Curtis Mayfield (June 3, 1942 - December 26, 1999) was an American soul, funk and R&B singer-songwriter and guitarist probably best known for his soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Superfly. Perhaps because he didn't cross over to the pop audience as heavily as Motown's stars, it may be that the scope of Curtis Mayfield's talents and contributions have yet to be fully recognized. Judged merely by his records alone, the man's 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," "It's All Right," "People Get Ready," "Freddie's Dead," and "Superfly" are merely the most famous of his many hit records. But Curtis Mayfield wasn't just a singer. Born in in Chicago, IL, 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
1 | Get Down | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
2 | (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Go | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
3 | Can't Say Nothin' | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
4 | Future Shock | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
5 | Freddie's Dead (Theme From "Superfly") | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
6 | Superfly | Superfly |
7 | Pusherman | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
8 | Between You Baby And Me | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
9 | We Got To Have Peace | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
10 | So In Love | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
11 | Do Do Wap Is Strong In Here | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
12 | Kung Fu | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
13 | Do Be Down | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
14 | The Makings Of You | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |
15 | Only You Babe | The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield |