Mayfield's discography consists of 30 studio albums, including 14 solo albums, 13 albums with The Impressions and three soundtracks. He also released several live albums, compilations and singles. His albums spanned various genres and styles, from gospel-inspired doo-wop to socially conscious soul to psychedelic funk. He was known for his distinctive falsetto voice, his innovative guitar playing and his lyrical themes of love, peace, justice and empowerment.
This article will provide an overview of Mayfield's discography, highlighting some of his most acclaimed and influential albums.
Albums with The Impressions
Mayfield formed The Impressions in 1958 with Jerry Butler, Sam Gooden and brothers Richard and Arthur Brooks. They had their first hit with "For Your Precious Love" in 1958, but Butler soon left the group for a solo career. Mayfield became the lead singer and main songwriter of the group, which was later joined by Fred Cash. The Impressions recorded 13 albums between 1963 and 1970, mostly for ABC-Paramount and later for Curtom. Their albums featured a blend of gospel, soul and pop music, with harmonious vocals and uplifting messages. Some of their most popular songs include "Keep on Pushing", "People Get Ready", "It's All Right", "We're a Winner" and "Choice of Colors".
Some of the most notable albums by The Impressions are:
Keep on Pushing (1964): This album was the first to showcase Mayfield's social awareness and political activism. It featured songs that addressed the civil rights movement, such as the title track, "Amen" and "I Love You (Yeah)". The album reached number eight on the Billboard pop chart and number four on the R&B chart.
People Get Ready (1965): This album was one of the most influential in soul music history. It contained the classic song "People Get Ready", which was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "I Have a Dream" and became an anthem for the civil rights movement. The song has been covered by many artists, such as Bob Marley, Rod Stewart and Alicia Keys. The album also featured other hits such as "Woman's Got Soul", "Meeting Over Yonder" and "I've Been Trying". The album reached number 23 on the pop chart and number one on the R&B chart.
This Is My Country (1968): This album marked a change in direction for The Impressions, as they moved from ABC-Paramount to Curtom and adopted a more funk-oriented sound. It also reflected Mayfield's growing dissatisfaction with the state of America, as he expressed his views on racism, poverty and war. The title track was a defiant statement of pride and patriotism, while other songs such as "They Don't Know" and "Stay Close to Me" dealt with personal issues. The album reached number 107 on the pop chart and number five on the R&B chart.
Solo albums
Mayfield left The Impressions in 1970 to pursue a solo career. He released his debut solo album Curtis in 1970, which was a critical and commercial success. It featured songs that explored topics such as religion, sex, drugs and politics, such as "(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go", "Move On Up" and "We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue". The album reached number 19 on the pop chart and number one on the R&B chart.
Mayfield continued to release solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, experimenting with different musical genres and styles. He also composed and produced soundtracks for several films, such as Super Fly, Claudine and Sparkle, which were among his most successful works. Some of his most notable solo albums are:
Super Fly (1972): This album was the soundtrack for the blaxploitation film of the same name, starring Ron O'Neal as a cocaine dealer. The album was a huge hit, selling over one million copies and topping both the pop and R&B charts. It featured songs that contrasted the glamorous and gritty aspects of the drug trade, such as "Pusherman", "Freddie's Dead" and "Superfly". The album is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential soundtracks of all time.
Back to the World (1973): This album was Mayfield's first after the success of Super Fly. It dealt with the aftermath of the Vietnam War and its impact on African Americans, such as "Back to the World", "Future Shock" and "Right on for the Darkness". The album reached number 16 on the pop chart and number one on the R&B chart.
There's No Place Like America Today (1975): This album was one of Mayfield's most pessimistic and somber works. It reflected his disillusionment with the American society and its problems, such as unemployment, crime, violence and corruption. The album featured songs such as "Billy Jack", "So in Love" and "Hard Times". The album reached number 120 on the pop chart and number 13 on the R&B chart.
Later albums
Mayfield's career declined in the 1980s, as he faced competition from younger artists and changing musical trends. He released several albums that failed to achieve much success, such as We Come in Peace with a Message of Love (1985), Take It to the Streets (1990) and The Return of Superfly (1990). He also suffered a tragic accident in 1990, when a lighting rig fell on him during a concert in Brooklyn, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. He continued to record music despite his disability, using a specially designed wheelchair and studio equipment. He released his final album New World Order in 1996, which featured guest appearances by artists such as Ice-T, Lauryn Hill and Aretha Franklin. The album received positive reviews and reached number 137 on the pop chart and number 24 on the R&B chart.
Mayfield died on December 26, 1999 at the age of 57, due to complications from diabetes. He was mourned by many fans and fellow musicians, who praised his legacy and influence. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1999 and as a member of The Impressions in 1991. He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 and a Grammy Legend Award in 1994. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential artists of all time.
References
: Curtis Mayfield discography - Wikipedia
: Curtis Mayfield Discography Discogs
: Curtis Mayfield Albums and Discography AllMusic
: All Curtis Mayfield Albums, Ranked Best to Worst by Fans
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