View Full Version : Album Club: 01.11.2011: Curtis Mayfield - Superfly 1972 (Vinyl, CD)
Curtis Mayfield - Superfly 1972 (Vinyl, cd)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510cBiPgbIL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Fly_(soundtrack)
Spotify link:http://open.spotify.com/album/7E9l34w4W4R280AOaBwdqf
I'll start with a classic album. My choice is the 1972 offering from the late Curis Mayfield. This album was the soundtrack for a popular "Blakplotation" film, Superfly. The album set to capture a focus on poverty and drug abuse. He sets a story of "telling it like it is" around the characters in the film, telling a vibrant story without moralising.
This was one of the early Soul concept album, like Marvin Gaye's What's going on". It blends fine soul & funk with lyrical finesse.The album was a big seller in the USA, sporting the million selling singles, Freddie's dead & Superfly.
Curtis was a member of the big selling Soul group, The Impressions. The combined sweet harmonies with social aware lyrics. In 1970, Curtis went solo producing a range of fine albums blending soul & funk with political awareness, social comment on the situtation of the day. Superfly is one of his best albums and is still relevant today.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_21?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=curtis+mayfield+superfly&sprefix=curtis+mayfield+super&rh=n%3A229816%2Ck%3Acurtis+mayfield+superfly&ajr=1
Great choice Dean, thank you. I've got it on CD, but might just have to seek out a vinyl copy.
I never listened to the album fully before but know a few of the tracks. I found the album easy to get into my only negatitive comment would be radio slots I could do without them.
I like Alex might purchase this on vinyl. I give it a few more plays before I decide
At the moment I give this a 4
Thing Fish
02-11-2011, 16:19
'Junkie chase' took me right back to the early cop shows of the 70s.
Great album and right in my teenage years bracket. Ultra mellow and relaxing especially with a bit of the old herb...;)
I just love 70s music...:)
A good 4/5 stars
I never listened to the album fully before but know a few of the tracks. I found the album easy to get into my only negatitive comment would be radio slots I could do without them.
I like Alex might purchase this on vinyl. I give it a few more plays before I decide
At the moment I give this a 4
Hi John,
The original version on vinyl has not got the the radio interviews on it. The album has been re-released a few times with extras added.
The 25th anniversary version has the most extras on it.
You should be able to get a vinyl version if you hunt around.
Me no disco,funk,jive,soul - me hippy, prog, rock, indie.
But hang on Sloopy , the early 70's was my "time" and I may not have listened to disco, funk,jive, soul but my conscious must have because I have dropped right into this Superfly groove :booty:
4out of 5 :)
Hi John,
The original version on vinyl has not got the the radio interviews on it. The album has been re-released a few times with extras added.
The 25th anniversary version has the most extras on it.
You should be able to get a vinyl version if you hunt around.
Cheers Dean
While this is a good album I can’t help feeling it sells Curtis Mayfield a bit short.
You’ve got to love the Tabla and Bongo work on the album and the percussion in general.
Cool 70’s grooves that wont leave you with a headache but I wish I didn’t think of the film when I hear the music coz it was awful imo.
So Curtis, yep great, the album, because it’s a movie soundtrack, well, I’m not so sure.
3 out of 5 from me but not because of the musical talent but because it’s a soundtrack to a film.
The Grand Wazoo
03-11-2011, 20:37
Yet another interesting choice for Album Club.
I saw the film longer ago than I care to remember, but never really took much notice of the soundtrack to be honest. I've spun this twice so far this week & intend to spend a bit more time with it yet.
Pretty good so far.
Two things that I note:
1.The lyrics are pretty serious stuff.
2. For some reason I keep expecting to hear a soaring guitar solo from Ernie Isley, but never get one! Why the hell would I? He never went near the recording of this album!
The lyrics are pretty serious stuff.
That's the only "problem" I have with Curtis Mayfield - the lyrics - not that they aren't good, but he does cover some serious ground, and not just with this soundtrack. Have to say he's unique, though - as soon as he opens his mouth on any record you instantly know it is Curtis.
Yet another interesting choice for Album Club.
