Search - Various Artists :: Curtis Mayfield's Chicago Soul

Excellent Little-known Soul

Andre M. | Mt. Pleasant, SC United States | 01/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are some lesser-known tunes written and produced by the Soul legend Curtis Mayfield back in Chicago in the 60s. Really obscure but good stuff that you are not likely to have heard unless you were in Chicago listening to the likes of E. 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."

Chicago Soul 1963 - 65

J P Ryan | Waltham, Massachusetts United States | 07/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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). 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.

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."