Smiling from my toes to my head, listening from a hospital bed. Curtis has gone, but Freddie's not dead! Put down the fighting, let's have Peace instead. It's a pity for the city. There's no town like Mo-town!😍✌&❤.
Move on Up is a big favorite of mine. This album sits comfortably next to 'Music Of My Mind' and 'What's Going On'. Soul for the hippies. Like the shirt. Thanks JP!
A classic. The next few albums (Curtis/Live, Roots, Superfly) are also essential, featuring CM's working band with Craig McMullen (g), Joseph 'Lucky' Scott (b), Tyrone McCullen (d) & Master Henry Gibson (perc).
This album is truly a masterpiece on every level! I greatly appreciate your reaction to it. It is one of the best funk southern soul albums out there. Whenever I have a long car trip, I always take this album with me. If we are discussing the funk soul world, another great artist who doesn't receive much recognition on CZcams in general is a funk, soul, jazz, and Latin band called "Mandrill." They are absolutely incredible, and I would even describe some of their albums as progressive. In their debut album "Mandrill," side B is one song divided into sections called "Peace and Love (Amani na Mapenzi)." This song is absolutely amazing, featuring elements of rock, jazz, Latin, funk, and a lot of soul. I genuinely believe it can be considered a progressive song due to the various genres it incorporates and its complexity. I have never heard anything quite like it. I highly recommend that you listen to it or explore their music sometime.💪 Thank you once again and I wish you a pleasant day.😊
I don't think I'm alone in saying that Curtis Mayfield is the soul artist that non-soul fans (i.e. me) really respect. The first few seconds of track 1 tell you that you're in for something worthwhile with the spoken word, the filthy bass-line, the 'Shaft' wah-wah guitar, the very busy drums and then the incredibly distinctive vocals of Mr Mayfield. This milieu was totally alien to an 11 year old white Scottish laddie but was so much more exciting than the other soul/Motown/R&B coming from the US at the time. The main riff from Move on Up might just be the best non-guitar or keyboard riff that recorded music has to offer. TV theme songs? Original UK Top Gear (Allman Brothers - Jessica) and Weekend World (Mountain's Nantucket Sleighride) but if you want original pieces of music, it's difficult to beat the 1963 version of Doctor Who.
A classic! While we’re in a soul mood: if you haven’t heard Al Green’s album Call Me, that one is an absolute masterpiece, definitely worth a full listen on the channel.
Thank you for reacting to this classic album. Most reactors have ignored Curtis, and if they do react, it's usually to Superfly, and Curtis' other master works have been neglected. In "We People who are Darker than Blue" when he refers to 'high yellow gal,' he is not talking about Asians -- high yella is a reference to a light-skinned Black person. Also, a lot of Curtis' work was Black-centric, so it's okay for Miss Black America to be about a celebration of Black women without it having to be about 'everybody' which it clearly is not. Again, thank you for this reaction.
A vintage classic. Still sounds great after all these years. The Makings of You, Move On Up, We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue, and Wild and Free are all top notch. A couple of other unusual but exceptional Soul gems from this era (that were largely forgotten by the public) would be: Rotary Connection's "Hey, Love" and Minnie Riperton's debut "Come To My Garden", both produced and arranged by Charles Stepney.
One of those classic albums that envelops you in an early 70s atmosphere: the good and the bad. Classic shirt, too! Theme songs? Hmm, I still know the words to _The_ _Beverly_ _Hillbillies_ and _Green_ _Acres_ shows - not sure if that's a good thing - and Mouret's "Fanfare" from the older _Masterpiece_ _Theatre_ seasons was sometimes the best part of the cheesier episodes.
So, now it's time to get your dad's Superfly vinyl out. My best bud sent me CDs of two super vibey soundtracks - Superfly and Trouble Man by Marvin Gaye. Just some very fine 70's funky vibes. Put Isaac Hayes' Shaft soundtrack with these two and you've got yourself a couple hours of funked out bliss. And it looks like my prediction - from a few days ago - that I would enjoy all the Long Song Saturdays this month is so far coming true. Thanks for this rousing good time, but imma take a nap now...
I'm not much of a soulboy, but Curtis is an exception. (Don't Worry) If There Is a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go...whoa! The beat, the relentless bass, that sweet voice swirling.
