In 1968 Curtis Mayfield launched his own label Curtom after he split from the Impressions and over the next ten years a number of Chicago artists recorded some wonderful material for the label which mainly consisted of the Impressions, the Stairsteps, The Natural Four, and The Staple Singers amongst others. This new release two CD set whilst giving the listener forty six songs over two sides tends to concentrate on a limited amount of artists by featuring two or three songs from each artist, and by no means is a complete list of artists who recorded for the label. If you require further information on Curtom releases contact Sequel Records in London.

Side one opens with one of my favourite family groups of the late sixties The Stairsteps, of which Kenny Burke was a member and we all know what happened to him during the 80's. 'You Waited Too Long' a gentle beat ballad introduces the listener to their style of Mayfield magic capturing THAT sound of Chicago soul that Curtis had stamped out for so many artists some six years earlier. Following on with three similar sounding offerings in the form of 'World Of Fantasy' and 'Come Back To Me', and 'Danger She's A Stranger' the latter being a very strong side indeed. For other CD releases on this fine family outfit check out NEMCD 696 featuring the best of the Stairsteps.

Northern Soul fans are not left out on the CD as the Fascinations classic '66' release 'Girls Are Out To Get You' follows and must surely be one of the all time great soul sides of the 60's. Much played at oldie venues and a favourite at Manchester's Twisted Wheel Club between 1966-70. If your not already aware there is a Fascinations CD available from Sequel entitled 'Out To Get Cha' (NEMCD 881) containing the instrumental version of this song. Just brilliant!

The Impressions are well represented here too with their 1968 US single 'This Is My Country' rated as one of their best ever and as always a song that delves into the politics of America in the sixties of which Mayfield often wrote. Following on we are treated to the excellent 'Choice Of Colours' which saw a UK release here on Buddah at the end of the decade and remains one of the most potent songs from the Impressions. Once the band entered into the psychedelic realm of the early seventies they were up among the best and their 'Check Out Your Mind' and 'Baby Turn On To Me' are featured here and remind us of all the great musical offerings the Impressions gave us. Even after the departure of Mayfield in the late sixties the hits kept coming even as a solo artist from the now classic 'Move On Up' one of the most cherished club classics over the last twenty seven years. Other Curtis solo tracks such as 'If There's A Hell Below' 'Freddies Dead' and 'Superfly' are all included here for your listening pleasure. There is no shortage of Mayfield solo CD's in the shops these days but Sequel's contribution must surely rate as the best. See our reviews of other Curtis Mayfield slo releases for Sequel elsewhere on this page.

It's back to Northern Soul as the late Major Lance offers his great 'Stay Away From Me' which has been a popular collectors item for many a year now alongside his many Mayfield compositions on the OKEH label. Likewise the Impressions' 1971 UK Buddah issue of 'Love Me' is here too making the purchase of this CD worthwhile if only for this track.

If that wasn't enough check out disc number two as we are treated to the likes of the Natural Four with their excellent 'Can This Be Real' an absolutely gorgeous slice of Chicago soul at its very best. Check out their two CD set from Sequel for more rare and collectable tunes (NEMCD 405)

Leroy Hutson is a name everyone knows via his stint with the Impressions during the seventies but it is his solo work for Curtom that has soul fans shelling out silly money for his albums. This side includes the highly collectable 'All Because Of You' and 'Feel The Spirit (In 76) a popular track amongst the modern soul crowd and played to death on the northern scene of recent, and if you enjoy that please see our reviews of other recently released Hutson CD's elsewhere on this site.

More rare and collectable ballad material is included in the form of the Notations with their superb 'It Only Hurts For A Little While' and not a finer piece of real soul could one ask for.

The legendary Staple Singers give us two of their well known Curtom outings with 'Let's Do It Again' a slice of southern soul prior to their move to Stax in Memphis in 1970.  Likewise the superb 'New Orleans' is here too and on listening to it again one may argue that these recordings were somewhat stronger than a lot of their Stax issues.

Disco diva Linda Clifford's two biggies are here including 'Runaway Love' a track that first appeared on 12" in 1977. Still getting played today in selected clubs up and down the country, as is 'Don't Give Up'. Seventies dance music at it's very best, and her vocal dexterity is stretched to the limit as she teams up with Curtis for a stone cold ballad 'Between You Baby And Me' which saw some chart action in the UK when it was issued via Polydor in the late seventies.

So there you have it a totally wonderful two CD set that takes you on a journey through the vaults of Curtom yet really only scratches the surface in terms of the company's total output. Finally, check out out the carefully compiled fold out sleeve notes which have been prepared with loving care including those wonderful nostalgic photo's etc.

Personal rating 10/10 (Faultless)
Expect to pay around £12.00 in UK
Released 23rd August 1999.