re So Good to Me (03:38) 12 Tripping Out (03:53) 13 Dirty Laundry (04:07) 14 She Don’t Let Nobody (But Me) (03:55) 15 Hey Baby (Give It All to Me) (04:45) 16 Baby It’s You (03:33) |
 | Album: 28 of 45 Title: The Definitive Collection Released: 1996-08-26 Tracks: 34 Duration: 2:37:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 2 Get Down (05:46) 3 Give It Up (03:44) 4 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 5 Beautiful Brother of Mine (07:25) 6 Move on Up (03:42) 7 Superfly (03:53) 8 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 9 Future Shock (03:37) 10 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:53) 11 Kung Fu (03:50) 12 To Be Invisible (04:12) 13 Sweet Exorcist (03:52) 14 Billy Jack (06:06) 15 So in Love (05:13) 16 Mother’s Son (06:04) 1 Only You Babe (04:22) 2 Soul Music (04:01) 3 Party Night (03:49) 4 I’m Gonna Win Your Love (04:43) 5 Show Me Love (03:47) 6 Need Someone to Love (03:14) 7 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) 8 Short Eyes / Freak, Freak, Free, Free, Free (05:46) 9 Do It All Night (edit) (03:41) 10 This Year (03:48) 11 You’re So Good to Me (03:38) 12 Between You Baby and Me (04:43) 13 Tripping Out (03:53) 14 Something to Believe In (04:44) 15 Love’s Sweet Sensation (03:50) 16 Baby It’s You (03:33) 17 Homeless (07:33) 18 Do Be Down (04:08) |
 | Album: 29 of 45 Title: New World Order Released: 1996-10-01 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:03:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 New World Order (05:36) 2 Ms. Martha (04:23) 3 Back to Living Again (05:10) 4 No One Knows About a Good Thing (You Dont Have to Cry) (05:19) 5 Just a Little Bit of Love (05:27) 6 We People Who Are Darker Than Blue (05:02) 7 I Believe in You (04:58) 8 Here but Im Gone (05:21) 9 It Was Love That We Needed (04:15) 10 The Got Dang Song (05:17) 11 The Girl I Find Stays on My Mind (03:58) 12 Lets Not Forget (03:42) 13 Oh So Beautiful (04:38) |
| New World Order : Allmusic album Review : New World Order is a touching, moving comeback from Curtis Mayfield. As the first new music Mayfield recorded since he was paralyzed in 1990, the album engenders a lot of goodwill -- its undeniably affecting to hear him sing again, especially with the knowledge that his performances had to be recorded line by line, due to his paralysis. The joy of hearing him sing makes the inconsistency of the album forgivable, especially since he is in good voice. Narada Michael Walden, Daryl Simmons, and Organized Noize all contributed productions that are sensitive but strong, which gives the album added weight. The songs are hit-and-miss, but the main strength of the record is that it illustrates that Mayfield can make music that is still vital. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 45 Title: Move On Up Released: 1997 Tracks: 12 Duration: 43:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Move on Up (03:46) 2 Love to Keep You in My Mind (03:45) 3 In Your Arms Again (Shake It) (04:27) 4 Power to the People (03:25) 5 Eddie You Should Know Better (02:18) 6 Soul Music (04:01) 7 Superfly (03:53) 8 The Makings of You (03:44) 9 Hard Times (03:59) 10 Ain’t No Love Lost (03:12) 11 Keeps Me Loving You (03:27) 12 Miss Black America (02:59) |