Funnily enough, I listened to this album just over a week ago!😀 By the way, The Jam covered "Move on Up" in 1982 and their version is not dissimilar to the original. It's a good one, but personally I'm more into The Temptations, whose aptly named Masterpiece from 1973 you might try one day.😉
To respond to your question on "Move on Up" being stretched out to 9 minutes - I don’t mind it at all! But I wonder if it might have been even more effective if it were the last song on the album, like how Stevie Wonder ended Songs in the Key of Life by riding out the incredible groove and hook of "Another Star" into the sunset for 8:28, giving you that "I never want it to end" feeling.
Hi JP. DP from UK. Terrific album; fantastic instrumentation, especially the horns; unmistakable vocals; and Move On Up is one of the all-time classic soul songs. You asked, How Long should the album version of this song be. I agree that the length is fine, with the jazzy work-outs, but I would have preferred Curtis to return to round it off. P.S. my song ref How Long is by Ace feat. Paul Carrack.
Favorite theme songs, musically: The Jetsons Perry Mason Hawaii 5-O And, comfort themes - meaning, as soon as I hear it, my whole body (and soul) just relaxes, ready to enjoy a great show: M*A*S*H NYPD Blue
I enjoyed that, but the subscribed button seems to be stuck and kind of greyed out, so doesn't look like I'll be able to do that. Oh hang on, it's gone black again. But now it says "Subscribe". (Since I lied a little, parts of that story might not be entirely convincing). Musically I liked it better when it was nice and weird (such as at the beginning) than when it began to turn more generally "60's/70's TV compatible" - music for everyone, including the old folk none too impressed with all the noisy stuff by the youngsters who "can't sing properly and just shout". A whole record based off how it started might've gotten a bit demanding (although the easy cure for that is to just listen again, when you've recovered). I also find the "Tales of Crushing Defeat" approach more "realistic" (and maybe even more appealing in a twisted kind of way) than the idea that if you just keep on trying, you'll get a different result next time. Life is about carrying on, even though you know it's not going to work out this time, yet again. It's OK. If you attacked the brick wall, of course it's still standing. The point is mainly to attack it, not to knock it down (nice as it is when sometimes one manages the impossible again, this way). The Impossible is always impossible, but sometimes it gets tired of the tiny little ants that keep biting it in spite of that. But that might be a minority point of view. ("I am just a shrew, and that's all I'll ever be. But that snake they've fed me to? I'm going to bite the bugger. Might die for it. Good.") Buried Alive: Tales of Crushing Defeat. You still have to get around to that one. But maybe wait till the title puts a smile containing some solidarity on your face. Socially/ politically, to me he hits the right kind of balance between identity plus self affirmation (in a context of historical oppression right to the extent where a little girl was not even officially allowed to become beautiful one day) and a generous welcome-to-all. In our context that would be more like "the Mandela way" than the "Blackfirst-Landfirst way" (which is perilously close to being just a variant of a way of thinking that was popular in Germany in the 1930's). There's room in the world for all of us. I like it. A foundation of kindness and common sense. Whatever else, built on top of that and based on it. It allows for all sorts of "contradictions" without having to break or distort into something ugly.
Felt a little left out on the intro… Some the mixture of strings,horns,harp etc. reminds me of Alice Coltrane. I listen to Alice and Carlos Santana’s Illuminations album periodically and chill down, transcendental. Munsters theme, Addams Family theme, Monkees, Kids In The Hall, True Blood, Hung… I’m weird. I would have flipped the order of Wild and Free and Give It Up… just saying.
Excited to see you reacting to this album, even better to hear that you chose it yourself! I love it. And his lemon yellow suit.
Smiling from my toes to my head, listening from a hospital bed. Curtis has gone, but Freddie's not dead! Put down the fighting, let's have Peace instead. It's a pity for the city. There's no town like Mo-town!😍✌&❤.
No hood like brotherhood. Hope you feel better bro.
I love it! Ty James, hope youre having a good weekend
Motown is a dangerous shithole. Would you live there?
Move on Up is a big favorite of mine. This album sits comfortably next to 'Music Of My Mind' and 'What's Going On'. Soul for the hippies. Like the shirt. Thanks JP!
A classic. The next few albums (Curtis/Live, Roots, Superfly) are also essential, featuring CM's working band with Craig McMullen (g), Joseph 'Lucky' Scott (b), Tyrone McCullen (d) & Master Henry Gibson (perc).
