Good heavens, this compilation is outstanding.
The Curtom Story is a two-disc set of solid 1960s and 1970s soul and funk curated and created by the too-often overlooked Curtom label founded by none other than Curtis Mayfield. He’d been inspired by Sam Cooke, a producer of his own stuff, and knew that he could tell the stories he wanted to tell in the midst of the Vietnam War era Chicago. His label went through a couple iterations, “Windy C” and “Mayfield” before teaming up with Eddie Thomas to create “Curtom.” Mayfield was also about to leave his band, The Impressions, and launch a mega-solo career singing about stuff happening in his neighborhoods and black neighborhoods around the nation.
That started with his stunning soundtrack to 1972’s Superfly, so it’s appropriate that the compilation opens with the title track. Following it is the bad ass “Superpeople” by The Notations, from Curtom’s sublabel Gemigo. Following it are three more Mayfield cuts from the Superfly soundtrack, the sublimely groovy and starkly real “Pusherman,” the lush string section-led “Eddie Should Know Better,” and the bass-bombing “Freddie’s Dead.”
Jesse Anderson‘s “Readings in Astrology” speaks right to the hippie and New Age movements emerging in the 1960s, and his instrumental “Mighty Mighty” gets your attention right away. The Five Stairsteps were a band Mayfield discovered back in the Windy C days. They were wildly popular in the Chicago music scene, and it’s easy to hear why with tracks like “Don’t Change Your Love” (that bass line!), “Danger! She’s a Stranger,” and “Stay Close to Me.” The Fascinations warn, in soul-pop fashion, that “Girls Are out to Get You.” Where is happening? Inquiring minds want to know. Brooks Brothers‘ instrumental “Come See” is followed by Jamo Thomas & His Party Orchestra taking a fun jab at J. Edgar Hoover with “I Spy (for the FBI).”
The Fascinations, The Five Stairsteps, and Mayfield then return. First comes the gorgeous “Can’t Stay Away from You,” then the science fiction-flavored “Love’s Happening, and then the smooth “Give Me Your Love.” The 12″ single version of Linda Clifford‘s “Runaway Love” will be on your house music mixes from now on (and clearly inspired Jamiroquai). Leroy Hutson‘s “Never Know What You Can Do (Give It a Try)” sounds like a great blend of Earth, Wind & Fire, Parliament, and Chicago. Arnold Blair‘s “Trying to Get Next to You” is a foot-tapping soul jam. Hutson returns for the somewhat lounge “Lucky Fellow,” and Clifford comes back to finish the first disc with “I Can’t Let This Good Thing Get Away.”
Disc two starts off (and ends) with more Curtis Mayfield tracks. First up we have the gooey, groovy “Billy Jack” and then the bad-ass “Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here.” Leroy Hutson’s “Blackberry Jam” is a tasty jam indeed that you’ll want to spread on everything. Two great cuts from the legendary Mavis Staples are next – “Chocolate City” and “Koochie, Koochie, Koochie.” The 12″ version of Fred Wesley‘s “House Party” is a fun cut, and Linda Clifford comes back to encourage her sisters to set men straight (“‘Cause as long as you let them get away with it, they’re gonna do it.”) and “Don’t Give It Up.” Hutson’s “So Nice” is a cool jam for walking on rain-wet Chicago streets on an autumn night. Natural Four‘s “Free” asks “Why can’t we live in harmony?” through great harmonies by the band.
The Five Stairsteps return with the lovely “World of Fantasy,” and, speaking of lovely, June Conquest‘s “All I Need” is just that with lyrics like “There’s nothing that I couldn’t do with a love inspired by you.” Marvin Smith‘s “Who Will Do Your Running Now?”, meanwhile, is a takedown of a lover who’s done him wrong. The horn section on Major Lance‘s “Little Young Lover” is top-notch. The Five Stairsteps’ “Your Love Has Changed Me” is a story of how our idea of love changes as we age.
Jesse Anderson comes back for the hopeful “Let Me Back In,” The Impressions return for the snappy beat-filled “First Impressions,” and Mayfield ends with compilation with “Tripping Out” – a song that oozes funk and groove.
There isn’t a bad track on this. Don’t hesitate to get it if you can find it.
Keep your mind open.
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