Lets Do It Again Curtis Mayfield

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Australia's Playback Records label returned to the scene in 2019 with a pair of new releases and the hope of more to come.  Today, we're looking at those new titles from Curtis Mayfield and Timi Yuro!

As a writer, producer, and creative person - both solo and with The Impressions - Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999) was one of the foremost exponents of Chicago soul. He penned such favorites as Jan Bradley's "Mama Didn't Prevarication" and Major Lance'due south "The Monkey Time," not to mention such Impressions hits as "Gypsy Adult female." Just his deep social conscience likewise manifested itself in such influential anthems equally "Keep on Pushing" and "People Get Ready" which established him equally a central phonation of Black America and of the civil rights motion. His solo debut Curtis predated Marvin Gaye'due south What's Going On equally it incorporated political and social strains into its music - itself a divergence from The Impressions' silky soul into a world of hard-hitting psychedelic funk. His soundtrack to the Blaxploitation classic Superfly yielded two million-selling singles, a milestone in a career filled with them. Belatedly in 2019, Australia'south Playback Records characterization explored the Mayfield discography with a stellar 20-track anthology. Motility On Up: The Songs of Curtis Mayfield takes a deep swoop into his visionary songbook. Artists familiar (Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and The Pips), and lesser-known (Willie Wright, Patti Jo) are presented tackling songs with messages both universal and personal.

The collection opens with "Check Our Your Mind" from Maxayn. The band fronted past vocalist Maxayn Lewis had its complete output nerveless on a superb 2018 release from Cherry Ruby Records; hither, their power as well equally Mayfield'south is revealed with this commanding piece of psychedelic R&B. While Mayfield wasn't involved with Maxayn's recording, he was known to exist a generous collaborator. His ain productions are featured here for a variety of artists including Gladys Knight and The Pips ("On and On" from the Claudine soundtrack), The Staple Singers ("Permit'south Do Information technology Again"), Philadelphia soul queen Barbara Mason ("Requite Me Your Love"), Patti Jo ("Ain't No Love Lost"), Baby Huey and The Babysitters ("Difficult Times"), The Five Stairsteps (the delicious soul-popular of "Baby Make Me Feel And so Good"), and Aretha Franklin (the shimmering "Expect Into Your Heart" from Sparkle). 1 of Mayfield's key collaborators was arranger Rich Tufo from his own Curtom Records team. Tufo's lustrous strings added drama, intensity, and emotion to Mayfield'due south already taut productions. One tin't mention string arrangements, however, without noting producer-arranger Van McCoy's stunning work on Melba Moore'due south rendition of Mayfield'southward driving "Make Me Believe in Y'all." In contrast, Willie Wright's "Right On for the Darkness" is a spare and haunted take on Mayfield'south rumination near the flawed education system.

Move On Upwards concentrates primarily on Mayfield's funkier offerings, but his softer side is well represented, also. The Impressions' "I've Been Trying," as covered past Chicago's own Notations, is outset-class harmony soul. The Main Ingredient revived another of the group'south numbers, the romantic "I'm So Proud," with smooth subtlety. Australian soul-jazz vocalizer Sue Barker (whose solitary solo LP was expanded past Playback Records) brought her own fiery sensibility to "Beloved to the People." Indeed, the Mayfield sound transcended borders. Jamaican singer Devon Russell'southward "Movement on Up" radically reworks the original with a rocksteady flavour.

The final selections on Motility On Up are all drawn from the 1990s-2000s, displaying the songwriter's eternal relevance. Julian Joseph and Sharon Musgrave's "The Other Side of Boondocks" is smoky sophisti-pop with tasty jazz piano, while a prominent contemporary jazz element is also to the fore on Joanna Teters and Mad Satta's "The Makings of You." En Vogue reimagined Aretha Franklin'southward Sparkle melody "Something He Can Experience" as "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," returning the song to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart with their brassy, sultry, retro arrangement. Mayfield himself is heard on the chilling "Here Merely I'one thousand Gone," a collaboration with Lauryn Hill recorded in the wake of the accident that left him paralyzed from the waist downwards just no less determined to bring his artistic visions to fruition.

Playback'southward release is a elevation-notch package designed by Robert Penney. The 24-folio full-color booklet has an essay and detailed rail-by-rails notes from historian Kris Needs. Warren Barnett has remastered all of the tracks. Move on Up: The Songs of Curtis Mayfield is a potent and well-curated sampler from 1 of R&B'south most enduringly powerful voices.

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The last decade has seen reissues from the late Italian-American vocalist Timi Yuro (1940-2004) on the Existent Gone Music, RPM, Morello, and Jasmine Records labels. At present, Playback has taken its plow with an expanded reissue of the big-voiced vocalizer's 1963 Liberty album Make the World Become Abroad .

