Superfly

“Super Fly” by Curtis Mayfield (1972) Now this is how urban ‘social justice’ music is done. A concept album with a coherent, humanistic concept. Soulful poetry painting vivid scenes of the heartbreaking reality of the pain and hopelessness of black ghetto life. No pontificating on ‘root cause’; no rage directed at dubious agents of evil; no thinly disguised Marxist political posing; no plea to do wrong in order to set things right. Mayfield touches the individual heart with moral guidance that is edifying and redemptive. “Freddie’s Dead” is so much more than funeral dirge or eulogy. From the abyss of urban lament, It announces salvation. And check out the rap in the intro to “No Thing on Me”. Beats anything I’ve heard from the 90s. And the music soars. Mayfield’s vocals push and pull real tears. Very well controlled falsetto transcends gendered chains. Instrumentals are arranged with symphonic expansiveness, and (even if somewhat dated) are richly varied—and exquisitely performed. The well executed mix draws the listener with relentless mystery. I wish “Junkie Chase” (at only 1:41) would go on for another ten minutes. But alas, real junkie chases probably don’t last that long. For those into folk rock, the acoustic guitar work (Mayfield?) on the intro to “Think” is very well done, setting up a pleasantly surprising stylistic transition. There is so much good music on this album. And this is not the voice of nostalgia speaking. This may shock you, but . . . 5/5

Thursday morning. Nearly the end of the week. Lounging on my velour recliner for a moment of contemplation, it's a sunny day and the light is streaming through the window highlighting the dust in the air. Rising out the seat, I glance in the mirror and my oversize collar is on point with the brown and yellow earth tones in the tie I picked out earlier. Aviators on and quickly check the moustache - nice. I leave for work, climb into the car and Curtis plays in the background on the 8-track. Sunlight glints on my glasses and I'm feeling the beats, one arm out the window as I drive. It's going to be a good day.

This was a great album. Smooth as butter, with surprising depth.

70's porno music mixed with a low budget heist film 3 ⭐️

Alright, this is the second of two Curtis Mayfield albums I've gotten on my journey after There's No Place Like America Today. This one is the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, of which I've heard the title track before but have not seen the movie yet. I'm approaching this release like I did with Issac Hayes's soundtrack for Shaft, in that I am determining if the music can hold on its own without the need for any visual media attached to it. In that regard, does Super Fly's soundtrack stand well? The answer to that question is a resounding yes. Not only is this album instrumentally firing on all cylinders with Curtis's knack for writing progressive funk jams, but lyrically he takes the time to paint the scene for what life was like for black people in 1970s America that sadly still rings true today. Living out in the slums, financially struggling, with little consideration or help from those in political power. It sounds like the kind of environment that preys on innocent souls, and what more potent bait than the allure of drugs - heroin, weed, cocaine. The Pusherman becomes a big player, and Curtis does not romanticize this living. From the death of the lackey dealer on "Freddie's Dead", the twisting nature of greed on "Eddie You Should Know Better", and the desperation for escapism that's found through lust and drugs on "Give Me Your Love (Love Song)" and "No Thing On Me (Cocaine Song)", all culminating in the title track where the titular Super Fly here is someone who looks to be better than the environment he was raised in. Even if I don't know who Eddie and Freddie are or the Super Fly, Curtis portrayed them as archetypes that people can identify and relate to. In that sense, you probably don't need the movie to get the messaging across. All's to say that Super Fly the soundtrack goes incredibly hard, and does not require watching a movie to truly appreciate it.

I'm glad this was our weekend album. There's just... so much. So many layers. Organ, hand drums, regular drums, distorted bass (and surely that's a whammy bar on the bass), spitting fuzz guitar, clean guitar with a wah (of course), any number of horns and strings, and... is that a fucking harp? Yes, yes it's a harp. And that's just the first minute of the first song. And it feels like they're all played by individual humans. All playing little bits and pieces, but also coming together in unison often enough that the songs feel like songs, not just jams. Somehow, even with all that instrumentation, it has a real live feel. There are mistakes here and there, and the vocals aren't the strongest, but I don't find they distract from the experience. They give it an energy. It feels alive. You're not listening to a product that has been painstakingly constructed and polished over months in a studio, you're in a room full of great musicians having a good time. The off the cuff feeling of the album comes with downsides. No Thing On Me feels cheesy, both lyrically and melodically. The wah in Give Me Your Love sounds like someone is strangling a duck. Both songs could have used more time in the oven, but I think more overall production time would have dulled some of the rawness that gives the rest of the album it's energy. So I'll take two (relative) duds if it gives me 7 songs that are brilliant, rich without being busy, dirty without being muddy, somehow simultaneously groovy and contemplative. I'll be listening to this for years to come.

