Customer Reviews

Superfly (25th Anniversary Deluxe Ed.)

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In the film, Priest, a coke dealer, is trying to make one last big score and retire. Curtis Mayfield's score is like another charcater, something of a greek chorus. While the movie glorifies the underworld and makes Priest into a hero, Mr. Mayfield's music tells of the trouble that comes from using and dealing drugs and acts as the film's conscience. Songs like "Freddie's Dead", "Eddie You Should Have Known Better", "Pusherman" & "Superfly" deal with particular charcaters from the movie, but they are so good and stand up on their own, you don't have to see the movie to get them. Mr. Mayfield's combination of Funk, Soul, Rock & Latin rhythms have influenced countless musicians from Eric Clapton to Lenny Kravitz and many rappers. He employs his sweet falsetto and innovative guitar work to their fullest on the album. This compliation has a second disk which has mostly instrumental versions of the album's songs, but ends with a lenghty interview with Mr. Mayfield that makes it worth shelling a couple extra dollars for this version of a great, great record.

These days, the movie soundtrack amounts to little more than a commercial tie-in, and others have a good amount of material that's not even featured in the films they represent. But Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack to the 1972 film "Superfly" is a standard-bearing classic, and it's quite possibly the most vivid character in the entire film. One needn't see the movie to appreciate this album (though it helps), which is centered around the theme of the drug trade and the repercussions it has on inner cities. From the first note, Mayfield blows you away. The soulful swagger of "Freddy's Dead," the achingly beautiful "Little Child Runnin' Wild," and the tender and sensual love jam "Give Me Your Love" show why "Superfly" is one of most influential albums of all time. Soul rarely gets better than this. On the deluxe edition, we get one disc of the remastered recording, and the other disc has instrumentals, unreleased material, ad spots, and we are even treated to Mayfield giving his $.02 on "Superfly" the film and the making of its soundtrack. This album is a must-own to begin with, but the second disc of bonus material makes it all the more irresistible. If you don't have this album, get the deluxe edition. If you have the original version, then you should make the upgrade and still get it. "Superfly" is an incredible masterpiece that could very well be the definitive soundtrack.

The late, great, Curtis Mayfield's Superfly soundtrack may be the best soundtrack album ever. Why? 1) because it works standing alone on its musical and lyrical merits; and 2) because it works when played/heard in the context of the movie itself.
As to 1) the music is still fresh and meaningful - even now, 32 years after the film was first released. It can be said of Curtis Mayfield's music and lyrical poetry that he 'kept it real' (Choice of Colors, Keep on Pushing, etc.) even before the phrase was invented and well before it became a hackneyed cliche. From Little Child Runnin Wild to Pusherman, Freddie's Dead, to Superfly itself - the combination of Mayfield's voice, his guitar work, the beat, and his lyrics sounds as fresh today as they did when I first saw the movie many, many years ago.
As to 2) the music as a soundtrack to one of the big Blaxploitation films of its day served as a startling contrast to the film itself. The drug-dealing Superfly, Ron O'Neal, was built up (at least in my neighborhood) as an inconoclastic hero of his age. But, Mayfield's music, while complementing the movie's ploit line also served as a grim reality check for anyone taking the time to actually listen to the lyrics. This counterbalance made the film far better than it would have been without a soundtrack because it served to say hey - Superfly might be one cool guy - but remember - Freddy's Dead. The music served (as another reviewer suggested in comments on the non-deluze edition) as a Greek Chorus that kept providing the movie with musical reality checks.

This may be some of Mayfield's best work. To me at least it has stood the test of time.

I love the music, but I wish I'd bought the original soundtrack instead of the anniversary edition, which is really for hardcore fans. Why would I want to listen to two slightly different versions of "Freddie's Dead" and "Superfly" on the same CD? Not worth the extra money.

No serious music fan can be without some version of _Superfly_, it's really that simple... I agree with some reviewers here that the second disc in the 25th Annniv. edition isn't all essential material. The one truly essential item on the second disc is "The Underground" (demo). It's insanely great - one of the best, most soulful grooves I've ever heard. A gift from the gods. Finding it is a little like having, say, "Penny Lane" turn up for the first time on one of the Beatles _Anthology_ records.
So... if you are a Curtis M. fan you *have* to have this track.

