March 18, 1999
Saying that Superfly is Curtis Mayfield's masterpiece is like saying that Mount Everest is the tallest peak in the Himalayas. Sure, it's the biggest and best known, but the rest of the range is pretty damn big too. Mayfield's career is one of mountainous achievements - his early years in The Impressions gave us some of the sweetest gospel soul of the 60's, his itchy guitar work is a cornerstone of 70's funk, and modern hip-hop groups mine his tracks for breaks and lyrical inspiration.
And inspiration is what Mayfield is all about. Curtis was his first solo album away from The Impressions, and it's a catalogue of cutting social critique and irrepressible optimism. Mayfield saw the traumas of the civil rights movement and reported on both the infighting in the black community ("We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue") and the pride of solidarity ("Miss Black America").
This is a man who can deliver a scorching indictment like "(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Gonna Go" with apocalyptic funk, then turn around and urge you to "Move On Up" with uplifting strings and that heart-piercing falsetto. Even when he's detailing the dead-end attitudes that reign in "The Other Side Of Town", you are invariably left with the sense that Child, things are gonna get easier.
Mayfield has the eye of a journalist, the soul of a prophet and the voice of a preacher. He blends drop-dead funk, swirling psychedelia, aching gospel moans and poignant string arrangements into a uniquely satisfying downtown soul, all in the service of his inspiring songwriting. Not until Public Enemy would America again hear such powerful messages in popular music, and his musical innovations are still unequaled - it's high time to give this criminally under-appreciated artist his due.
- Jared O'Connor
Post Script, Caveat and Entreaty: Unfortunately, this tour-de-force is out of print and can be notoriously difficult to find. At the time of this writing, the angels over at Rhino records have purchased the rights to Curtis Mayfield's back catalog and are currently remastering and re-releasing it. I've seen Superfly and Roots in the bins, but they haven't gotten around to this one yet - keep your eyes open. I'd imagine it's coming soon, and it's well worth the wait. But if, like me, you can't wait, the fine people over at Insound.com, the Internet's best album retailer, have it available as a Japanese import for $22.79. I implore you to click here to check it out.
inspirational funk