>THE BEST SOUL BANDS / ARTISTS OF THE ALL-TIME # 2….CURTIS MAYFIELD Part 2

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This Series of Post’s concerns in my Opinion The Best Bands/Artists of all time.

I will write a Short Bio including  the Band Members/Artist, some Facts and figures, their Histories,  Links, Videos, The Tracks they made Famous, Links to Download etc etc

I will continue the series with one of  the Best Soul Vocalist of all Time…………….CURTIS MAYFIELD.

I have been Posting for nearly 2.5  years now, and Never featured the Great Curtis Mayfield, apart from Featuring his Music in 3 Different Mixes, so its about time I Did!


By 1970 Curtis Mayfield had left The Impressions to begin a Solo Career (that would Eclipse his time with The Impressions)!

Soon after he also, along with Eddie Thomas (Impressions Manager)  formed their own Record Label “Curtom Records” a combination of both of their Names.


Over the years “Curtom” had some Great Recording Artists including : The Five Stairsteps, Donny Hathaway, Linda Clifford, Leroy Hutson, The Natural Four, Staple Singers , The New Impressions and of course Curtis Mayfield.

In 1972 Mayfield released his 3rd Studio Album on “Curtom” it was the Soundtrack to the Movie “Superfly” it was a Pioneering Concept Album, with Songs about Drugs and Poverty!


It featured some Great Tracks including “Freddies Dead” Pusherman and of course the Title Track “Superfly”


The Album Topped the Pop and Black Albums Charts!


In 2003 the Album was voted on VH1 the 63rd Best Album of all Time.


After “Superfly” Curtis Mayfield was asked to Write and Produce for some of the Biggest Stars of the day, including: Gladys Knight and the Pips, Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples.


But sadly Curtom was to Close by 1980, after 10 years in Business!

Between 1970 and 1997 Curtis Mayfield Recorded around 20 Studio Albums, 4 Live Albums and numerous Compilations, He also worked with 4 different Record Labels (apart from Curtom) including RSO, Boardwalk, Buddah and CRC.


Sadly on 13th August 1990 while Performing at an Outdoor Concert in New York, during High Winds, Stage Lighting equipment fell on top of C.M, Crushing him and leaving him Paralysed from the Neck down, it had Broken his spine in 3 places!

He was Unable to do most things and spent several years inactive, but in 1997 he released a New Album “New World Order” which he Recorded while Laying on his Back and Recording one line at a Time!


In 1998 Tragedy was to Strike again, when Diabetes caused CM to have his Right Leg Amputated.


The following year 1999 on Boxing Day, at the Age of 57 years, unfortunately Curtis Mayfield Died. He left a Wife and 9 Children and 7 Grand Children. 

He Recorded some Fantastic Music in his Lifetime, One of my all time Favorite Tracks is “Move On Up” and there’s  the Following: So In Love “Kung Fu” Do Be Down “To Be Invisible” I’m So Proud “Choice of Colours” Gypsy Woman “Its Alright” the List is Endless!


Here are a Few of the Awards , Curtis Mayfield has Won over the Years: Inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 1991, as member of The Impressions,  and as a Solo Artist in 1999,  Won a Grammy Legend Award in 1994, Won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 and in 2004 “Rolling Stone Magazine” Voted Him #99 Best Artist of All time!


DOWNLOAD ALL THE ALBUMS HERE ABOUT 24 OF THEM, I THINK, AND A GREAT IN DEPTH WRITE UP ABOUT CURTIS MAYFIELD!


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