AMG Review of Soul Legacy

Steve Leggett
All Music Guide

Curtis Mayfield was an innovator in every facet of the record industry in the 1960s, breaking new ground as a guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and label owner. The four-disc Soul Legacy box collects material from his Curtom imprint, and the many talents of this amazing man are everywhere evident, from his classic early songs with the Impressions ("Move On Up," "Keep On Pushing," "People Get Ready," "Gypsy Woman," "I'm So Proud") through the proto-funk political masterworks ("Future Shock," "Pusherman," "Freddie's Dead," "Superfly") of his later years. The discs are arranged according to themes (Inspirational Themes, Love Songs, Cautionary Tales, Film & Dance), which is somewhat of an irritation, but not a major one once you give way to this wonderful music. In truth, Mayfield's songs are quite likely to be love songs, inspirational themes, and cautionary tales all rolled into one, and you sure could dance to them, such was the all-encompassing strength of his vision.