Beautiful soul and funk sounds, and as a Chance fan it was cool to hear the origin of Pusha Man.

Where do you start to peel back the layers of this album?! The percussion, the guitar, the horns, the strings, the lyrical content, this is 36 minutes of absolute pure glory!

Went into this expecting a 4/5 since I've really enjoyed what I've heard from Curtis Mayfield before, but also expecting it to show some age. It absolutely didn't. Soulful, funky, amazing. Title track and Freddie's Dead being my standouts. I'll have to listen again to see if I want to playlist anything, but this is an amazing record. Edit: After sitting on this for a while, knocking it down to a 4. Still a fantastic record, but haven't really felt like going back to it since I got it.

I'm a big fan of this album. Think Mayfield is a genius, great concept album soundtrack and love the use of strings.

I was thinking to myself “I’ll bet there won’t be a soundtrack album on this list” but I had forgotten about this album. So bleeding good.

Feel like a Little Child Runnin’ Wild listening to this. Felt, Superfly!

No começo pensei em dar 4 estrelas mas depois percebi sua grandeza , ótimo disco

Incredible. The production and instrumentals along with Curtis Mayfield's voice and lyrics just takes you to this really blissful place that's vulnerable and embraces it. It's by no means a downer either, because it can set the mood for a really great party.

Funky, groovy fun. Loved it.

"Pusherman" should be sooo cringey but it slaps so hard. All of the instrumentation on this album is fun and groovy and interesting. It feels like listening to a layer cake of different sounds that go together great but are also good for picking apart and listening for little bits at a time. Sonically beautiful! In the list with Tarzan for "soundtracks where a guy really didn't have to go that hard at all but he did and it's excellent"

Interesting to learn that this album earned more than the corresponding movie. The sounds good, but I only got hooked by a couple of tracks, and eventually the falsetto got kind of old.

Didn't get much time with this today thanks to a kids party superbug, but I really enjoyed what I could pay attention to while drifting in and out of consciousness. Simple grooves worked to funky perfection with Mayfield's characteristically-great vocals and lyrics.

Peak pimping soul music. The grooves and vocals just mesh so well together. If this wasn’t the soundtrack for an action movie, I would have said it should be. If you like funk and soul, you’ll like this. If you don’t like that type of sound, you may still like this. Choice cut: Pusher Man

A plush pillow for the weary head of the ghetto's victims.

Just not my cup of tea. I understand it is a reflection of lifelong decisions to make good decisions in the worst of situations, but it is a subject that just don’t find myself attuned to. It’s weird that this album soundtrack is supposed to imbue soul, but I find it utterly soulless with how repetitive it is.

Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this but I was really bored.

Thats exactly why Im doing this project man. Why did I never hear this album in my life before? Incredible songwriting by Curtis Mayfield painting detailed realistic pictures of how life was for black people in the 70s ghettos. Its like I didnt see the movie but I know it now. Not much needs to be said about his vocals, they are smooth they are emotional they are perfect. Same goes for the instrumentation. 40 studio musicians were involved and they really created a beautiful sound. This was mindblowing for me I think this one is a 5 star. 4,8/5

More than a simple soundtrack, Superfly stands as a landmark soul album. Weaving heavy basslines and thumpy percussions, Mayfield details the deadly consequences of the hustler lifestyle where no one gets away clean, a stark rebuke of the movie it was produced for. Performing, writing, recording, and producing, Curtis Mayfield is the multi-hyphenate behind this monument to American music. No wonder every rap artist of the last 40 years has sampled it.

If you made me choose between Superfly and What's Going On, I'd have to fight you. But if you won the fight, I'd pick Curtis.

The epicenter for the sampling revolution of the late 80s to the 2010s. Shows funk isn’t a genre of music but the style by which you walk. The way you speak. Curtis Mayfield is Tchaikovsky.

Oh yeah, this is slicker than owl shit. As well as being slicker than owl shit, this is a remarkably effect concept album, After hearing so many increadibly dense, convulted and head-in-arse concept albums/rock operas by prog bands through this generator (Looking at you Genesis), it's so refreshing to hear a story told in a clear and concise way. Amazingly done from top to bottom.

Best Song: No Thing on Me (Cocaine Song). The way that Mayfield and the saxophone play off each other is wonderful. The whole song feels like it is orchestrated to pull you into its joy. Worst Song: Think - Instrumental. It isn't a bad song, but it pales next to the others for missing Curtis Mayfield's voice. Overall: Absolutely fantastic. I'm always so impressed with how Mayfield is able to sing so gently. He sings with an effervescent lightness. He sings like he's dancing on tip-toe. Beautiful, moving soul.