 | Album: 31 of 45 Title: Love, Peace, Understanding Released: 1997 Tracks: 48 Duration: 3:32:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Power to the People (02:46) 2 The Underground (demo) (03:13) 3 Ghetto Child (demo of "Little Child Runnin Wild") (03:17) 4 Readings in Astrology (03:04) 5 Suffer (02:32) 6 Miss Black America (02:20) 7 Womans Got Soul (02:18) 8 I Loved and Lost (03:16) 9 Talkin’ About My Baby (02:27) 10 You Believe Me (02:15) 11 Minstrel and Queen (02:05) 12 Romancing to the Folk Songs (01:51) 13 Little Brown Boy (01:53) 14 I Thank Heaven (02:38) 15 Man’s Temptation (03:27) 16 Little Boy Blue (02:20) 17 Love’s Miracle (02:55) 18 Stare and Stare (live) (06:51) 19 We’ve Only Just Begun (live) (04:29) 20 Stone Junkie (live) (07:56) 21 I Plan to Stay a Believer (live) (03:44) 1 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 2 Move On Up (08:54) 3 We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue (06:05) 4 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 5 Keep On Keeping On (05:08) 6 Superfly (03:53) 7 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 8 Pusherman (05:03) 9 Future Shock (05:18) 10 Back to the World (06:48) 11 To Be Invisible (04:12) 12 So in Love (05:13) 13 Billy Jack (06:06) 1 Soul Music (04:01) 2 Mr. Welfare Man (05:35) 3 Never Say You Cant Survive (03:20) 4 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) 5 Love Me, Love Me Now (07:56) 6 People Never Give Up (05:50) 7 Something to Believe In (04:44) 8 She Don’t Let Nobody (But Me) (04:13) 9 Love Is the Place (05:02) 10 Come Free Your People (04:15) 11 Dirty Laundry (04:07) 12 Baby It’s You (03:33) 13 Homeless (07:33) 14 Do Be Down (04:08) |
| Love, Peace, Understanding : Allmusic album Review : The triple-disc Love, Peace, Understanding box set released by Sequel Records in the U.K. compiles many of Curtis Mayfields best-known singles along with quite a few rare demos from the early part of his solo career and some seldom-heard latter-day songs. The second disc in the set, which features the early-70s recordings Mayfield is best remembered for -- "(Dont Worry) If Theres a Hell Below," "Move on Up," "Freddies Dead," "Superfly," "So in Love," and so on -- is wonderful, no doubt, but thats probably not the reason to seek out this collection. Most admirers already have these songs either on the original full-lengths or else on other, more succinct best-ofs like Rhinos single-disc The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield or Sequels double-disc Move on Up: The Singles Anthology. If you want a true best-of featuring Mayfields best solo work, those are the collections to own; not this one. However, there is a reason to splurge on this sprawling triple-disc set, and its mostly because of the demos featured on disc one. Many of these 17 songs are not readily available in any format, though some would appear later in more polished versions, such as in the case of "Ghetto Child," for example, which would later appear on the Superfly soundtrack a few years later as "Little Child Runnin Wild." In addition to these hard-to-find demos, the third disc on this box set is also somewhat of a curiosity, featuring songs from Mayfields post-1975 work. Though this era of Mayfields solo career wasnt his most accomplished by any means, characterized more by frustration and disappointment than success or brilliance, most listeners probably arent familiar with these songs, so its nice to have a distilled selection of latter-day work to sample rather than scour through those hard to find and often painful latter-day albums. So, in total, you get a little bit of everything on this box set: a disc of early demos, a disc of genius hits, and a disc of failed comeback attempts, all in chronological order. Plus, you get a handy booklet with helpful liner notes, explaining the story behind the demos and the latter-day comeback attempts. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 45 Title: Give It Up: The Best of the Curtom Years 1970–77 Released: 1997 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:10:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Wild and Free (03:17) 2 Move On Up (08:54) 3 Mighty Mighty (Spade and Whitey) (06:47) 4 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 5 Never Say You Cant Survive (03:20) 6 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:53) 7 Billy Jack (06:06) 8 Superfly (03:53) 9 We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue (06:05) 10 Underground (05:17) 11 Back to the World (06:48) 12 Keep On Keeping On (05:08) 13 People Get Ready (03:47) 14 Give It Up (03:44) |
