This Import Is REALLY Worth The Bread ! ! !
Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 02/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The "IMPORT" price tag on this might scare you over to the domestic version, however, this Greatest Hits collection, which I originally picked up in Tokyo is well worth the extra bread ! While many domestically available Impressions Greatest Hits and Anthology CDs include all those tracks that you probably already have on your Curtis CDs... this one goes down deep into the vaults... going for the belt for some of their FUNKIEST as well as weetest grooves. Check out for example one of their heaviest grooves, both lyrically and rhythmically "MIGHTY MIGHTY SPADE AND WHITEY"...Listening to this CD, one experiences the funky Chicago CURTOM sound of the mid-'70s and the genius of Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions... (Check out former Impression Leroy Hutson's solo CDs as well !) These are songs with deep social messages that aren't afraid to make a strong message, yet a funky dance dance groove (that perhaps allowed some DJs to turn the other way.I find it incredible the way Curtis could take a simple gospel R & B type grooves, mix the bass and drums VERY upfront, layer in the catchiest most bumping orchestrations you'll ever then throw in these in your face lyrics that agressively ride the groove, yet are so deep, challenging and poetic... Tunes like Preacher Man and Spade and Whitey challenge and make you wanna "Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved" (as James Brown used to say) and Get Involved... Tunes like We Go Back A Ways and Sooner or later make ya wanna hold your baby close... Tunes like Choice of Colors and This Is My Country challenge conventional thought. Overall, no life is complete without the Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions experience, so definitely dig down deep, and dig into their music ! ! !"