Have this in my collection and it is so damn good. Powerful stories, lush instrumentation, bolstered by a full orchestra, and what stories he tells in his incredible voice. The film was less critical of the lifestyle embodied in the plot but Curtis really wants us to know Freddies Dead.

THAT'S one hell of a FUNKY album!

Et movie soundtrack som gjorde det bedre end selveste filmen. Det er en af de første soul agtig albums. Blender pshycedilic soul funk og cinematic orchestration. Det er progressive soul. Det er blevet sampled af store kunstnere som chance the rapper biggie, Jay z og beyonce. Det er virkelig godt. Tror det er en 4,5

Great album for powerhouse Curtis M.! Not "Shaft" but equally creative and wonderful R&B/funk. You gotta like'm! "Think" is a nice departure from the funk - really smooth and mellow. Had to make sure I was still listening to the same album 970

I like this record, very chill and fun to listen to, did not realise one of the songs was where the Beastie boys pulled one of their samples

For I while, I honestly don't think I was being fair to this because it's a soundtrack, but it turns out that it's a hell of an album too. Honestly, Superfly is one of the better funk albums I've ever heard, but part of me still feels like I need to watch the film before I consider giving this 5 stars. And to be clear, it isn't *necessarily* going to be a 5 star eventually, but it is *excellent*. As great funk often does, Superfly puts some very dark topics at the forefront of things, namely addiction, the effect dealers have on community, and loss, in a way that I've heard is actually kind of at odds with the film. But regardless, Curtis Mayfield basically just tears it up here with an unstoppable barrage of iconic, soulful, funk songs. I was told this is extremely influential, and I believe it. It's just damn good.

Super! Fly! Superfly!

Fantastic. Superfly and Pusherman are all time funky classics. This only loses a star because I feel the instrumentals come off too much like part of a soundtrack and aren’t so great to listen to on their own

EGGMAAAAAAN

Some really good funk and soul, and he has a really great voice. I love the way all of the instruments sound on this album Fun Fact: the intro to Superfly was sampled for the Beastie Boy's song Egg Man. High 4

With this soundtrack in tow, anyone can be superfly!

I can tell it's very well crafted but I've heard this style parodied over the years so well that it's difficult to shake the feeling I should be watching Black Dynamite. This is obviously not the albums fault, clearly a 'me' issue. Some of the lyrics were a bit corny though.

Really fun soundtrack, proper sleezy in a good way

I love Curtis Mayfield but I think he is constricted on this one by it being a film score. The main theme is awesome but the rest doesn't feel up to what I usually imagine from him based on his other work.

I like cocaine

Funky and fun. This album was consistent with its delivery of a catchy beat and some sweet falsetto. Many of the songs sounded very similar, so I am only feeling three stars.

Not my favorite genre

Not for me.

This is a great album with great soul numbers with jazzy themes. A loose concept album of ghetto street life. One of the best soundtracks ever.

For 45 minutes I was in the headspace of a funky soul brother under the crushing power of The Man

Such a majorly influential artist.

På nyligen recenserade Pet sounds uppskattade jag luftigheten som trots allt fanns den Wall of sound-inspirerade ljudbilden. Få om ens någon artist nu eller tidigare levande är så skicklig på att skapa en luftig ljudbild trots stor orkestrering som Curtis Mayfield. På något magiskt sätt får varje instrument breda ut sig utan att strypa sina med musikanter. De smågitarriffen, blåsen, basslingorna och så förstås Henry ” ”Master” Gibson drivande congas. Som grädde på moset Curtis späda falsett. Det går att argumentera både den självbetitlade solodebuten och föregångaren Roots är snäppet bättre. Samtidigt förstår jag att Superfly vid sidan av självklara Theres No place…valts ut till boken (Roots och Curtis hade gärna fått vara med de också). Som soundtrack i blaxplotationgenren fyller de i sig en funktion. Superfly kan utan förbehåll räknas som ett av de bästa soundtrack som gjorts, kanske rent av det allra bästa (soundtrack där redan existerande hits samlas likt nått slags blandband räknas inte). Curtis bygger verkligen ett album där låtarna utgör kapitel i en större berättelse. Här finns kaxigheten hos langaren i Pusherman, tragedin i Freddies dead och hoppet om ett bättre liv No thing on me (albumets starkaste spår). Filmen vad jag minns (var rätt många år sedan jag såg den) var tämligen medelmåttig. Men vad gör väl det när man allt man behöver levereras av Curtis på soundtracket av yttersta klass.