I remember the first time I saw the movie. It was on latenight TV. The images in this film are so intense, but really its the music (which pulses virtually non stop through the film with each flicker on the screen) that tells the story and carries you through it. Then there was the scene at the night club with Curtis and I thought to myself, Man I hope I can find some albums by this cat !

Well, finally I got the album. I really appreciated the music in the movie, but by itself it was even more powerful. The funky pulsating bass, Curtis Mayfields unique falsetto voice, the sizzling brass and strings, yet that urban jungle funk percussion, the greasy wa wa guitar - - the drama in the chords... The music is and was so different than anything Id ever heard before. Yes, Jivey and 70s, yet that mixture of Jazz, soul, soundtrack music and the folk sensibility that Curtis uses to tell the tale... the album is almost overwhelming. And now, in this great new addition, you get all those bonus tracks and backround listening to enrich your listening more. - - I have two copies of the LP, and this one !

People who only saw the movie once still quote from the lyrics... maybe you even have your own Back in the Day Superfly memories... keep this in your car for long trips, for entertaining company, and get this fantastic repackaging to dig even deeper into not an album... a cultural institution.

the words and music are chills to the mind.the strings the soulful strumming,the falsetto and the arrangments.this disc is a work of genius you get a real street feel down the alleys and corners.curtis mayfield to me is the king of soundtracks because he puts you into whatever piece he is working on as if you were there.that's the mark of strong writing and feeling your audience.the instrumentals and commentary are treats for people such as myself who find this man incredible.this is a strong piece of music that will last for centurys on end period.it's raw,emotional,poetic,angry,romantic and hip.it's the mind of genius.it's rap before the name it's story telling within a film.

Curtis Mayfield had been the leadsinger and songwriter of the Impressions where he also wrote classics like "Gypsy Woman" "People Get Ready" "Keep On Pushing" and "We're a Winner" many of whom dealt with Social Consciousness and Black Pride. For an entire decade he led his band with force and apart for being one of the decade's finest soul groups Mayfield was also a first rate musician that wrote, arranged and sang his own music, often playing guitar aswell. If that wasn't enough he was also among the first Black entertainers to start his own record label, Custom Records in 1968. In 1970 he decided to go solo, left the Impressions and released his debut titled Curtis. Mayfield continued with his conscious music adressing social ills that still exist to this day, but apart from being a pioneer for Soul he was also getting into Funk and would have a huge impact on that music. Songs like "If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go", "Miss Black America" ,"The Makings of Me" later covered by Monica and used as the title on her latest album The Makings Of Me and "Move On Up" that was recently sampled by a certain Rapper/Producer on a song called "Touch the Sky". To sum it up shortly "Curtis" was nothing short of excellent and a year later he continued his creative streak and writing music history with sophmore album Roots with hits such as "Underground" "Keep on Keeping On" and "Beautiful Brother Of Mine", perfectly combining thoughtful lyrics with extraordinary funky arrangements. But Mayfield had more to give and one year later he was asked to make the soundtrack to the Blaxploitation flick "Superfly", and he would make a more then sufficient contribution to this classic.

Curtis Mayfield sang, wrote and produced all of the songs for "Superfly" and eventhough it is a soundtrack it is special exactly for that. It's a concept album where all of the songs have a purpose. Apart from dealing with characters in the movie Mayfield also sings about the problems with the society and with what happens in the film, on each song he'll explore a diffrent theme. Rough Inner City Life, Poverty, Drugdealing, Homicide. Themes that still exist today and are dealt with in plenty of Hip Hop. But Mayfield an exellent story teller, tells is as it is without glorifying or moralizing and the truth is gloomy even depressing but very real. Unfortunately, only the music was used in the movie (instrumentals), not the lyrics. However, the arrangements are so brilliant that it's sometimes hard to listen to the lyrics. But if you do, you'll realize what an impact they have, even today where most of the themes that Mayfield deal with still exist in the society. That itself is reason enough to buy the album.

