- Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Special Offers and Product Promotions
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Track Listings
| 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' |
Editorial Reviews
Back To The World is a powerful concept album dealing with America's social issues, the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the environment (years before it became fashionable), as well as Curtis' optimism for the future. 7 total tracks. Charly. 2005.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This has always been one of my favorite Curtis Mayfield albums, even though I don't think its his most popular (and it often goes out of print.) The reason is because its just so darn tight and funky - - yet political (in that distinct Curtis Mayfield) way too. The tracks are so tight, its incredible... and not only is it heavy funk - - but its a distinct type of funk that only Curtis was playing (and that's hard to describe for the uninitiated.) - - I don't know how to describe it... 100% Curtis = 94% JB, 6% Bob Marley ??? Really, you have to listen...
Overall, this is a great album because on one hand the instrumental tracks are kicking -- even if you're not dancing, you can't help but move, however, if you listen to it just for the lyrics, you can follow Mayfield's lyrics from begining to end... in part because he had a unique style of lyric writing too that made him more of a political poet or even a pre-hip hop rapper more than a simple soul wailer or crooner (as was common in that era.) Throughout the album Mayfield's status as a visionary and artist becomes clearer and clearer as he paints pictures and makes you think and wonder. Consider the opening track BACK IN THE WORLD, with its pumping bass and drums, lush violins, wa wa guitars, and funky horns about a Vietname Vet who dreams of coming back to the U.S. but finds life quite a bit different than what he was expecting... Mayfield pleads his case passionately and emotionally by putting you in his mind, yet the tune is also so damn funky you don't know how to respond. The music makes you want to dance... but the message makes you both sad and angry at the same time. And at the same time he also has that unique style of rhythm guitar as well !
Overall this is an intense album. Some people were blown away by other artists who were delivering political messages at that time... like Marvin Gay and Gil Scott Heron - - but after hearing this album you'll realize that Curtis (the guy who laid down the ultimately controversial "Mighty Mighty Spade and Whitey" and "SUPERFLY" soundtrack which provided social commentary on the film at the same time you watched it) *WAS* the man ! ! !
Overall, this is a great album because on one hand the instrumental tracks are kicking -- even if you're not dancing, you can't help but move, however, if you listen to it just for the lyrics, you can follow Mayfield's lyrics from begining to end... in part because he had a unique style of lyric writing too that made him more of a political poet or even a pre-hip hop rapper more than a simple soul wailer or crooner (as was common in that era.) Throughout the album Mayfield's status as a visionary and artist becomes clearer and clearer as he paints pictures and makes you think and wonder. Consider the opening track BACK IN THE WORLD, with its pumping bass and drums, lush violins, wa wa guitars, and funky horns about a Vietname Vet who dreams of coming back to the U.S. but finds life quite a bit different than what he was expecting... Mayfield pleads his case passionately and emotionally by putting you in his mind, yet the tune is also so damn funky you don't know how to respond. The music makes you want to dance... but the message makes you both sad and angry at the same time. And at the same time he also has that unique style of rhythm guitar as well !
Overall this is an intense album. Some people were blown away by other artists who were delivering political messages at that time... like Marvin Gay and Gil Scott Heron - - but after hearing this album you'll realize that Curtis (the guy who laid down the ultimately controversial "Mighty Mighty Spade and Whitey" and "SUPERFLY" soundtrack which provided social commentary on the film at the same time you watched it) *WAS* the man ! ! !
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This one's my favorite Curtis Mayfield release after Superfly.It was originally released in 1973 and was required listening during my days in the US Army. Oh what great memories! Highly recommended!!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I played this album on the air at Utapao Royal Thai Naval Air Force Base in 1973 and 1974 over the American Forces Radio and Television station. Most of us knew this album because it was about a Vietnam Vet coming back to the States. Curtis Mayfield was a great musician and a wonderful human being. He is missed.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Curtis
Nice hits! Great soundtracks that have been remixed. Great sounding hits. I would recommend this for purchase. You will like it
Published 3 months ago by John
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD
I missed this music from my millitary days of the Vietnam era and the MESSAGES AND LOVE SONGS OF THOSE DAYS. The CD tracked and sounded great, a great buy. Miss you Curtis.
Published 11 months ago by Rodney A. Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Getting Back Into The Swing In More Ways Than One
Within Curtis Mayfield's world and beyond so much was different in the year or so following Superfly. Read more
Published on October 27, 2010 by Andre S. Grindle
3.0 out of 5 stars
Back to the World
It has some good songs like "Back to the World" and "Future Shock" but it seems like a bit of a disappointment as a follow-up to "Superfly". Read more
Published on May 14, 2010 by Alan R. Farber
5.0 out of 5 stars
curtis at his poetic best
I remember when I was a child studying the album cover of "Back to the World", just like I studied the cover of "Superfly". I consider myself Curtis Mayfield's biggest fan. Read more
Published on April 21, 2010 by Salayo Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT
What fascinates me about Curtis Mayfield--well, NASA scientists can't count that high.
But one most important element is that when soul and funk seemed two schools that... Read more
But one most important element is that when soul and funk seemed two schools that... Read more
Published on March 2, 2010 by Bill Your 'Free Form FM Print DJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Follow Up to Superfly
I really loved this album and have always thought it was a great follow up to his masterpiece Superfly. Read more
Published on November 13, 2009 by M. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless Lyrics
This album may be one of the hidden jewels of the music industry. Curtis Mayfield is absolutely brilliant with his arrangements here. Read more
Published on August 26, 2009 by W. B. Barshes
4.0 out of 5 stars
(3.5 stars) A bit of a letdown but still good
This isn't as good as the tremendous efforts that came before it, but it's worth hearing anyway. Mayfield had a pretty big hit here with the funky groove of "Future Shock"; the... Read more
Published on November 18, 2007 by finulanu
5.0 out of 5 stars
right on for the darkness
This record has my alltime favorite curtis tune, and I love a whole lot of curtis tunes to death. When he says "it's the educated people... Read more
Published on September 16, 2006 by Johnny Thursday