1961's smash hitting "Hurt" (No. four Pop/No. two Air-conditioning/No. 22 R&B) established Rosemary Timothy "Timi" Yuro as a chart presence. By 1963, she'd gained a fan in Willie Nelson, the young and prodigiously gifted songwriter who had already penned such staples as "Crazy" and "Hi Walls." Recognizing her talents as both a powerful vocalist and a natural storyteller, Willie wanted to write for Timi. He encouraged her to go to Nashville to pursue the country market; there she befriended Hank Cochran who likewise resolved to write for her.

Between May and August 1963, Yuro recorded the Make the Earth Become Away LP named for a new vocal by Cochran. The 12-vocal album released in September also featured songs by Nelson (including "Permanently Alone," the beginning tune he sold her on), Don Gibson, Hank Snowfall, and Johnny Cash. Arrangements, frequently echoing the lush style of Chet Atkins' Nashville Sound for competitor RCA Victor, were provided by Belford Hendricks, Ernie Freeman, and Marty Paich. The outcome was an early triumph of country soul (with an emphasis on the latter) in the spirit of Ray Charles' Mod Sounds in Country and Western Music, highlighted by Yuro's passionate rendition of Hank Cochran's title song. "Make the World Go Abroad" was first recorded on April 30, 1963 past Ray Price; Yuro'southward version was cutting merely two weeks later on May xiii. But Snow's initial recording remained unreleased for decades. On June 13, 1 month to the day afterward Timi cut her version, Price re-entered the studio to record his version which peaked at No. ii on the Land nautical chart. (Boil Arnold would brand the song his own - and have information technology to No. 1 - the very next twelvemonth.) Timi scored on the AC chart (No. eight) and the Pop survey (No. 24) with her deeply felt interpretation, however one of the finest recordings of the oftentimes-covered song. Timi likewise transformed Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line" into the realm of torrid R&B.

Nelson'south somber, understated "Permanently Alone" inspired a teary accept from Yuro; Willie would re-record the ballad in 1968, 1982, and most recently, 2014. Nelson'due south "Are You Sure," co-written with Buddy Emmons, also was perfectly matched to the artist's beyond-her-years voice. Willie revisited information technology in 1965 and then fifty years later on in 2015 with up-and-coming country vocalizer Kacey Musgraves.

A full complement of thirteen bonus tracks accompanies the original album. These include seven singles and outtakes recorded within the aforementioned May-August 1963 time period as the original LP arranged by Hendricks besides as past Bob Florence (well-known for his piece of work with Andy Williams and others). These encompass more country selections - among them Willie Nelson's "There's a Way" and Hank Cochran'south "Yesterday's Memories" - and traditional folk numbers such as "He'll Be Coming 'Circular the Mountain" and "Down in the Valley." (Notation that four of these cuts premiered on the 2015 Morello release Something Bad on My Mind/The Unreleased and Rare Liberty Recordings.)

The set and so jumps to 1965-1966 for Mercury Records sessions with producers Chip Taylor ("Wild Thing," "Affections of the Morn") and Jerry Kennedy (Roger Miller, Jerry Lee Lewis). Taylor, working with Belford Hendricks, kept Yuro in the aforementioned country-soul carol milieu for "Baby," "Pretend," and "Once a Twenty-four hours," the latter of which went to No. 1 as Connie Smith's debut unmarried. Kennedy and tiptop Nashville arranger Pecker McElhiney as well provided elegant settings for Yuro'south vocals. She returned over again to her friend Willie's songbook ("You Took My Happy Away") as well as to the catalogues of Ben Peters ("Turn the World Around the Other Mode") and Melba Montgomery ("Don't Keep Me Lonely Too Long," with a pronounced stone shell).

Playback's reissue of Make the World Go Abroad has been remastered by Warren Barnett from the original Mercury masters and includes a 12-page booklet with a personal remembrance of Timi Yuro from her friend (and this ready'due south curator) Mike Iannarelli. Timi Yuro'southward voice was singled-out in any genre, but her country forays remain amongst her most dearest recordings. This deluxe reissue makes it easy to hear why.

Both titles are available now from Playback Records at the links below.

