The Anthology 1961-1977

Rating

Album: The Anthology 1961-1977
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Gypsy Woman
2)	Grow Closer Together
3)	Never Let Me Go
4)	Little Young Lover
5)	Minstrel and Queen (Queen Majesty)
6)	I'm the One Who Loves You
7)	Sad, Sad Girl and Boy
8)	It's All Right
9)	Talking About My Baby
10)	I'm So Proud
11)	Keep on Pushing
12)	You Must Believe Me
13)	See the Real Me
14)	Amen
15)	I've Been Trying
16)	People Get Ready
17)	It's Hard to Believe
18)	Woman's Got Soul
19)	Meeting Over Yonder
20)	I Need You
21)	You've Been Cheatin'
22)	Man, Oh Man - (previously unreleased)
23)	Can't Satisfy
24)	We're a Winner
25)	I Loved and I Lost
26)	We're Rolling On (Pt. 1)
1)	Fool for You
2)	This Is My Country
3)	Choice of Colors
4)	Check Out Your Mind
5)	Move on Up
6)	(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go
7)	Makings of You, The
8)	Beautiful Brother of Mine
9)	Freddie's Dead
10)	Superfly
11)	Pusherman
12)	So in Love
13)	Only You Babe - (single edit)
14)	Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here - (single edit)

Album: The Anthology 1961-1977
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Gypsy Woman
2)	Grow Closer Together
3)	Never Let Me Go
4)	Little Young Lover
5)	Minstrel and Queen (Queen Majesty)
6)	I'm the One Who Loves You
7)	Sad, Sad Girl and Boy
8)	It's All Right
9)	Talking About My Baby
10)	I'm So Proud
11)	Keep on Pushing
12)	You Must Believe Me
13)	See the Real Me
14)	Amen
15)	I've Been Trying
16)	People Get Ready
17)	It's Hard to Believe
18)	Woman's Got Soul
19)	Meeting Over Yonder
20)	I Need You
21)	You've Been Cheatin'
22)	Man, Oh Man - (previously unreleased)
23)	Can't Satisfy
24)	We're a Winner
25)	I Loved and I Lost
26)	We're Rolling On (Pt. 1)
1)	Fool for You
2)	This Is My Country
3)	Choice of Colors
4)	Check Out Your Mind
5)	Move on Up
6)	(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go
7)	Makings of You, The
8)	Beautiful Brother of Mine
9)	Freddie's Dead
10)	Superfly
11)	Pusherman
12)	So in Love
13)	Only You Babe - (single edit)
14)	Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here - (single edit)

Performer Notes

Producer: Curtis Mayfield.
Compilation producer: Andy McKaie.
Recorded between 1961 and 1977. Includes liner notes by Robert Pruter.
Digitally remastered by Robert Stoughton (MCA Recording Studios, North Hollywood, California).
Recording information: 07/1961-??/1977.
If Chuck D. is the modern music's incarnation of Malcolm X, then Curtis Mayfield must surely be its Martin Luther King. From the inception of his career, Mayfield has created some of the warmest, most uplifting music that secular soul music has ever offered. ANTHOLOGY focuses mainly on his tenure with The Impressions--his seminal gospel based '60s group. Mayfield's intent was always clear: a ringing message of peace and brotherhood. His message for equality was insistent, yet it came with an open hand rather than a closed fist. The trust in humanity such a stance required during the '60s is evidenced in the beauty of Mayfield's songs.
"Meeting Over Yonder," "Keep on Pushing," and perhaps most importantly, "People Get Ready" overwhelm on musical merit alone. What is most impressive, however, is the power that lies in lack of bitterness or cynicism in these songs. As Mayfield moved on to a solo career, he became even more didactic, practically inventing funk in process with "Freddie's Dead" and "Superfly." He sunk into expansive grooves, displacing the glory '70s drug-induced complacency with wah-wah guitars and loping melodies. ANTHOLOGY ends on a decidedly positive note, which is probably how Mayfield prefers it.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (2/4/93, p.69) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...a remarkable document...this collection connects a decade's worth of gentle Impressions singles with the power and invention of Curtis Mayfield's solo career...a stunning picture..."

Entertainment Weekly (1/29/93, p.57) - "...this set is more than just a long-overdue reissue; it also serves as a vivid mini-history of soul, from '60s vocal harmony through '70s blaxploitation. Essential..." - Rating: A

Musician (6/93, p.94) - "...Even if you already know the big hits, this deeply satisfying two-CD feast holds wondrous delights..."