Editor’s Note: From Albumism’s inception back in 2016, we’ve remained unabashedly and unequivocally passionate about our mission of celebrating the world's love affairs with albums past, present and future.

But while our devotion to the album as an art form has remained steadfast, as evidenced by our deepening repository of individual album tributes and reviews, we’ve admittedly seldom taken the opportunity to explicitly articulate our reverence for the virtues of artists’ complete album repertoires as a whole.

Hence why we’ve decided to showcase what we believe to be the most dynamic discographies of all time in this recurring series. In doing so, we hope to better understand the broader creative context within which our most beloved individual albums exist, while acknowledging the full breadth of their creators’ artistry, career arcs, and overall contributions to the ever-evolving musical landscape.

We hope you enjoy this series and be sure to check here periodically for the latest installments.

CURTIS MAYFIELD

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Raised on the north side of Chicago in the notorious Cabrini-Green projects, Curtis Mayfield spearheaded that city’s soul movement of the 1960s and ‘70s. With his impeccable guitar playing, high tenor/falsetto voice and incredible songwriting, he was a major power in the musical world, but also amidst the struggles for equality that permeated those times (and those since). He is indelibly linked to the Black experience through his music at the respective times of his albums’ releases and the co-opting of it at major moments in black American political life.

Having startled with his songwriting for The Impressions, he embarked upon a solo career that saw him release records that stand shoulder to shoulder with any others of the time. His 1970 debut, Curtis, is one of the greatest albums of all time—it is funky, socially pointed and universal in its lyrical framing. Roots (1971) followed hot on his debut’s heels before he released one of the greatest movie soundtracks of all time—the era defining Superfly (1972). It transcends the Blaxploitation genre to provide the same mix of urban funkiness and socio-political commentary.

Beyond his solo work, he collaborated with many others on his own Curtom label. Most notable though was his work with unique female vocal powerhouses including Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and Mavis Staples. If the mark of an artist is the caliber of those they work with, then Mayfield was the best.

Musically, his work brings me such joy. Its intricately funky guitar work, blasts of horns and cinematic use of strings combine to such huge effect that it is hard not to be moved. Lyrically, he bears witness to the devils of Black urban life without any judgment—he pleads for positivity while acknowledging the pitfalls of a rigged system that chews up Black people and spits them out into the gutter.

The magical combination of funk and message is guaranteed to move the body and engage the brain. It’s such a sweet spot to hit and Mayfield did it with such regularity in both his solo work and the work he did with and for others.

Patrick’s 3 Favorite Curtis Mayfield Albums of All Time:

1. Curtis (1970)
2. Superfly (1972)
3. Back to the World (1973)

Visit Curtis Mayfield’s Official Store

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