Curtis Mayfield Roots

Curtis Mayfield - Roots (1971) {Remastered and Expanded Curtom-Rhino R2 75569 rel 1999}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 352 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 126 Mb
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© 1971, 1999 Curtom Records / Rhino | R2 75569
R&B / Chicago Soul / Funk / Soul

Roots is Curtis Mayfield's visionary album, a landmark creation every bit as compelling and far-reaching in its musical and extra-musical goals as Marvin Gaye's contemporary What's Goin' On. Opening on the hit "Get Down," the album soars on some of the sweetest and most eloquent – yet driving – soul sounds heard up to that time. Mayfield's growing musical ambitions, first manifested on the Curtis album, and his more sophisticated political sensibilities, presented with a lot of raw power on Curtis Live!, are pulled together here in a new, richer studio language, embodied in extended song structures ("Underground"), idealistic yet lyrically dazzling anthems ("We Got to Have Peace," "Keep On Keeping On," and, best of all, the soaring "Beautiful Brother of Mine"), and impassioned blues ("Now You're Gone").

Curtis Mayfield recorded a string of hits with The Impressions before leaving the influential soul-gospel group to embark upon a solo career that began 50 years ago and produced some of his greatest work. Known as the "Gentle Genius," Mayfield has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice - first as a member of The Impressions and later as a solo artist.

Original Album Series contains Curtis Mayfield's first five solo albums: Curtis (1970), Curtis Live! (1971), Roots (1971), Back to the World (1973), and Sweet Exorcist (1974). As with other Original Album Series packages, each disc is in a paper, LP replica-style sleeve with reproductions of the front and back sides. With the release of Original Album Series by Curtis Mayfield you get 5 Cds by the man himself It really is wonderful bargain.Unlike other sets these have not been re mastered and DO NOT include any extra tracks which is a shame.But then Curtis Mayfield produced each and every one of the five so I suspect that there was no need for them to be remastered as the sound was good to begin with.

Disco may have been a dirty word as the 70's came to a close but during the 80's its influence on much of this selection helped create some of the greatest dance music recorded. As a poet and philsopher once said, 'Lets Groove Tonight'…..

The popularity of classic soul and 70s disco endures, and no wonder! There's little better to lift the spirit and get your feet moving. GREATEST EVER SOUL & DISCO is a fantastic collection of 80 tracks that hit the sweet spot. Classic late-70s disco by KC & The Sunshine Band, Sister Sledge, Chaka Khan, and The Trammps? All here. Soulful sounds from Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Randy Crawford and Candy Staton? Present and correct. Funky grooves by The Meters, Bootsy Collins and Earth Wind & Fire? Ah yeah! As Chic said, "these are the good times"!

Altoist Maceo Parker has spent most of his career in R&B funk bands, most notably those led by James Brown, George Clinton, and Bootsy Collins. This CD gave him a chance to stretch out as a leader, and his soulful horn immediately brings to mind Hank Crawford and (to a lesser extent) Lou Donaldson. With a strong backup group that includes Pee Wee Ellis on tenor, trombonist Fred Wesley, and Don Pullen on organ, Parker enthusiastically plays over infectious grooves with just one funky departure ("In Time"). Roots Revisited is a throwback to the 1960s soul-jazz style and Maceo Parker gives one the impression that, if called upon, he could hold his own on a bebop date.