Search - Curtis Mayfield :: Essentials

A lucky acquisition

Christopher Craig | San Antonio, TX | 04/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I picked this "essentials" collection up at a drugstore, on cassette tape no less. I was in the checkout line when I spotted one of those revolving cassette displays, the type you see at truck stops or convenience stores. This cassette tape caught my eye. Since I am one of the few poor souls left in this country without a CD player in my vehicle, I thought I might as well pick it up so I could have some good grooves to listen to as I drive around. It turned out to be the best $5.00 I've spent this year. I knew who Curtis was - I own the "Superfly" CD- and I was aware of his influence in the pop/soul/rock genres, but admittedly I wasn't very familiar with his work outside of Superfly. So I picked up the tape, and now I play it in my truck constantly. I don't even bother with the radio. So it may not be "essentials" to those Curtis fans who are very familiar wth his works, but to me this collection is just fine. It has put a smile on my face on the way to and from work, and I just love every track on here ("Can't Say Nothin'" is my favorite, but they're all great). You younger folks out there, take heed- Curtis Mayfield has influenced so many modern musicians (Prince and Lenny Kravitz come to mind, but there's many more), it's impossible to list them all. Thanks for giving my days a lift, Curtis, and rest in peace."

Shamefully skimpy

R. Riis | NY | 08/12/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Essential? For virtually the same price you can get Rhino's "Very Best of" with 16 tracks and a better presentation. Don't let some marketing whiz convince you to add this to your collection. This music is essential, this CD is not."