This album is truly a masterpiece on every level! I greatly appreciate your reaction to it.
It is one of the best funk southern soul albums out there. Whenever I have a long car trip, I always take this album with me.
If we are discussing the funk soul world, another great artist who doesn't receive much recognition on CZcams in general is a funk, soul, jazz, and Latin band called "Mandrill."
They are absolutely incredible, and I would even describe some of their albums as progressive.
In their debut album "Mandrill," side B is one song divided into sections called "Peace and Love (Amani na Mapenzi)."
This song is absolutely amazing, featuring elements of rock, jazz, Latin, funk, and a lot of soul. I genuinely believe it can be considered a progressive song due to the various genres it incorporates and its complexity.
I have never heard anything quite like it.
I highly recommend that you listen to it or explore their music sometime.💪
Thank you once again and I wish you a pleasant day.😊
One of the most intelligent black activist funk artists out there. Some glorious songs will meet you on the way.
I don't think I'm alone in saying that Curtis Mayfield is the soul artist that non-soul fans (i.e. me) really respect. The first few seconds of track 1 tell you that you're in for something worthwhile with the spoken word, the filthy bass-line, the 'Shaft' wah-wah guitar, the very busy drums and then the incredibly distinctive vocals of Mr Mayfield. This milieu was totally alien to an 11 year old white Scottish laddie but was so much more exciting than the other soul/Motown/R&B coming from the US at the time. The main riff from Move on Up might just be the best non-guitar or keyboard riff that recorded music has to offer. TV theme songs? Original UK Top Gear (Allman Brothers - Jessica) and Weekend World (Mountain's Nantucket Sleighride) but if you want original pieces of music, it's difficult to beat the 1963 version of Doctor Who.
I only know Mayfield from Shaft. I didn't know he became paralyzed. That's so sad.
A classic! While we’re in a soul mood: if you haven’t heard Al Green’s album Call Me, that one is an absolute masterpiece, definitely worth a full listen on the channel.
Curtis on vocals, electric guitar, production and orchestral arrangements as well as all Songwriting on this album.
Genius.
For me Curtis is one of the true geniuses of 20th century music, up there with anyone you care to name.
Thank you for reacting to this classic album. Most reactors have ignored Curtis, and if they do react, it's usually to Superfly, and Curtis' other master works have been neglected. In "We People who are Darker than Blue" when he refers to 'high yellow gal,' he is not talking about Asians -- high yella is a reference to a light-skinned Black person. Also, a lot of Curtis' work was Black-centric, so it's okay for Miss Black America to be about a celebration of Black women without it having to be about 'everybody' which it clearly is not. Again, thank you for this reaction.
Ty! I had been wanting to listen to this for a while. Ty for the info as well!
@@JustJP Another great one is Roots Curtis. Every song is a banger!
Donnie Hathaway's album 'Extension Of A Man' would be a great followup to this album someday if you dig this kind of groove.
A vintage classic. Still sounds great after all these years. The Makings of You, Move On Up, We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue, and Wild and Free are all top notch. A couple of other unusual but exceptional Soul gems from this era (that were largely forgotten by the public) would be: Rotary Connection's "Hey, Love" and Minnie Riperton's debut "Come To My Garden", both produced and arranged by Charles Stepney.
One of those classic albums that envelops you in an early 70s atmosphere: the good and the bad. Classic shirt, too! Theme songs? Hmm, I still know the words to _The_ _Beverly_ _Hillbillies_ and _Green_ _Acres_ shows - not sure if that's a good thing - and Mouret's "Fanfare" from the older _Masterpiece_ _Theatre_ seasons was sometimes the best part of the cheesier episodes.
Ooo Green Acres is a good one!
So, now it's time to get your dad's Superfly vinyl out. My best bud sent me CDs of two super vibey soundtracks - Superfly and Trouble Man by Marvin Gaye. Just some very fine 70's funky vibes. Put Isaac Hayes' Shaft soundtrack with these two and you've got yourself a couple hours of funked out bliss.
And it looks like my prediction - from a few days ago - that I would enjoy all the Long Song Saturdays this month is so far coming true.
Thanks for this rousing good time, but imma take a nap now...
Ty Habichiwoo🤗
Just fabulous. Thanks JP
I'm not much of a soulboy, but Curtis is an exception. (Don't Worry) If There Is a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go...whoa! The beat, the relentless bass, that sweet voice swirling.
