Curtis - CURTIS MAYFIELD****

(Don't Worry)If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go/The Other Side Of Town/The Makings Of You/We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue/Move On Up/Miss Black America/Wild & Free/Give It Up

Curtis was the debut album from soul artist Curtis Mayfield after leaving The Impressions. Many of his songs reflect life in the ghetto. Includes the UK No. 12 hit single Move On Up. (US:19 UK:30)

"He may sing about the ghetto and the spiritual downward spiral of America, but Curtis is an undeniably positive album, displaying a soul that will not be brought down, no matter what opposition the forces of good face."

"This album has soul, and it has attitude, and it's near impossible to say whether it is the man or the music that makes it so great, but my guess would be that it's really the combination of both. I'm not into soul at all, but Curtis Mayfield just compels your ears to listen, and your feet to move. That's all there is to it; it's a bit like magic."

"This is Curtis Mayfield's solo debut and it's a soul masterpiece. After fourteen years as the driving force behind The Impressions, Curtis spreads his wings and soars. Songs like The Other Side Of Town paint a realistic image of ghetto life, while songs such as Move On Up are uplifting, and have probably got many a ghetto youth through another hard day. Then of course there is the beautiful love song The Makings Of You - if you've ever been in love you'll get this one. This record really has it all, songs of social injustices, empowerment and love. Musically it's lush and rich. Curtis Mayfield is probably one of the most influential artists of our time."

"Curtis Mayfield's debut album sets you up for a dark and troubling journey through the racial minefield of American society with its terrifying opening track. However, the following tracks tend towards a syrupy string section, heavy soul numbers, interesting mainly because of Mayfield's incredible voice and his knack for getting right to the heart of an issue with his lyrics."

"His lyrics and voice are touching and heartfelt, enough so that they hit me right in the soul - exactly the way soul music is supposed to. The music follows suit by being lush and beautiful. There are strings and horns everywhere on this album and they are used to perfection."

"On his first solo album he takes on a harder stance and his songs are mostly critical and scathing, rather than the uplifting ones he performed with The Impressions."