{"title":"Curtis Mayfield","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Curtis Mayfield\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCurtis Lee Mayfield was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 3, 1942. He joined the Impressions in 1958 and led the group as principal songwriter and lead vocalist through 1970, writing socially engaged classics including People Get Ready, Keep On Pushing, and We're a Winner. He launched his solo career with Curtis (1970) on his own Curtom Records label and produced the landmark Super Fly soundtrack (1972), which became one of the most acclaimed Black film soundtracks and a defining funk and soul document. On August 13, 1990, he was paralyzed from the neck down when stage lighting fell on him during an outdoor concert in Brooklyn. He continued limited recording while paralyzed (notably New World Order in 1996) before dying on December 26, 1999 in Roswell, Georgia.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMayfield's solo work spans soul, funk, R\u0026amp;B, gospel, and psychedelic soul, with extensive incorporation of social and political consciousness, gospel-influenced vocal arrangements, and innovative funk and soul production. He is widely cited as a foundational influence on soul, funk, hip hop, and contemporary R\u0026amp;B traditions, with extensive sampling of his work across decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCurtis (1970, Curtom)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoots (1971, Curtom)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuper Fly (1972, Curtom) - landmark soundtrack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBack to the World (1973, Curtom)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSweet Exorcist (1974, Curtom)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere's No Place Like America Today (1975, Curtom)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSparkle (1976, Curtom) - soundtrack with Aretha Franklin vocals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew World Order (1996, Warner Bros.) - final studio album\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginal Curtom Records pressings of the Curtis Mayfield solo catalog are foundational items in soul and funk collecting. Multiple anniversary reissues, audiophile pressings (Mobile Fidelity, Speakers Corner), and box sets have been released across the catalog.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Curtis Mayfield typically start with Super Fly (1972) or Curtis (1970). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rnb-soul-vinyl-records\"\u003eR\u0026amp;B And Soul\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"curtis-mayfield-curtis-140g-color-vinyl","title":"Curtis LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe first solo album by the former leader of the Impressions, Curtis represented a musical apotheosis for Curtis Mayfield.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540875751607,"sku":"210000077005","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4162421-2920813.jpg?v=1781154576"},{"product_id":"curtis-mayfield-there-s-no-place-like-america-today-turquoise-vinyl","title":"There's No Place like America Today LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eMayfield's haunting and powerful album that addresses the trials of the time. Unfortunately this record still rings incredibly true today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540875882679,"sku":"210000056055","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/curtis.jpg?v=1781154575"},{"product_id":"curtis-mayfield-curtis-vinyl-180g-import","title":"Curtis LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe first solo album by the former leader of the Impressions, Curtis represented a musical apotheosis for Curtis Mayfield...\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540951838903,"sku":"210000050362","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/mayfield-curtis-curtis-lp.jpg?v=1781154837"},{"product_id":"curtis-mayfield-the-very-best-of-color-vinyl","title":"The Very Best of... 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic career retrospective that speaks to the power of Mayfield's music. A great jumping off point for newcomers who want to get their mind BLOWN.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540979331255,"sku":"210000067209","price":34.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/curtis_924b677b-eed1-480b-8913-4dc1ae847fdd.jpg?v=1781154948"},{"product_id":"curtis-mayfield-curtis-live-vinyl-180g","title":"Curtis\/Live! 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eCurtis\/Live! Is Curtis Mayfield's first live album after leaving the Impressions. Originally released in 1971 as a double LP on Mayfield's Curtom label, the album's 16 tracks along with Mayfield's interstitial raps on the politics of the day were recorded at Paul Colby's 230 seats Bitter End nightclub in New York City.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541068165303,"sku":"210000056825","price":50.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/curtis_ac6d235c-fef0-436c-b9cd-b52b10cef164.jpg?v=1781155285"},{"product_id":"curtis-mayfield-superfly-cd","title":"Superfly CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eCurtis Mayfield's Superfly CD presents essential R\u0026amp;B and soul from the soundtrack. This edition includes all nine album versions along with the single mixes of \"Freddie's Dead\" and \"Superfly.\" It's a clear choice for those who appreciate precision in sound and lyrical sharpness.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785670701239,"sku":"210000050312","price":9.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/269562.jpg?v=1783045608"},{"product_id":"curtis-mayfield-superfly-soundtrack-vinyl-180g","title":"Superfly soundtrack LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe flyest soundtrack from 1972's Super Fly. Full of wah guitar and infectious horn lines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785759928503,"sku":"210000061243","price":33.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/1665520.jpg?v=1783045833"},{"product_id":"curtis-mayfield-move-on-up-vinyl","title":"Move on Up LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eCurtis Mayfield's \"Move on Up LP\" kicks off with a remix by DJ Mark Knight that feels like a shot of espresso on a sluggish morning. It takes the classic soul anthem and injects a dance-worthy beat, making it just as perfect for the club scene as it is for a sunny afternoon. Flip it over for the original track, a reminder that some music ages like fine wine, only getting better with time. This limited pressing on vibrant yellow vinyl is sure to make your turntable pop; both visually and audibly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785915150519,"sku":"210000091735","price":33.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4356042-3199401.jpg?v=1783046276"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/curtis-mayfield.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}