2. For some reason I keep expecting to hear a soaring guitar solo from Ernie Isley, but never get one! Why the hell would I? He never went near the recording of this album!
:lolsign:
aquapiranha
03-11-2011, 21:50
Just checked and I only have the album 'Roots' so as soon as I get a chance, probably over the weekend, I will give it a go.
If you've not heard the track that Bran Van 3000 did (with the blessing of Mayfield's widow) - give this a spin: http://open.spotify.com/track/5WdV3cj4TzwBIsKC6TdXyv
Really not my cup of tea, I'm afraid. For me, black music starts with blues and ends with jazz - I'm really not a fan of soul, funk or disco and found this very difficult to get through, especially given the nature of the lyrics.
I gave it "2" as I suspect it's good within its genre, but not something I'll be listening to again.
Audioman
06-11-2011, 21:53
I'm on the fence with this. I'm sure it sounds great on vinyl, the arrangements are well done and Mayfield had a great voice. I actualy quite like this orchestrated funk/soul from this period especialy The Temptations. This suffers from being a soundtrack to a film which never quite works as a stand alone album. I haven't seen the film but I understand its not good. Will give it benefit of the doubt so just makes a 3. Not for repeated listening though.
I really like this! Cool as fuck choons for cruising to in the car..... Some of it reminds me a bit of the kind of sounds that accompanied Starsky and Hutch! Yo' Huggy Bear... :eyebrows:
Track 11, the mix of 'Pusherman' is just boogietastic (as is the original 'Ghetto Child')... :dance:
Defo 4 out of 5 for moi. Some of you guys ain't go no soul, man!
Marco.
An interesting choice...
Pusherman, Ghetto Child, and Superfly are the real standout tracks for me, the others are a little less engaging, I suppose I'm more enthused my the up tempo funky tracks.
I'm dithering between 3 & 4, I'll plump for 3...
For me, it's the up-tempo, funky, tracks that make the album. I'd buy if for those three tracks alone :)
Marco.
For me, it's the up-tempo, funky, tracks that make the album. I'd buy if for those three tracks alone :)
Marco.
When Mr Mayfield does funky, he does it very well, the full 8 minute version of 'move on up' is still one of my favourites...:)
One of my mates does a rare groove funky DJ set, his first track on Saturday night was 'pusherman', I got some cool points for identifying and describing the whole superfly concept album...quite handy album club sometimes ;)
The CD came home with me too...just for archival purposes of course ;)
A 3 from me, you cant really knock Curtis... its not the type of thing I'd listen to on my own but could see this getting a spin at one of our Poker nights sometime soon. We tend to go for funk rather than the predicable blues!
Reid Malenfant
28-05-2012, 16:41
Damn :steam: I just fancied a bit of this, but it looks like it's no longer available on Spotify :doh:
The Grand Wazoo
28-05-2012, 16:50
It's on Grooveshark, Mark.
'ere tis (http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Superfly/1470376)
Reid Malenfant
28-05-2012, 16:56
It's on Grooveshark, Mark.
'ere tis (http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Superfly/1470376)
Thanks Chris :youtheman:
:)
Think I'll have to join that as well & see what's on there :cool:
The Grand Wazoo
28-05-2012, 17:01
No joining required, I don't think, just click the link & listen.
Reid Malenfant
28-05-2012, 17:03
No joining required, I don't think, just click the link & listen.
Yes, that was certainly the case with Nicks album. Maybe you are right, but I'm sure I saw a place to log in or register, perhaps that is for something else entirely :eyebrows:
Once again thanks for the link though :)
The Grand Wazoo
28-05-2012, 17:05
You're welcome.
Reid Malenfant
28-05-2012, 19:08
Well that's a very solid 4/5 from me, really enjoyed it :eyebrows: Reminds me of oh so many films from the seventies & America as depicted in the movies.
I guess it was a hot summers day in San Francisco :D
I may well have to see if I can find this on CD, if it's at the right price then I'll be purchasing :cool:
I'm generally wary of 'soul-funk', however Mayfield is one of the better practitioners. Beautiful production - 4/5 from me.
I remember seeing Mayfield at the 1970(?) bath Festival.
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