Superfly (1972 Film) [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [SOUNDTRACK]

Curtis Mayfield

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 20, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 4, 1972
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00000JFV9
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,855 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The term "classic" is tossed about a lot these days, and when it's being used to describe everything from Coke to a Janet Jackson CD, the term is shady. But take my word that the 1972 soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Superfly is a true classic. Why? Because 25 years after its release, the songs still ring true and sound fresh. A morality tale set to funky grooves and plaintive vocals, Superfly is the zenith of Mayfield's socially aware songwriting, recounting the highs and lows of the thug life and the no-win ghetto game of hustling. It's hard to believe, but a doom-filled ode to screwing up ("Freddie's Dead") was actually a big hit during the Nixon years. Truth be told, the record sounds as good, if not better, today and should be in everyone's collection. --Amy Linden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Curtis Mayfield's Triumph, April 28, 2006

By	John P. Morgan "Light Coach" (Beautiful San Dimas, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

God Bless you, Curtis Mayfield.

Okay, so I'm a 41 year old white male, big deal...you think I know nothing about soul...about funk...about groove? Think again. I grew up on this kind of stuff and I still find myself going back to it again and again not out of pure nostalgia, but because to me, it's "real music".

Curtis Mayfield was a genius. It seems like everytime you turn around now somebody who hasn't even paid his/her dues is being called a genius or a diva which is kind of a sad commentary, because those people that they are calling geniuses cannot even hold a candle to Curtis Mayfield. You think Snoop Dog is going to hold up to the test of time? You really think in 30 years you're gonna pull out your Eminem Cds and tell your grandkids, "Oh, yeah...now that was music..." I don't think so...

Mr. Mayfield struck a true chord with this recording. Without being obscene or vulgar he captured the sorrows, the joys, the ups, and the downs of not just people who lived on the city streets, but the everyday ups and downs of just being human and to me, that's a triumph in itself.

I love this CD. You really have to sit and be with it and just allow it to seep into your psyche and know that what affects one affects the whole and what affects the whole affects the one. That's empathy. That's pathos. That's soul. That's life.

God Bless you, Curtis Mayfield...thank you for all you left behind.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERFLY!!!, July 26, 2001

By	WILLIE A YOUNG II "willow" (Houston, TX.) - See all my reviews

This classic LP (which I recently aquired on vinyl in mint condition!) not only made the movie soundtrack a viable commercial enterprise, but it raised the bar for creativity in popular music. Using grandiose orchestral backings, horns and a FUNKY rhythm section, the late great Curtis Mayfield created a masterpiece of modern black music that teaches but never preaches, cautions but never panders, and scolds but leaves the choices up to the listener. Everything about this album works, from the music and arrangements (tell me you don't want to cry when you hear the moaning strings that close "Little Child Runnin' Wild") to the detailed and cutting lyrics ( the brilliant "Pusherman" comes to mind). You all know the hits "Freddie's Dead" (will this song ever sound less than cool?), "Superfly" (what guy can't resist 'gettin' his gangster lean on' when this comes on the radio!) and "Gimme Your Love(Love Song)", THE love ballad of the 70's. The sustained strings and jazzy feel of "Eddie You Should Know Better" is perfect background, chill-out music, and "Junkies Chase" is one of the best instrumental pieces Mayfield ever composed, it's so evocative, you can actually picture the chase scene from the movie while it's playing. This man was a genius. "Superly" is that rare 70's concept album that doesn't sound embarrassing or dated and taken on it's own, without the film it plays as a great cautionary tale to people living the drug/hustler lifestyle. Not a wasted note or word. Essential Listening. P.S. Curtis Mayfield, you are sorely missed. R.I.P.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As fine a seventies album as you could want., October 7, 2000

By	Eric V. Moye (New York, by way of Dallas) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I guess the only thing to argue is whether Superfly or Shaft was the better album soundtrack from the era of blaxploitation films. Either way, this is a great piece of music. Curtis Mayfield had a musical career which spanned decades, and moved from the gospel roots of the Impressions to the soundtrack of a movie which glorified drug dealing. Social sensibilities aside, it is hard to say anything bad about this music. Curtis' voice was sweet and plaintive in songs like "Eddie, you Should've Known Better", and "Little Child, Running Wild". Of course, he is like a one man Greek Chorus, as his songs tell of the strife which the movie characters face with their life's choices. Songs like "Superfly" and of course Freddie's Dead let us know via the radio what was happening on the screen. This album is still as fresh today as it was 25 years ago.