 | Album: 33 of 45 Title: The Masters Released: 1997 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:16:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 2 Get Down (05:46) 3 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 4 Superfly (03:53) 5 Future Shock (03:37) 6 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:53) 7 Kung Fu (03:50) 8 So in Love (05:13) 9 Soul Music (04:01) 10 Move on up (03:44) 11 Mighty Mighty (Rap) (06:48) 12 People Get Ready (Rap) (04:52) 13 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 14 Party Night (03:49) 15 For Your Precious Love (02:46) 16 Do It All Night (edit) (03:41) 17 Baby It’s You (03:33) |
 | Album: 34 of 45 Title: The Best of Curtis Mayfield Released: 1997-05 Tracks: 11 Duration: 59:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Move On Up (08:54) 2 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 3 Never Stop Loving Me (03:31) 4 Tripping Out (06:51) 5 Soul Music (04:01) 6 The Right Combination (04:43) 7 Hard Times (03:43) 8 So in Love (05:13) 9 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 10 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 11 Future Shock (05:18) |
 | Album: 35 of 45 Title: The Ultimate Curtis Mayfield Released: 1997-09-23 Tracks: 29 Duration: 2:07:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Fool for You (02:54) 2 This Is My Country (02:49) 3 Choice of Colors (03:18) 4 Gone Away (03:44) 5 Check Out Your Mind (03:29) 6 Aint Got Time (04:00) 7 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) 8 We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue (06:05) 9 Move On Up (03:38) 10 Keep On Keeping On (05:08) 11 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 12 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 13 Superfly (03:53) 14 Future Shock (03:37) 15 Right on for the Darkness (07:29) 1 Kung Fu (03:50) 2 Suffer (02:32) 3 Cannot Find a Way (07:07) 4 So in Love (05:13) 5 Hard Times (03:43) 6 Only You Babe (04:22) 7 You Are, You Are (03:39) 8 This Year (03:48) 9 Never Stop Loving Me (03:31) 10 Still Within Your Heart (04:26) 11 Dirty Laundry (04:07) 12 We Gotta Have Peace (04:37) 13 Everybody Needs a Friend (04:46) 14 On and On (03:43) |
| The Ultimate Curtis Mayfield : Allmusic album Review : Even if you have other Curtis Mayfield compilations, this wont be added baggage. Six tracks represent his weaning from the Impressions period; the 23 others are prime cuts from his solo albums, three each from Curtis and Superfly, respectively. Theres enough unfamiliar material to make this essential to the most fanatical Mayfield worshiper, including three Mayfield/Donny Hathaway collaborations; "Never Stop Loving Me," which previously appeared on Keni Burkes Youre the Best LP, and a remake of his Gladys Knight & the Pips stomper "On and On." | ||
 | Album: 36 of 45 Title: Curtis: The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield Released: 1998 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:15:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Move On Up (08:54) 2 Get Down (05:46) 3 Give It Up (03:44) 4 Little Child Runnin’ Wild (05:26) 5 Pusherman (05:03) 6 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 7 Give Me Your Love (Love Song) (04:17) 8 Eddie You Should Know Better (02:18) 9 No Thing on Me (Cocaine Song) (04:55) 10 Superfly (03:53) 11 People Get Ready (03:56) 12 Right on for the Darkness (07:29) 13 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Gonna Go (07:04) 14 You’re So Good to Me (06:54) |
