Roots (Curtis Mayfield album)
Roots | ||||
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Studio album by Curtis Mayfield | ||||
Released | October 1971 | |||
Recorded | RCA Studios, Chicago, Illinois | |||
Genre | Soul, funk, psychedelic soul | |||
Length | 39:15 | |||
Label | Curtom | |||
Producer | Curtis Mayfield | |||
Curtis Mayfield chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
Robert Christgau | B−[2] |
Rolling Stone | (unfavorable)[3] |
Rolling Stone | (favorable)[4] |
Rolling Stone | [5] |
Roots is Curtis Mayfield’s second studio album, released in October 1971 (see 1971 in music). Having received critical praise from a variety of publications, the album is regarded as not just one of Mayfield's best works but also as a classic release of the '70s soul era, with Allmusic critic Bruce Eder stating that "the album soars on some of the sweetest and most eloquent... soul sounds heard up to that time". The album became a commercial success as well, hitting the #6 slot on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart.[1]
Track listing
Original release
All songs written and composed by Curtis Mayfield, except as noted.
- "Get Down" – 5:45
- "Keep On Keeping On" – 5:08
- "Underground" – 5:15
- "We Got to Have Peace" – 4:44
- "Beautiful Brother of Mine" – 7:23
- "Now You're Gone" (Mayfield, Joseph Scott) – 6:50
- "Love to Keep You in My Mind" – 3:48
Bonus tracks
In 1999, Rhino Records re-released the album with four bonus tracks including a demo version of "Underground" and single edits for "Get Down', "We Got to Have Peace" and "Beautiful Brother of Mine".
- "Underground" [demo version] – 3:17
- "Get Down" [Single edit] – 3:55
- "We Got to Have Peace" [Single edit] – 3:39
- "Beautiful Brother of Mine" [Single edit] – 3:09
Personnel
- Curtis Mayfield - vocals, guitar
- Craig McMullen - guitar
- Joseph "Lucky" Scott - bass
- Tyrone McCullen - drums
- Henry Gibson - percussion
- Leroy Hutson, Michael Hawkins - background vocals
- Johnny Pate, Riley Hampton - arrangements
Chart positions
Chart (1971) | Peak position |
---|---|
Billboard Top LPs | 40 |
Billboard Top Soul LPs | 6 |
References
- 1 2 Eder, Bruce. Roots at AllMusic. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ↑ Robert Christgau review
- ↑ Rolling Stone review
- ↑ Rolling Stone review
- ↑ Hoard, Christian (November 24, 2004). "Review: Roots". Rolling Stone: 523–524.