Curtis Mayfield, Motion on Upwardly: The Songs of Curtis Mayfield (Playback Records PBCD-010, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Check Out Your Mind - Maxayn (Capricorn CPR 0017, 1973)
2. On and On - Gladys Knight and The Pips (Buddah BDA 423, 1974)
3. Allow'due south Do It Again (Single Version) - The Staple Singers (Curtom CMS 0109, 1975)
4. Give Me Your Dear - Barbara Mason (Buddah BDA 331, 1972)
5. Own't No Honey Lost - Patti Jo (Scepter 12366, 1972)
6. Make Me Believe in You - Melba Moore (Buddah BDA 519, 1976)
7. Difficult Times - Infant Huey and The Babysitters (Curtom CR 1962, 1971)
8. Right On for the Darkness - Willie Wright (Hotel 539, 1974)
9. I've Been Trying - The Notations (Twinight 152, 1972)
10. Baby Brand Me Experience And then Good - The 5 Stairsteps (Curtom 1936, 1969)
11. Suffer - Patti LaBelle and The Bluebelles (Atlantic 45-2712, 1970)
12. I'yard Then Proud - The Main Ingredient (RCA Victor 74-0401, 1970)
13. Await Into Your Center - Aretha Franklin (Atlantic 45-3373, 1976)
14. Dearest to the People - Sue Barker (from Crest International LP CRT-036, 1975)
15. Move on Upward - Devon Russell (Loftier Music pre-release 45, 1981)
16. The Other Side of Town (7" Version) - Julian Joseph (with Sharon Musgrave) (EastWest YZ 6001, 1991)
17. Hither Merely I'm Gone (Role 2) - Curtis Mayfield (from Elektra CD 62364-2, 1998)
18. Superfly - Geoffrey Williams (from Oyster CD OYSCD11, 2008)
19. The Makings of Yous - Joanna Teters and Mad Satta (from Comfort, 2014)
20. Giving Him Something He Can Feel - En Vogue (EastWest 7-98560, 1992)

Timi Yuro, Brand the World Become Away [Expanded Edition] (Liberty Records LP 3319, 1963 - reissued Playback Records PBCD-eleven, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Leavin' on Your Mind
2. She's Got Yous
3. I'd Fight the Globe
4. Gotta Travel On
5. I Only Got Dorsum from At that place
6. I'm Movin' On (Parts 1 & 2)
7. Make the World Go Away
8. Permanently Lonely
9. Ashamed
10. I Walk the Line
11. Are You Certain?
12. A Legend in My Fourth dimension
13. Look Down (Freedom single 55567, 1963)
14. Telephone call Me (Freedom unmarried 55565, 1964)
15. Without You (*) (rec. 1963, rel. Morello CD MRLLX5, 2015)
16. There's a Way (*) (rec. 1963, rel. Morello CD MRLLX5, 2015)
17. Downwards in the Valley (Liberty single 55634, 1963)
18. He'll Be Coming 'Round the Mount (rec. 1963, rel. Morello CD MRLLX5, 2015)
19. Yesterday'south Memories (*) (rec. 1963, rel. Morello CD MRLLX5, 2015)
20. Baby (*) (rec. 1965, rel. Jasmine JASCD1005, 2018)
21. Pretend (*) (Mercury single 72515, 1965)
22. Once a Day (*) (Mercury single 72515, 1965)
23. You Took My Happy Away (Mercury single 72601, 1966)
24. Don't Keep Me Lonely Too Long (Mercury unmarried 72601, 1966)
25. Plow the World Around the Other Way (Mercury single 72618, 1966)

Stereo except (*) in mono

Joe Marchese

JOE MARCHESE (Editor) joined The Second Disc shortly afterwards its launch in early 2010, and has since penned daily news and reviews about classic music of all genres. In 2015, Joe formed the 2d Disc Records label. Celebrating the swell songwriters, producers and artists who created the audio of American popular song, Second Disc Records, in conjunction with Real Gone Music, has released newly-curated collections produced by Joe from iconic artists such every bit Johnny Mathis, Bobby Darin, Laura Nyro, Melissa Manchester, Chet Atkins, and many others. He has contributed liner notes to reissues from a various array of artists, among them Nat "King" Cole, Paul Williams, Lesley Gore, Dusty Springfield, B.J. Thomas, The 5th Dimension, Burt Bacharach, The Mamas and the Papas, Carpenters, Perry Como, Rod McKuen, Doris Day, Jackie DeShannon, and Andy Williams, and has compiled releases for talents including Robert Goulet and Keith Allison of Paul Revere and the Raiders. Over the past two decades, Joe has also worked in a variety of capacities on and off Broadway too as at some of the premier theatres in the U.S., including Lincoln Center Theater, George Street Playhouse, Paper Manufacturing plant Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, and the York Theatre Company. He has felt privileged to work on productions alongside artists such as the late Jack Klugman, Eli Wallach, Arthur Laurents, Betty Comden and Adolph Light-green. In 2009, Joe began contributing theatre and music reviews to the print publication The Sondheim Review, and in 2012, he joined the staff of The Digital $.25 as a regular contributor writing most film and boob tube on DVD and Blu-ray. Joe currently resides in the suburbs of New York Urban center.

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Source: https://theseconddisc.com/2020/02/07/lets-do-it-again-playback-records-returns-with-curtis-mayfield-timi-yuro-collections/

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