Superfly

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.

“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

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Funky, groovy fun. Loved it.

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.

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.

"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"

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

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

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

With this soundtrack in tow, anyone can be superfly!

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

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

A couple good songs and a bunch of ok songs. It is a fun listen, but I don't think it is good enough for a 4. Fun Fact: the intro to Superfly was sampled for the Beastie Boy's song Egg Man.

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.

One of my best discoveries in recent years. Only second time hearing it.

Gotta be a top 10 Soundtrack Album of All Time! Favorite Track: Pusherman

This is one of those albums that every time I hear, I think "wow what a great album"

SO COOL.

Halfway through the first song, I was ready for this to be maybe the best album we've covered. It didn't quite get there, but its still a masterpiece. I should watch Superfly. And now storytime: In high school I posted a Facebook status (as was the style at the time) which said "Curtis Mayfield sounds like a more feminine Nina Simone" and my Uncle Pete replied "We need to talk". Album Cover: (A+)

Supafly!

Entirely too funky. A delight.

a juicy slab of scorching yet tender soul funk. i’ve never seen the movie and i feel like i don’t have to. his storytelling, both vocal and instrumental, give me all i need. it’s sequenced perfectly. provides exposition, tension, conflict, and resolution. you want this record. you want to put it on and nestle into its grooves. you want him to tell you how it was, how it is, in his dulcet falsetto. you want to listen close for the harp and bells and bass lines and every wah-wah note. you want the orchestral swells and that damn flute. you wish that was you scraping the guiro on the title track. holy christ, what a title track. if that doesn't make you move, you dead. american music. the kind of musical stew that only could have come out of this imperfect, possibly doomed experiment. multicultural, and born of inequality, struggle, and striving for something better. so cool and unique and funky that it makes the rest of the world wish it was theirs to claim, despite the fact that its subject matter shows the deep imperfections of this place. the lyrics are notable because they're real. the sketches of hustlers and pushermen and heroes and villains aren't caricatures, but sound unforced, natural, true. everything i've ever heard from or read about curtis mayfield indicates he was the best kind of american and a dude. curtis moves people. their hearts, minds, and asses. be honest. he moved at least one of those for you while you listened. don’t overthink it. this is a 5.

I listen to the South all weekend long it’s powerful. I need to see the movie. Read the plot and synopsis. I think it would help me more. Wish I could edit sorry, Zak. I can only speak on this as an album of music and not a soundtrack for now then. The lyrics in this album are so in your face no innuendos here. Curtis transports you into the Superfly world Freddy’s dad is an incredible song the way he dances around different topics always bringing us back to the fact that Freddie died incredible storytelling plus catchy as hell. I think I listen to it about three times and each time it was like the first time I was listening the groove in this album is so infectious great for cleaning the house

I scooped this record at an estate sale down the street from me a couple months ago. Jacket was a little beat, and it was priced slightly too high, but I walked all the way over there and rummaged through a bunch of shitty music, I had to walk away with something - and I'm glad that I did its a beautiful, addictive, extremely playable record. it effortlessly cool. its good shit. its super fly its a 5.

Classic album. Full of great songs

I absolutely loved it. Every song seems to be great. Even more impressive is that "Superfly" is a soundtrack to a film of the same name. Film soundtracks tend to suck with a few exceptions. I'm so glad I experienced it. 5 stars for "Superfly".

"Curtis it's just a B movie about a pimp, you don't have to go crazy and record one of the best soundtracks of all time."

One of these days I'm going to watch the movie, amazing album, love me some wah-wah with horns backing it up 5/5

9/10 Haven’t watched the movie

Mayfield hits a home run with what I consider to be the "correct" rendition of hip-hop. Compare this to later artists with similar lyrical themes, such as Public Enemy or the Wu-Tang Clan and you see a vast difference in accessibility, melody, harmony/chords, instrumentation, and variation both within and between tracks. It's such a relieving breath of fresh air - especially given that this subgenre is underrepresented on this list. I'd compare it to Marvin Gaye's output, particularly his monumental What's Going On released just a year before Superfly. Both artists skilfully weave together poetic, hauntingly human lines about poverty, drug use, and politics. But where Gaye takes the smooth, soulful route, Mayfield opts for something a little groovier. And that's where I can shout out the rhythm section. Man, it's so good. Especially the drums. Per specific tracks: From the get-go, in the album-opener Little Child Runnin' Wild, we have an organ-keyboard setting up a mysterious and understated atmosphere. The strings bring in this hurried, hushed mystique that sets the tone nicely for the rest of the song and the record. The singing is on-point. Percussion is texturally light but very complex and engaging for the ear. Pusherman and Freddie's Dead have brilliant guitar hooks that go excellently with their biting lyrics. In the latter track, the combo of strings in the left ear and a bit of everything (wah-wah guitar, horns, harp) in the right ear is heavenly. The title/closing track definitely sounds like a track for a film, with its big-band arrangement and driving tempo. It's very catchy and a solid album closer. I could listen to this for hours. 5/5 Key tracks: Little Child Runnin' Wild, Pusherman, Freddie's Dead, Superfly

Yo, a OST? Dope! Big budget methinks 1 Fucking GROOVY there is a lot going on here— congas and sax and string section and vibes and harp?! Goddamn smooth as hell, introduces the audience to characters and settings in a cool way too. Wish the vocals had a bit more umph to them, either in mix or execution, to match the cinematic quality of it all— but they’re still smooth as hell, which is good. Drums really kick into gear towards the end, good energy throughout. Good pacing, could be a bit shorter but it’s a movie theme so. Great 2 Rototoms? Off rip? You’re spoiling me golly MM that’s some rhythm love the vocals immediately, soulful like a smooth rock skipping across a still pond. Love that he backs up, lets the instrumental breathe plenty. It’s patient, but insistent. God dude I wanna like make someone think I’m hot to this. Very unique track in that it feels longer than it is in a good way— doesn’t usually work like that, but this time dilation some good shit. Def don’t mind the fade-out, it’s tasteful and well-timed 3 Hm okay the story telling is a little on the nose on this one, a little too broadway— still fun, though, and damn if the string section isn’t sweet. RIP Fred ig. Truck driver key change is a little corny, but I like the muted trumpet that kicks in. This is the theme? I guess. “Fred is dead” is def catchy enough to be a tagline, crunchy bass is crunchy, okay this is growing on me. Little energy break, lovely little harp accents! Yeah yeah ok I’m with it 4 Horn section’s time to shine! This is more OST, perfectly catchy while not demanding your attention. So much of soul can feel samey to me, capturing vibes more than substance, but because the instrumentals are so diverse and eclectic so far I feel really fresh. Silly title though lol 5 More OST kinda stuff, until the vocals kick in ok nvm. Not loving the hi-hat just playing slow 16ths in my right ear, really distractingly loud. Melody on this is nice, wish the harp had more to work with than just the occasional flourish though cos it’d play off the flute and higher-register piano really well. Yeah, just groovy stuff! 6 Euyugh, a triangle? Duuuuude nice. Eddie, think of the tears and fears! Guitar sounds like— NO THAT TOTALLY IS A THEREMIN! Or a guitar with the sounds of the strings being plucked edited out lol. God dude this album is just delightful. Strings offer real tension, especially in the post-choruses. 7 God dude, just an immaculate mix— so much going on, but it’s all so well composed and controlled. Love call and response with the vocals and the muted trumpet. Could be the poppiest so far, really goddamned catchy. The one consistent throughout this record so far has been grooving conga, and it’s really paying dividends here— allows the form to dip more towards pop and funk while retaining that soulfulness. Lil sax solo? Kinda distant, the piano is so forward. Wish that got mixed better. Back to biz afterwards though. Kinda misleading to subtitle this “Cocaine Song” haha, def promoting a clean life? Or at least the semblance of one. Sunny and fun. Listen to that piano twinkle in the back, and the bari sax gently roar! Sure is funky! Nice slow fade-out, that’s classy. I think I’m really coming around to fade-outs 8 Oo taking it down a notch, beautiful tone to the guitar. Could see Nujabes sampling this. Wow, glockenspiel all the way in the left ear sounds absolutely stellar, celestial. Oboe? Bassoon? I always get those confused, but it’s one of those fuckers— sounds great. Such a fresh OST, so much experimentation while still sounding cohesive. Weird little rhythmic thing, kinda feels like they skip a beat somewhere a couple of times, that’s odd. Love the sax swaggering in. Half time really feels great leading in to the final song on the record, feels like we’ve come a long way. Very cinematic. God yeah this is for a movie! Crazy stuff man. 9 God I have never been half as cool as Curtis when he says “Superfly” lmao. Can def hear the Blaxploitation in some of the lyrics throughout this record, but it’s played so lovingly and beautifully that I can’t help but feel it lives beyond its roots. I haven’t talked enough about the vocals, his delivery has really grew on me, he’s got a feather touch to consonants that is just pleasing as heck. Wild instrumentation for the title track— steel guitar kinda sound, heavy use of rototoms, deep brass. Eschews the earlier use of strings in favor of more big band feels on the latter most songs of the record. What a timeless record that is distinctly 70s. Oxymoronically phenomenal.

This soundtrack album is glorious.

