Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions [Remastered] (2000)

Motown may have been the chart-ruling R&B barometer of the '60s, but Chicago's Impressions also burned up the airwaves with 14 Top 30 pop hits between 1961 and 1969. Led by the multitalented Curtis Mayfield, (who sang, composed, produced, and played guitar), The Impressions were a trio characterized by the tight harmonizing of Fred Cash, Sam Gooden, and Mayfield that defines 20TH CENTURY MASTERS.
Mayfield's sophisticated musical arrangements are particularly effective on ballads like "I'm So Proud" and "Gospel," which point back to the group's gospel origins. The common thread running through all 19 of these tracks is a social consciousness that manifests itself in the civil rights anthem "Keep on Pushing" and the optimism for brotherhood that permeates "People Get Ready" and "Choice of Colors." The Impressions influenced both white rockers, such as Rod Stewart, and future reggae legends Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh when they were still the Wailers. Wrapping up these Impressions smashes are Mayfield's only two Top 10 solo hits, the wailing "Freddie's Dead" and the title track from the blaxploitation touchstone film SUPERFLY.

The Millennium Collection: The Best of Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions collects some of the best songs Mayfield recorded with the Impressions and on his own, including "Gypsy Woman," "People Get Ready," "Freddie's Dead," "Superfly," "Woman's Got Soul," and "Choice of Colors." Though a thorough look at Mayfield's talents and innovations is beyond the scope of this album, The Millennium Collection does provide enough of his definitive tracks to make it a worthwhile overview of his work.