Curtis Mayfield's Chicago Soul

Some Soulful Chicago Spirit for a Momentous Day!

J P Ryan: This 1995 CD collects 18 great performances recorded between 1963 and 1965, 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.

Just 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.

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 how deeply felt, unpretentious, sexy, and sad his music remains. Highly recommended.

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