[2019-02-22] Curtis Mayfield "Keep On Keeping On: Curtis Mayfield Studio Albums 1970-1974" 4CD box set (Curtom/Rhino)

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:31 pm

Description
Curtis Mayfield recorded a string of hits with The Impressions before leaving the influential soul-gospel group to embark upon a solo career that began 50 years ago and produced some of his greatest work. Known as the "Gentle Genius," Mayfield has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice - first as a member of The Impressions and later as a solo artist.

Rhino will spotlight Mayfield's early solo career in a collection that includes newly remastered versions of his first four studio albums: Curtis (1970), Roots (1971), Back to the World (1973) and Sweet Exorcist (1974). KEEP ON KEEPING ON: CURTIS MAYFIELD STUDIO ALBUMS 1970-1974 will be available on February 22.

"Curtis Mayfield was my husband and we were a team, so it's an especially happy occasion to see these songs featured in a new boxed set on what would be Curtis' 50th anniversary as a solo artist," says Altheida (Mrs. Curtis) Mayfield. "He passed 20 years ago this year and the family has and continues to lovingly support and share his musical legacy with the world."

Mayfield was only 14 years old when he joined The Impressions in 1956. He spent the next 14 years with the group, writing many of their hits: "Gypsy Woman," "It's All Right" and "People Get Ready," a classic that's earned a number of prestigious accolades, including induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

Mayfield left the group in 1970 and launched his solo career with his debut album, Curtis. The album reached the Billboard Pop Albums Chart Top 20 and was certified gold. It features "(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below, We're All Going To Go," a hit in the U.S., and "Move On Up," which charted in the U.K. In terms of cultural significance, the album's potent combination of socially conscious lyrics and soul/funk music helped blaze a trail for later albums like Marvin Gaye's What's Going On and Stevie Wonder's Innervisions.

Mayfield returned in 1971 with Roots. His second solo album peaked at #6 on the R&B Albums chart thanks to memorable tracks like "Get Down," "Beautiful Brother Of Mine" and "We Got To Have Peace." This new collection, KEEP ON KEEPING ON, is named for a song on that album.

Following the enormous success of his Super Fly soundtrack in 1972, Mayfield released his third solo record, Back to the World in 1973. It topped the R&B Albums chart and introduced fans to great tracks like "Future Shock," "Can't Say Nothin'" and "If I Were Only A Child Again." The final album in this new set is Sweet Exorcist (1974), which reached #2 on the Top R&B Albums chart. It produced two singles, the title track and "Kung Fu."

Tracklist
[CD1: Curtis (1970)]
1. (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below, We're All Going To Go
2. The Other Side Of Town
3. The Makings Of You
4. We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue
5. Move On Up
6. Miss Black America
7. Wild And Free
8. Give It Up

[CD2: Roots (1971)]
1. Get Down
2. Keep On Keeping On
3. Underground
4. We Got To Have Peace
5. Beautiful Brother Of Mine
6. Now You're Gone
7. Love To Keep You In My Mind

[CD3: Back To The World (1973)]
1. Back To The World
2. Future Shock
3. Right On For The Darkness
4. Future Song (Love A Good Woman, Love A Good Man)
5. If I Were Only A Child Again
6. Can't Say Nothin'
7. Keep On Trippin'

[CD4: Sweet Exorcist (1974)]
1. Ain't Got Time
2. Sweet Exorcist
3. To Be Invisible
4. Power To The People
5. Kung Fu
6. Suffer
7. Make Me Believe In You

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KLS2XDZ/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07KLS2XDZ/?tag=imwanca-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KLS2XDZ/?tag=imwan-21

stanner · **Joined:** 26 Aug 2014 **Posts:** 119

Ordered. If it’s garbage I’ll cancel, but Mayfield is superb enough to roll the dice on.

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

stanner wrote:

Ordered. If it’s garbage I’ll cancel, but Mayfield is superb enough to roll the dice on.

The title says it is the studio albums up to 1974. The music is not garbage.

stanner · **Joined:** 26 Aug 2014 **Posts:** 119

eelkiller wrote:

stanner wrote:

Ordered. If it’s garbage I’ll cancel, but Mayfield is superb enough to roll the dice on.

The title says it is the studio albums up to 1974. The music is not garbage.

Are they remastered, are there bonus tracks, rare mixes included...

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Jan 12, 2019 3:15 pm

The UK pre-order link is active now (and is currently a better pre-order price than the USA):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KLS2XDZ/?tag=imwan-21

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

stanner wrote:

eelkiller wrote:

stanner wrote:

Ordered. If it’s garbage I’ll cancel, but Mayfield is superb enough to roll the dice on.

The title says it is the studio albums up to 1974. The music is not garbage.

Are they remastered, are there bonus tracks, rare mixes included...

If not then the value decreases as we already have two excellent Mofi releases plus the Rhino 2 CD Super Fly.

hbsbla · **Joined:** 18 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 615

I have the first three solo albums w/ bonus tracks, and the box set, all featuring excellent remastering by Rhino. The first three solo albums (Curtis, Roots, and SuperFly) are must-own.

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2019 12:38 am

We now have the box set's description and tracklist in the first post. No bonuses, but all four albums have been newly remastered for 2019.

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

I realize Super Fly is a soundtrack but it is essential Curtis and fits the time frame. I don't get it.

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

eelkiller wrote:

I realize Super Fly is a soundtrack but it is essential Curtis and fits the time frame. I don't get it.

It definitely should be included.

stanner · **Joined:** 26 Aug 2014 **Posts:** 119

Bush league reissue. I just canceled my order.

phenri · 18 Dec 2007

No Super Fly, no dice. I cancelled my order as well.

RoyalScam · 04 Oct 2006

phenri wrote:

No Super Fly, no dice. I cancelled my order as well.

No Super Fly, no bonus tracks...glad I never PLACED an order!

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

This budget album collection also lacks Super Fly.

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DDVPXSW/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DDVPXSW/?tag=imwan-21

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Jan 20, 2019 7:18 pm

hbsbla wrote:

I have the first three solo albums w/ bonus tracks, and the box set, all featuring excellent remastering by Rhino. The first three solo albums (Curtis, Roots, and SuperFly) are must-own.

The only thing I’m curious about regarding this new set is the mastering, and if it will be available as a hi-res download.

NOTE: Perhaps SuperFly (1972) was left off for a future Soundtrack collection, but there were two studio albums from 1974, the second Got to Find a Way (1974) is not included.

Your "NOTE" portion should have been a new post. Editing it into your existing post to talk about the box set's contents, which hadn't yet been announced, makes following the thread conversation confusing.

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:13 pm

Bump: Updated the cover image in the first post to the full packshot.

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

I read some reviews saying the set is worth it just for the last two albums, previous CD versions basically sucked. The 2000 Rhino or Mofis are not to be discarded (bonus stuff, great sound) but for the right price the box is definitely worth getting for Back to the World and Sweet Exorcist.

Good to know, I will add it before the prices rise.

[2019-02-22] Curtis Mayfield "Keep On Keeping On: Curtis Mayfield Studio Albums 1970-1974" 4CD box set (Curtom/Rhino)

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