So I was bored and I thought It'd be fun to do a series on some abums I enjoy!
For today I'd like to talk about Mayfield's 1970 self-titled album - it's one of my favourite soul albums!
I think that although it is still highly praised within soul music fans its definitely very very underrated in the wider
scheme of music enthusiasts as a whole, which is a shame because its definitely up there with both Stevie Wonder's Songs in
the key of Life and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going on?"
I love it because it mixes beautiful song writing and arrangements (including some beautiful strings) with the funkiness of
psychedelic soul (i.e., Sly and the Family stone) while maintaining both hopeful and politically concious lyrics. The album
opens with an insanely funky almost 8 minute track that feels not even a little too long. I LOVE the tone on the bass at the start
its so crunchy and funky.
I also think its insanely fitting that the album begins calling out EVERYONE in derogatory terms,
it acts as a sort of call to the american population at the time that the current situation is problematic for everyone,
not just a specific marginalised group of people (even if this album deals with racial issues surrounding the
civil rights movement a lot).
Another highlight of this album is "The Makings of You", possibly one of my favourite love songs. The orchestration and
arrangement is so beautiful and pretty; the lyrics are also very unique, instead of explicitly telling us his love, he
tries to describe his love through the prettiest metaphors I can think of. The chorus is also just such a nice way of putting to words
our inability to put these emotions to words.
I think these two songs really provide us with the full spectrum of Mayfield's music. The funky political jams and the beautiful
and delicately orchestrated songs - and I love both sides of his equally.
If you enjoy this album, I highly recommend checking out Mayfield's other albums: Superfly (1972) and Roots (1971)
Favourite Song: The Makings of you