Curtis Mayfield - Super Fly
by Carl Bookstein
published: 6 / 6 / 2014
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
Carl Bookstein examines soul giant Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack to 1972 film 'Super Fly', which has been re-released in a special two disc deluxe version
Telling a story of cocaine and inner city hardship, Curtis Mayfield’s hit soundtrack to the early 1970’s film ‘Super Fly’ is currently being re-released in a special two disc deluxe version (also previously released, but now further digitally enhanced). Mayfield provided this stirring, heralded soundtrack to a criticised movie portrayal of a drug dealer in the ghetto. Evoking the streets and the city, Mayfield’s soulful spiritual vocals tell a tale of urban travails. Inspired arrangements and instrumentation include the fine use of horns. On ‘Little Child Runnin’ Wild’, Mayfield sings: “I got a jones running through my bones… I got to take the pain away/ It’s getting worse day by day,” as we hear about the life of an up-against-the-wall junkie and his drug dealer pusherman. While the film ‘Super Fly’ could be criticised for racial exploitation, Mayfield’s insightful soundtrack is anything but, clearly speaking to the troubling realities of the drug culture. Note the lyrics of ‘Pusherman’: “I’m your mama/I’m your daddy… I’m your doctor when you need/Want some coke/Have some weed… I’m your pusherman.” Mayfield nails the pulse, the decadence and the stories of the hard time city. ‘Freddie’s Dead’ is a lyrical and musical knockout track. A mega hit at the time of its release, the number helped secure Mayfield’s place in the pantheon of Soul’s greatest: “It’s hard to understand/There was love in this man… Everybody’s misused him/Ripped him up and abused him… Fred is on the corner now/ If you want to be a junkie, wow/Remember Freddie’s dead.” ‘Super Fly’ is full of meaning and muse, akin to the Marvin Gaye classic ‘What’s Going On’ album. On ‘No Thing On Me’ Mayfield declares positively “You don’t have to be no junkie… My life’s a natural high/The man can’t put no thing on me… Sure is funky/I ain’t no junkie.” ‘Super Fly’, the title track, is gritty and hard hitting, with lyrics about drug hustling in city streets, capturing the troubled culture of cocaine. The second disc’s additional tracks and alternative versions are also worthwhile. A demo of ‘Ghetto Child’ is effective with Mayfield singing about broken homes in an alternate take on ‘Little Child Runnin’ Wild’. The instrumental of ‘Freddie’s Dead’ (one of three versions of the song here) is a moving compliment to the soundtrack version on disc one. In a final interview segment here, Mayfield waxes philosophically on his career and muse. ‘Super Fly’ remains a dynamic inner city soul album, capturing Curtis Mayfield at the point of his career apex.
Track Listing:-
Picture Gallery:-
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Secret Shine - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Pere Ubu - Interview
Barrie Barlow - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadInutili - A Love Supreme
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart