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Curtis Mayfield - Curtis Mayfield's Chicago Soul Audio CD

A fair review of the Curtis Mayfield "Curtis Mayfield's Chicago Soul" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Curtis Mayfield reviews here, or go back to the Curtis Mayfield tabs.

Curtis Mayfield Band: Curtis Mayfield
Title: Curtis Mayfield's Chicago Soul
Rating:
Release Date: 1995-11-07
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: You Can't Hurt Me No More - Opal 2: What Would You Do - Walter Jackson 3: I'm the One Who Loves You - Major Lance 4: I Can't Work No Longer - Billy Butler & the Enchanters 5: (Gonna Be) Good Times - Gene Chandler 6: Monkey Time - Major Lance 7: Patty Cake - The Artistics 8: (I've Got a Feeling) You're Gonna Be Sorry - Billy Butler & the Enchanters 9: Think Nothing About It - Major Lance 10: Nertheless (I Love You) - Billy Butler & the Enchanters 11: It's All Over - Walter Jackson 12: Found True Love - Billy Butler & the Enchanters 13: You'll Want Me Back - Major Lance 14: That's What Mama Say - Walter Jackson 15: Gotta Get Away - Billy Butler & the Enchanters 16: Funny (Not Much) - Walter Jackson 17: You're Gonna Be Sorry - The Opals 18: Gonna Get Married - Major Lance

Chicago Soul 1963 - 65
Mayfield is certainly one of the architects of Chicago soul, as is Carl Davis, who also had a production hand in most of this material. This 1995 CD collects 18 great performances, all of them written and/or produced by Curtis Mayfield, and all but two of which was issued by Okeh Records (the exceptions are Gene Chandler's 1965 hit "Good Times", which appeared on Constellation, and an unissued gem by Billy Butler & The Enchanters).
Every track is a gem, and fans of Mayfield will recognize his gorgeous, unfolding melodies, warm and subtly funky guitar playing, and beautifully crafted lyrics. Several of the tracks were hits, such as Major Lance's immortal "The Monkey Time" and Chandler's "Good Times" but the ones that missed are just as fine. Try not to be moved by the Opals' opener, the magnificent "You Can't Hurt Me No More" and note how carefully these classic sides bring out the best in vocalists like Walter Jackson, Butler, or The Artistics (and by the way, one sometimes hears the Impressions providing backing vocals).
This set confirms that Curtis was Smokey Robinson's equal when exploring heartbreak and loneliness without a trace of self pity. This compilation proves, as well, just what an astonishing body of work Mayfield created during the '60s. Following the departure of Jerry Butler, Curtis continued to lead The Impressions, who managed to release 10 studio albums of material dating from 1961 until 1970, when Mayfield released his solo debut. And, there are many great tracks that Curtis wrote and oversaw for others (Jerry Butler's post-Impressions work, Jan Bradley on Chess, Gene Chandler's Checker and Constellation recordings, etc). I only wish this wonderful collection was a boxed-set! To fans of classic popular music, "Curtis Mayfield's Chicago Soul" is marvelous - the evocative dance songs and slow burners, ballads of heartache and affirmation all display Mayfield's love of craft and his compassion, and listening to this set reminds me just deeply felt, unpretentious, sexy, and sad his music remains. Highly recomended.


Excellent Little-known Soul
Really obscure but good stuff that you are not likely to have heard unless you were in Chicago listening to the likes of E. These are some lesser-known tunes written and produced by the Soul legend Curtis Mayfield back in Chicago in the 60s. Rodney Jones and Herb Kent the Kool Gent on WVON radio back in the early-mid 60s. Mighty sweet stuff. The kind of rare Soul that fueled the Northern Soul movement in England. Enjoy and smile.


You can see a complete list of all Curtis Mayfield discography, or go back to the Curtis Mayfield tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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