 | Album: 37 of 45 Title: Back to the World / Love Released: 1998-11-03 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:20:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Back to the World (06:48) 2 Future Shock (05:18) 3 Right on for the Darkness (07:29) 4 Future Song (Love a Good Woman, Love a Good Man) (05:00) 5 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:53) 6 Can’t Say Nothin’ (05:15) 7 Keep on Trippin’ (03:15) 1 Power to the People (02:46) 2 The Underground (demo) (03:13) 3 Ghetto Child (demo of "Little Child Runnin Wild") (03:17) 4 Readings in Astrology (03:04) 5 Suffer (02:32) 6 Miss Black America (02:20) 7 Womans Got Soul (02:18) 8 I Loved and Lost (03:16) 9 Talkin’ About My Baby (02:27) 10 You Believe Me (02:15) 11 Minstrel and Queen (02:05) 12 Romancing to the Folk Songs (01:51) 13 Little Brown Boy (01:53) 14 I Thank Heaven (02:38) 15 Man’s Temptation (03:27) 16 Little Boy Blue (02:20) 17 Love’s Miracle (02:55) |
 | Album: 38 of 45 Title: Super Fly (and more) Released: 1999 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:16:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Superfly (03:53) 2 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 3 Kung Fu (03:50) 4 So in Love (05:13) 5 Only You Babe (04:22) 6 Get Down (05:46) 7 Future Shock (03:37) 8 Mother’s Son (06:04) 9 Short Eyes / Freak, Freak, Free, Free, Free (05:46) 10 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 11 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:53) 12 Sweet Exorcist (03:52) 13 Show Me Love (03:47) 14 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) 15 Do It All Night (edit) (03:41) 16 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) |
 | Album: 39 of 45 Title: Gospel Released: 1999 Tracks: 13 Duration: 49:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Amen (03:29) 2 People Get Ready (02:39) 3 Wherever You Leadeth Me (02:38) 4 You Ought to Be in Heaven (02:46) 5 Jesus (06:10) 6 A Prayer (04:03) 7 Meeting Over Yonder (02:23) 8 Something to Believe In (04:44) 9 Love to the People (04:03) 10 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 11 When Were Alone (05:27) 12 Keep on Pushing (02:33) 13 It’s All Right / Amen (live) (04:00) |
 | Album: 40 of 45 Title: Superfly Released: 1999 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:02:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples AlbumCover | 1 Superfly (03:53) 2 Soul Music (04:01) 3 So in Love (05:13) 4 Party Night (03:49) 5 Need Someone to Love (03:14) 6 Homeless (07:33) 7 This Year (03:41) 8 Show Me Love (03:47) 9 Billy Jack (06:06) 10 You’re So Good to Me (03:38) 11 Do It All Night (edit) (03:41) 12 Freddie’s Dead (05:26) 13 Do Be Down (04:08) 14 Only You Babe (04:22) |
 | Album: 41 of 45 Title: Move On Up: The Singles Anthology 1970–90 Released: 1999 Tracks: 39 Duration: 2:24:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Move On Up (02:48) 2 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (03:28) 3 Beautiful Brother of Mine (03:09) 4 Mighty, Mighty Spade & Whitey (live) (single edit) (03:14) 5 Get Down (03:53) 6 We Got to Have Peace (03:36) 7 Keep On Keeping On (03:09) 8 Freddie’s Dead (Theme From “Superfly”) (03:19) 9 Superfly (03:08) 10 Future Shock (03:37) 11 Back to the World (04:15) 12 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:53) 13 Cant Say Nothin (03:37) 14 Kung Fu (03:50) 15 Sweet Exorcist (03:52) 16 Mother’s Son (single edit) (04:13) 17 So in Love (02:48) 18 Only You Babe (03:33) 19 Party Night (03:49) 20 Show Me Love (03:47) 1 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (edit) (03:29) 2 You Are, You Are (03:39) 3 Do It All Night (edit) (03:41) 4 In Love, In Love, In Love (03:48) 5 No Goodbyes (04:15) 6 This Year (03:48) 7 Between You Baby and Me (03:56) 8 Love’s Sweet Sensation (03:50) 9 Love Me, Love Me Now (04:05) 10 Tripping Out (03:53) 11 It’s Alright (03:56) 12 She Don’t Let Nobody (But Me) (03:55) 13 Toot an’ Toot an’ Toot (04:11) 14 Hey Baby (Give It All to Me) (04:45) 15 Baby It’s You (03:33) 16 I Mo Git U Sucka (single version) (03:09) 17 Homeless (04:48) 18 Do Be Down (03:41) 19 Dirty Laundry (04:07) |
 | Album: 42 of 45 Title: Move On Up: The Best of Curtis Mayfield Released: 1999 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:18:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Move On Up (02:48) 2 Superfly (03:53) 3 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (03:28) 4 We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue (06:05) 5 Get Down (03:53) 6 Keep On Keeping On (05:08) 7 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 8 Beautiful Brother of Mine (07:25) 9 Freddie’s Dead (Theme From “Superfly”) (03:19) 10 Pusherman (05:03) 11 Future Shock (03:37) 12 If I Were Only a Child Again (02:53) 13 Cant Say Nothin (03:37) 14 Kung Fu (03:50) 15 Sweet Exorcist (03:52) 16 Mother’s Son (single edit) (04:13) 17 Make Me Believe in You (05:33) 18 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) |
 | Album: 43 of 45 Title: Theres No Place Like America Today / Give, Get, Take And Have Released: 1999-03-02 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:08:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Billy Jack (06:06) 2 When Seasons Change (05:23) 3 So in Love (05:13) 4 Jesus (06:10) 5 Blue Monday People (04:47) 6 Hard Times (03:43) 7 Love to the People (04:03) 1 In Your Arms Again (Shake It) (04:27) 2 This Love Is Sweet (03:11) 3 P.S. I Love You (04:00) 4 Party Night (03:49) 5 Get a Little Bit (Give, Get, Take and Have) (03:36) 6 Soul Music (04:01) 7 Only You Babe (04:22) 8 Mr. Welfare Man (05:35) |
 | Album: 44 of 45 Title: Superfly and Other Hits Released: 1999-04-02 Tracks: 10 Duration: 48:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Superfly (03:53) 2 Only You Babe (04:22) 3 Cant Say Nothin (03:37) 4 Sweet Exorcist (03:52) 5 Between You Baby and Me (04:43) 6 Get Down (05:46) 7 Party Night (03:49) 8 Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here (05:31) 9 We Got to Have Peace (04:44) 10 (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go (07:51) |
 | Album: 45 of 45 Title: The Right Combination / Rapping Released: 1999-08-23 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:41:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rock You to Your Socks (04:36) 2 The Right Combination (04:43) 3 I’m So Proud (03:38) 4 Ain’t No Love Lost (04:25) 5 It’s Lovin’ Time (Your Baby’s Home) (06:20) 6 Love’s Sweet Sensation (03:50) 7 Between You Baby and Me (04:38) 8 This Year (03:48) 9 Broadway Gypsy Lady (03:42) 10 Gypsy Lady (03:32) 11 You Are, You Are (03:39) 12 Hold Me Close (04:50) 13 I Can’t Let This Good Thing Get Away (04:15) 14 (It’s Gonna Be) A Long Long Winter (03:42) 15 Turn the Key Softly (04:14) 16 Can’t Get Enough (02:40) 17 You Are, You Are (05:17) 18 Tomorrow Night for Sure (04:35) 1 Rappin’ (Interview/Music) Side One (12:20) 2 Rappin’ (Interview/Music) Side Two (12:37) |
| The Right Combination / Rapping : Allmusic album Review : Curtis Mayfield and runway model/singer Linda Clifford made beautiful music together. But except for "Between You Baby and Me," a number 14 R&B; hit in 1979, the unlikely combo went unnoticed by the masses. This two-disc CD combines their album together (The Right Combination) with eight solos by Clifford and three by Mayfield. The Right Combination featured contrasting dancefloor jams and doo wop-ish ballads. Ms. Clifford overshadowed Mayfield at times, particularly on the steppers. The second disc features two 12-minute-plus interviews -- called "Rappin" -- of Mayfield. | ||