Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.
Superfly
Curtom (1972)
Selected by Mike Elliott
The sound of the 1970s cannot be fully represented unless Superfly is included. The rapid thump of the bongos, the waka-jawaka of the wah-wah pedal, the walking bass, and the sweet falsetto of Curtis Mayfield telling hard truths without judgment or sensationalism. Expanding on his self-titled solo debut from two years earlier, Mayfield crafted a masterpiece of urban funk and R&B while shining a light on the issues of the inner-city with a journalist's eye for detail and the heart of someone who's witnessed those struggles firsthand.
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