Det borde inte funka. Den väna, genomsnälle Curtis porträtterar hallicken och knarklangaren utan att det låter det minsta tillgjort eller pinsamt. Det är sanslöst bra. Inte ett onödigt instrument trots att det både blås, stråkar, congas och harpa. Det är bara instrumentalspåren som avslöjar att det är ett soundtrack. Inte ens dessa drar ner helhetsintrycket.

I have three Curtis Mayfield albums and I love all of them. He should have a park or a highway in Chicago named after him.

Funktastic!! I am a huge funkhead so this really did it for me

So funky and groovy, really liked this one.

Few artists are more skillful and more deeply empathetic than Curtis Mayfield. As unlikely as it sounds, he somehow turned a soundtrack for a 70s Blaxploitation film into one of the most thoughtful and nuanced explorations of the effects of drug culture on Black America. The fact that it is also musically stunning with incredible funk is just the icing on top.

I was a kid when I first saw Superfly. It was my brother’s graduation party and it came on cable and we watched the movie. A few years later I got real interested in the music people were sampling from hip hop so I had remembered Ice-T had a song I’m your pusher. I also was looking and saw this album and I remembered so I bought and it was my favorite for the longest time. Such classic songs. Starting with Little Child Runnin’ Wild leading into Pusherman followed by Freddie’s Dead. Such a great opening to an album. He’s not glorifying the game in these songs. It’s talking about the dead ends of this type of life. Mayfield’s falsetto was pure and it was perfect on this album. It closes with Superfly and the repeating trying to get over. That’s what drug business is a big con. Someone always trying to get over on the next. This is perfect album.

Davvero stupendo non me l’aspettavo, lo riascolterò sicuramente.

The soundtrack to a movie genre and perfectly translates to the atmosphere apart from having such great songs on it.

Essential.

Amazing grooves. Love the bass and how smooth the vocals are. Great sound all round!

Such a great voice

One of, if not THE, funkiest albums ever released. 10 stars of I could. Should be in many more talks for greatest soundtrack release of all time.

Great. Reminded me a lot of Marvin Gaye's sound.

Yes

The kind of music you put in a movie to let the audience know they successfully time traveled back to the 70’s

Moody, funky, catchy; a great OST.

This is exactly what I needed to remember that maybe life ain’t so bad

Dia 08 de 1001 albumes No he visto la película pero el soundtrack ya te indica a la perfección, solo con la música puedes reconocer la temática, estetica callejera con abrigos largos y glamurosos, funk, coches, barrios marginales, un poco el gta San Andreas incluso. Muy buen album, muy buen sonido, y buenas vibras. Mola

While a detailed critique of *Superfly* often requires direct audio analysis, its historical impact and the technical mastery behind it are well-documented in critical circles. The album is generally regarded not just as a soundtrack, but as a political and musical landmark. ### Music & Production The production is the album’s immediate signature, largely defined by the fusion of funk and soul with a psychedelic aesthetic. The arrangements are sparse yet deep, utilizing wah-wah guitar, punchy horns, and tight rhythm sections. The use of the "Mack" guitar sound—a distinct, watery guitar tone—is a notable hallmark. This production style moves beyond simple background music, using layered, atmospheric textures to create a sonic environment that feels both cinematic and gritty. The rhythm tracks are notably laid-back yet precise, perfectly capturing the "hustle" of the streets. ### Lyrics & Themes The lyrical content is arguably what elevates *Superfly* above typical soundtracks. While it is a film about a drug dealer, Mayfield’s lyrics serve as a sharp social critique. He uses the character of the hustler as a vehicle to explore systemic poverty, institutional racism, and the cycle of despair that fuels the drug trade. Rather than glamorizing the life, songs like "Freddie's Dead" and "Pusherman" dissect the tragedy of the environment, highlighting the desperation and the Faustian bargains made for survival. The album ultimately presents a complex morality tale—a cry for redemption and a warning against the poison of materialism. ### Influence The influence of *Superfly* is profound. It helped define the "Blaxploitation" sound, but more importantly, it shifted the paradigm of film music, proving that a soundtrack could be a cohesive conceptual album with its own artistic integrity. It also pioneered the use of socially conscious messaging within commercially accessible funk and soul. Its rhythmic and production styles were a significant precursor to the development of hip-hop, as its drum breaks and basslines became foundational samples for countless artists in the 1980s and 1990s, cementing Mayfield as one of the most influential figures in Black music. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** * **Cohesive Vision:** The music functions as a unified statement rather than a collection of unrelated tracks. * **Subversive Messaging:** It hides heavy political critique within irresistible grooves, making the medicine go down easily. * **Musicianship:** The guitar work, vocal arrangements, and rhythm section interplay are considered masterful. * **Timelessness:** The production has aged remarkably well, sounding more innovative than dated. **Cons:** * **Pacing:** The slower, more atmospheric instrumental passages might feel repetitive or meandering to listeners expecting higher energy throughout. * **Fidelity Limitations:** Given its era, the original mix may lack the low-end punch and clarity of modern productions, with some vocals occasionally buried under the instrumental layers. * **Ideological Ambiguity:** Some may find the lyrical perspective too entangled with the film’s context, making it difficult to separate the character’s voice from Mayfield’s genuine message. Ultimately, *Superfly* is often viewed as a revolutionary work that transcends its origins as a movie score, standing as a potent piece of social commentary and a cornerstone of funk and soul music. It is a nuanced portrait of a community in crisis, wrapped in some of the most beautiful and challenging music of its time.