The album starts with "Little Child Runnin Wild" and it couldn't be a better start. The arrangements here are mesmerizing with horns and funky piano and the lyrics sends a chill down your spine. It deals with the tough inner city life of a young man which only comfort from the hopeless and miserable life is to start selling drugs for this pusherman and eventually become a drug addict himself. The lyrics still echoes loud "Runnin' wild/Watch a whille/You see he never smiles" ..."Broken home/Father gone/Mama tired/So he's all alone". "Pusherman" is just as funky but in faster pace. It tells the poignant story of the pusherman/drug dealer which is a man not to mess with that may kill you by any means neccessary but also how this is his only way to make some money in life. Mayfield manage to portait him as both the cool "Ghetto Prince" and the desperate man hustling as his last resort. "Freddie' Death" is a classic, check the bass, flute and orchestration here. The music itself is beautiful. The song is about a weak but good guy that becomes a victim of the streets. Mayfield use this song as a warning that it can happen to anyone if you end up in the wrong environment. The song was also a big hit reached #4 on the charts. "Junkie Chase" The first of two instrumentals is classic, and it doesn't need words for expression when it offers tension and excitement in such a powerful manner. I think alot of people have heard it on tv without even knowing where it came from. "Give Me Your Life" is a romantic love song and is actually the only song that doesn't have a negative theme on this album. It sound alot like the songs from Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On". On "Eddie You Should Know Better" we find out the consequences around a of a drug dealer, how he constantly dissapoint people around him. "No Thing On Me (Cocaine Song)" is about the effects of drug use or actually the effects of staying away from it. It's very soulful upbeat song with a beautiful melody and happy vibe. Once again he's backed perfectly by his orchestra and it's hard not liking this one. "Think" is also instrumental, but it's a slow bluesy song without those heavy funk arrangements that most other songs had. The melody is beautiful and it makes you feel good listening to. The last song is about the main character in the movie, Priest. On the surface it may look like a celebration to his lifestyle but the lyrics tells a diffrent story. This funky number reached the #8 position on the Pop charts and was one of the most recognizable songs of Mayfields career.

Overall, "Superfly" was Curtis Mayfields Magnum Opus. The finest effort of his entire career. A classic not only for Soul or Funk but for Music in general. And for all rankings for classic albums, it's always listed very highly. "Superfly" for Curtis was what What's Going on was for Marvin or what Innervisions was for Stevie. It should be in any devoted music fans collection. Unfortunately Curtis never made another classic and some of his latter album vanished in obscurity. He passed away in 1999 and will surely be missed, but his legacy lives on with classics like this. Go get it, You won't be dissapointed.

Take the boxed sets out of the equation and I don't know of a better deluxe edition that is on the market. From the packaging, booklet and additional tracks, including Curtis Mayfield discussing Superfly and songwriting, this is what a reissue is all about.

The unique jacket opens to a movie still, which neatly houses the two CDs and booklet. The booklet itself is highly informative, with an explanation on how the additional tracks were found, song lyrics and a lengthy essay concerning the music and its (mis)use in the movie.

The first CD has the original nine tracks issued on the album and the single mixes of one of my favorite songs ever, Freddie's Dead & Superfly. The second CD is a treasure chest of demos and instrumental versions of songs, including an alternate mix of Pusherman and the full-length cut of Junkie Chase.

A pair of Curtis Mayfield radio spots and the interview - which ends the disc - are absolute gems.

If there is only one CD set that you are going to purchase this year, you can't go wrong with this silver anniversary edition of Superfly.

Wow. Possibly the greatest soundtrack of all time, Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly" is one song after another of deep, funky grooves and his best singing either with the Impressions or solo. The best-known songs ("Pusherman," "Freddie's Dead," the title track) are the best stuff here but even the lesser known songs are great. The soundtrack format fits Mayfield's music well because it inspired him to add lots of great cinematic touches that make "Superfly" more than just a party album. Every song feels epic and larger life while still being gritty and streetwise. Likewise, Mayfield's lyrics contain a positive message while never shying away from the dark sides of streetlife, something the too-glamorous movie sometimes did. Simply put, this album is great in everyway possible.