The late Curtis Mayfield was, and continues to be THE resounding voice for the oppressed, the displaced subcultures, the tormented, troubled and trapped among us. His soulful, funkacious music screams of perseverance, of tenacity...of breaking the shackles that bind us.
His music is a beacon in the night for so many. His lyrics are are combination of frightening stories and ironic, biting poetry. He breathed music. He was a vessel, a conduit to a world in trouble. His voice, in its gentle tenor, is legendary. He was for real.
The first selection, "Move On Up," is one of the most powerful, blood-boiling, action-inspiring songs that I've ever experienced. The orchestration is fully natural, rich -- the percussion (full set, including congas hammered like an express train across a country) is intense. Gooseflesh. The first time I heard it, I envisioned trapped anger, caged energy -- Soul On Ice. But it made me see a sun on the distant horizon. The song is raw power. It is as immortal as Curtis' soul. It is absolutely timeless and perpetually relevant.
The second selection, "Superfly," was a wonderful breakthrough into the mainstream world of pop and rock of ghetto soul. It was 1970s... replete with wah-wah pedal, screaming bent guitar notes like a mosquito invasion with a Jimi Hendrix distortion on high. The movie, "An American Gangster," featuring Denzel Washington, came into being years after the song by Curtis; the story was the same one. Listen to the notes of the signature bass line (key of D). If you play those notes on any instrument, for anybody who listened to Top 40 radio in the United States during the 1970s, they will say, "that's 'Superfly,' isn't it? Smile.
Enjoy these two classics. Let them wake you up and inspire you. Don't ever, ever give up. Don't let the enemy win. It's a fight, but you're on the side of the right.
In loving memory of my old college friend and mentor, Robert, who died too young by his own choice. And in honor of my beloved Jiordan, Leslie, Andrea and Penny. I have great faith that you will change this world for the better.
Through Whatever Comes,
Dazz*
* Occasionally referred to by some as "Dad."
Other Blogs:
http://aboutDouglasCastle.blogspot.com
http://SendingSignals.blogspot.com
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MOVE ON UP - Curtis Mayfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z66wVo7uNw
SUPERFLY - Curtis Mayfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cmo6MRYf5g&feature=related
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