a classic!!

5/5 one of the best soundtracks

An important album that shows the difficulties of ghetto lifestyles whilst simultaneously being one of the smoothest, funkiest albums ever

Little Child, I have goosebumps and good memories of Meagan and some dirt weed in that loft apartment listening to this opener, her suggestion, on this album. Sorry Kerry, never meant to do you dirty. Brilliant arranger and composer. Freddie's Dead with the sweeping strings and it works in the funk vein. Small orchestra unreal. Think is quite simply a masterpiece of building blocks of the most beautiful sort. From the Impressions to landing this, I've enjoyed the journey Curtis took us on, sweet voice, beautiful mind. This is an easy 5 for the music alone but set in historical context it's a landmark on which we can rely. 5.

Don't have much to say about this, it's a really good album. Mayfield's singing is a highlight.

So groovy. Loved every track from the beginning to the end.

My last album was Supa Dupa Fly and now it’s Superfly! Curtis Mayfield you are a genius.

Hell yah

A great Soul album that has reached into my collection. The richness in the sound is perfect.

I was so happy revisiting this. Absolutely phenomenal. Top-notch performances and arrangement, everything about is just absolutely perfect in my opinion. I don't even mind that it feels a little "soundtrack-y" at times, the instrumentals are great. Only wish that it was longer, which is kind of the opposite of a critique here. 10/10

Funky as hell.

A very enjoyable funk album. I have heard a couple of these songs before but I never knew the artist. I really appreciate it the two instrumental tracks on the album. Definitely one of my new favorites

My wife hates this album with a passion. She cray cray.

Yo... from the absolute start, this hits. I really love the soul funk in this. Progressive soul is awesome.

Listened to it with my baby cousin. He loved it.

YES

I'd like to watch the musical now that I've listened to this album.

parece musca do lupin the iii muito brabo

Beautiful album, succinct and purposeful. A pleasure to listen to, and I wish there was more. Goated af

Wonderfully rich with surprising musical depth

The instrumentals are just unexplainable. I had a couple favorites that I saved. Love this album

This is so groovy! From the first track to the last it was just constant funkiness and was insanely enjoyable! There are so many songs that have been sampled and I recognised such as ‘I’m Shady’ by Eminem sampling ‘Pusherman’ and ‘Egg Man’ by Beastie Boys sampling the title track! There isn’t too much to say aside from that, but it’s just exactly what you want in a Funk album, there’s gorgeous vocals and arrangements and an irresistible groove throughout. I hate dancing, but I felt like standing up and just feeling the music, this is surely a good sign for the music!

I love Curtis so very much. Give Me Your Love is my favorite here, followed closely by Freddie's Dead and Pusherman. Wait. Phil Upchurch plays on this record? No way! I friggin love Phil Upchurch. Man, he got to play on so much cool stuff.

Glorious earth shattering fab

NOSSA ABSURDO DE BOM BEM CINEMATOGRAFICO

Now that’s an album! Practically perfect from start to finish - and it was a soundtrack album too. Wild stuff. Favourite track: Pusherman

Fantastic. Curtis Mayfield is a guitar god, songwriting genius with the voice of an angel. A very horny angel, but still. Couldn’t have been better done and really built the world for the Super Fly movie. This music builds atmosphere, enhances story, and augments the action. Can’t get enough of it.

Bf had just bought a haul of used CDs at End of an Ear in Austin. He was going through them as he asked which album I pulled today. Went to check and said Oh it’s the one you’re holding IN YOUR HAND. Cool coincidence. Perfect album.

Very groovy album!! Would recommend

this was fun!