Mayfield, Curtis - Curtis

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New RecordUPC: 081227965570Curtis Mayfield was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer and one of the most influential musicians in the soul genre and politically -conscience African-American music. He originally achieved success and recognition with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group, The Impressions, and later worked as a solo artist. Mayfield became noted as one of the first musicians to bring more prevalent themes of social awareness into soul music. In 1965, he wrote “People Get Ready” for the Impressions, which displayed his more politically charged songwriting.Mayfield began work on his own self-titled album in 1970. The album’s subject matter incorporates political and social concerns. Like with some of his later Impressions work, Mayfield’s lyrics reflected the social and political concern rising in black America at the time. Mayfield was one of the earliest artists to speak openly about African-American pride and community struggle.The album had a more hard-edged sound than the Impressions had before. The two singles off the album “(Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below, We’re All Going to Go” and “Move on Up” showcased Mayfield’s new funk musical style, while the rest of the tracks were much softer soul-based songs. Curtis sold well at the time charting at #1 on the Billboard Black albums (for 5 nonconsecutive weeks) and #19 on the Billboard Pop albums charts.In 1972, the French Academy of Jazz awarded Mayfield’s Curtis the Prix Otis Redding for best R&B record. Mayfield won a Grammy® Legend Award in 1994 and a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. He was also a two-time Grammy® Hall of Fame inductee. Show more