Curtis and the gang want you to know, that a train to Jordan is coming and you should be ready. So act accordingly people.
Curtis and the gang want you to know, that a train to Jordan is coming and you should be ready. So act accordingly people.
When Curtis Mayfield released what would be his last album in 1997, New World Order, the most outstanding track on the album for me was “Here But I’m Gone”. The track was produced by Organized Noize, who contributed a few tracks to the album. It was amazing, it showed Curtis’ ability to reflect on the depth of humanity even after being paralyzed. The played the track non-stop for months. Being a Bjork fan, when the Mod Squad soundtrack came out a couple years later and finding out it had a remix to “Alarm Call” which was previously unavailable I decided to pick it up. And to my surprise the Curtis song was included on the soundtrack, however this time Ms Lauryn Hill had lent a contribution. So how do you make a great song even better? You add one of the most dynamic and talented female vocalists and emcees of our time to the mix. Curtis Mayfield + Organized Noize + Lauryn Hill = pure musical magic……
The praises for Curtis Mayfield’s music could be sung for a lifetime and it still wouldn’t be enough. He is without question one of the most incredible singer/song writers of any time. Hen wrote music with meaning and passion that few ever really practice. Curtis had already penned a lot of music during the civil rights movements of the 60s while with the Impressions. In 1970 when he embarked on his solo career, this practice did not stop. The tracks “(Don’t Worry) If There’s Hell Below We’re All Gonna Go” and “Move On Up” were the singles from his self-titled debut album, however, it was this track that always stood out to me? I wasn’t fortunate enough to grow up in the 60s and 70s, which is where my musical tastes seem to linger 90% of the time. However, the years later when I picked up the album for the first time, I kept replaying this song over and over and over. Like much of Curtis’ music it was haunting, a chilling introspect into the mind of a man who pleaded with people instead of instruction. Curtis had a way of pulling at your heart strings, he spoke with truth and honesty. He music blended seamlessly with his words, creating wholesome songs that will be just as important 500 years from now as it was when they were penned. If we make it that long……