Funnily enough, I listened to this album just over a week ago!😀 By the way, The Jam covered "Move on Up" in 1982 and their version is not dissimilar to the original.
It's a good one, but personally I'm more into The Temptations, whose aptly named Masterpiece from 1973 you might try one day.😉
Perfect timing! Ty Ak
To respond to your question on "Move on Up" being stretched out to 9 minutes - I don’t mind it at all! But I wonder if it might have been even more effective if it were the last song on the album, like how Stevie Wonder ended Songs in the Key of Life by riding out the incredible groove and hook of "Another Star" into the sunset for 8:28, giving you that "I never want it to end" feeling.
Amazing album. Look forward to watching your review.
Hi JP. DP from UK. Terrific album; fantastic instrumentation, especially the horns; unmistakable vocals; and Move On Up is one of the all-time classic soul songs. You asked, How Long should the album version of this song be. I agree that the length is fine, with the jazzy work-outs, but I would have preferred Curtis to return to round it off.
P.S. my song ref How Long is by Ace feat. Paul Carrack.
I wasn't expecting to like. I'm glad I gave Curtis a chance. By the end becomes less exciting, but we have a solution for it: Play it again, Mayfield.
Favorite theme songs, musically:
The Jetsons
Perry Mason
Hawaii 5-O
And, comfort themes - meaning, as soon as I hear it, my whole body (and soul) just relaxes, ready to enjoy a great show:
M*A*S*H
NYPD Blue
Next full album: Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie Wonder)...
Freddie’s Dead and Superfly 👍👍👍
I know this is not a tv show but a movie. But the main theme from taxi slaps
Love this album ❤
Curtis played guitar, Henry Gibson on percussion. Isaac Hayes, “Hot Buttered Soul” please
Fabulous Album!
I enjoyed that, but the subscribed button seems to be stuck and kind of greyed out, so doesn't look like I'll be able to do that. Oh hang on, it's gone black again. But now it says "Subscribe". (Since I lied a little, parts of that story might not be entirely convincing).
Musically I liked it better when it was nice and weird (such as at the beginning) than when it began to turn more generally "60's/70's TV compatible" - music for everyone, including the old folk none too impressed with all the noisy stuff by the youngsters who "can't sing properly and just shout". A whole record based off how it started might've gotten a bit demanding (although the easy cure for that is to just listen again, when you've recovered).
I also find the "Tales of Crushing Defeat" approach more "realistic" (and maybe even more appealing in a twisted kind of way) than the idea that if you just keep on trying, you'll get a different result next time. Life is about carrying on, even though you know it's not going to work out this time, yet again. It's OK. If you attacked the brick wall, of course it's still standing. The point is mainly to attack it, not to knock it down (nice as it is when sometimes one manages the impossible again, this way). The Impossible is always impossible, but sometimes it gets tired of the tiny little ants that keep biting it in spite of that.
But that might be a minority point of view. ("I am just a shrew, and that's all I'll ever be. But that snake they've fed me to? I'm going to bite the bugger. Might die for it. Good.")
Buried Alive: Tales of Crushing Defeat. You still have to get around to that one. But maybe wait till the title puts a smile containing some solidarity on your face.
Socially/ politically, to me he hits the right kind of balance between identity plus self affirmation (in a context of historical oppression right to the extent where a little girl was not even officially allowed to become beautiful one day) and a generous welcome-to-all. In our context that would be more like "the Mandela way" than the "Blackfirst-Landfirst way" (which is perilously close to being just a variant of a way of thinking that was popular in Germany in the 1930's). There's room in the world for all of us. I like it. A foundation of kindness and common sense. Whatever else, built on top of that and based on it. It allows for all sorts of "contradictions" without having to break or distort into something ugly.
Felt a little left out on the intro…
Some the mixture of strings,horns,harp etc. reminds me of Alice Coltrane. I listen to Alice and Carlos Santana’s Illuminations album periodically and chill down, transcendental.
Munsters theme, Addams Family theme, Monkees, Kids In The Hall, True Blood, Hung… I’m weird.
I would have flipped the order of Wild and Free and Give It Up… just saying.
You haven't heard Superfly? LOL
Move on up (live version)
czcams.com/video/nDRITpw-y3k/video.htmlsi=_cLLCmU_unjH9lDI