Seriously, seriously, seriously good. Everything lines up so neatly on this record; smoothed out jams juxtaposed with stirring string arrangements, moments of individual flourish from each player at different moments … all of it organised around what’s surely one of the most gorgeously soulful vocal performances ever recorded. It feels quite brave, too, to have scored a film that might otherwise be seen as pretty ambivalent about drug crime with a collection of messages about healthy mindsets and getting high on life. Good for you, Curtis. All that might be a maybe, but what’s for sure is that this album, in so many ways, stands alone. Just wonderful.

>Album finishes >Hit repeat >Album finishes >Hit repeat At first I thought I would get tired of Mayfield's singing, I was wrong. Incredible album start to finish.

Fucking sick. So funky and sexy and 70s. Need to see the movie

You gotta make your fortune, by and by.

I really love this album. Very cool funk. A very effective, amazing (but not showy) rhythm section. On top of that, funky (but again, not overdone) guitars and other instruments and interesting vocals. I also like that, because it is film music, it becomes almost a concept album. I could give this a 4 on a bad day but it's a good day.

Easy.

The greatest funk soul album of all time. I first heard of Curtis Mayfield from the Dead Presidents soundtrack, which was a solid intro into funk/soul when I was a teenager. Then my good buddy gave me a copy of this album on vinyl--each of his parents had one apparently, and his father had passed recently anyway. Solid gift from a great guy. So where to start. I guess with the album itself--I'm not sure many new fans to this have heard of the movie first, but I later bought it on cheap VHS. The intro with the white caddy made that like a dream car for a while for me. This album has absolutely everything. Hard social commentary, amazing music and great falsetto. The horns that Mayfield has are harder than almost anything short of Fela Kuti, and even that's debatle between legends. The percussion... basically this album's only weaker points are Cocaine, and even that song's grown on me. Pusherman, Little Child, Freddie's Dead--I have those on multiple playlists. In fact, nearly every song here is on a playlist somewhere. I wish they never remade this movie, mostly because the remake has such a garbage soundtrack. Clean 5/5 as one of top 5 soul albums of all time, and likely my GOAT.

Just amazing

5 stars, brilliant work.

5 stars. Short and sweet, this record sounds cool and timeless

Loved this

Others have already said it all, better, but yes: superb instrumentation and story-telling. Loved it.

Most excellent.

Pusherman alone would give this five stars but love this album

I'm no expert, but my impression is this genre--funk in general and blaxploitation specifically--is filled with forgettable music. Superfly stands out as a solid album top to bottom, plus major hits in Pusherman and Superfly. Mayfield was ahead of his time.

An unflinching work about the need to elevate a community above the oppressive stereotypes the ruling class limits it to.

Absolut verdient in dieser Liste! Groovy und funky und dann noch diese epischen Sound Elemente weil es ein Soundtrack ist! Macht gute Laune! Werd ich auf meiner Liste speichern! 6/5 Lieblingssong(s): „Little Child Running Wild“ und „Pusherman“

Gran disco

Classic. All bops.

Woah

Listened to this on my main system with decent volume. I actually really enjoyed it. Typically this style of music leaves me cold but this one grabbed me.

Absolutely loved this.

90% Best: Pusherman; Freddie’s Dead; Give Me Your Love (Love Song); Superfly Must-Hear? Yes

initially discounted it a little for being a movie soundtrack but it really just stands on its own as a full piece of work. all the tracks are solid and curtis' songwriting is on point. was a really good album to be mad at public transport to

An excellent soul album. Great stuff.

like the soul

I'm your mama, I'm your daddy I'm that ***** in the alley I'm your doctor when in need Want some coke? Have some weed You know me, I'm your friend Your main boy, thick and thin I’m your pusher man! This album is smooootthhhhh man just makes you feel cool inside. This is that cigar with a glass of cognac, two stepping in the living room type of music. Timeless!

Funky. Super. Fly. I’ve seen this album featured on various sites as a top 5 funk album all time. Never listened to it. It’s funk. It’s soul. It’s R&B. Really enjoyed each of the 36 minutes. The blend of instruments is crazy and the concept running thru the album of the attempt to escape the poverty-stricken drug abuse culture is gripping. At times, Mayfield somehow had me tapping my foot and feeling sorrowful at the same time. I was really rooting for the character to break free of the temptations all around. A real treat and a solid 5 ⭐️ for me.

C’était incr

Obvious classic, no skips, possibly the greatest soundtrack ever. He didn't have to go this hard but he did. The movie is good but this is better. When I was a kid I used to listen to "Pusherman" and play Narc on PS2 and think "Fuck I can't wait to start smoking weed".

[9/10] Siri buy Superfly on blu ray, express shipping A masterpiece

Masterpiece. Compositions, not songs.

This has everything that I love about soul: incredibly funky, extensive musical arrangements, and Mayfield’s voice is awesome as well. I really appreciate the lyrical content as well. And man I wish Junky Chase went on longer, such a good instrumental.

Banger album. I like this one a lot more than Curtis. 4.5/5

I loves me some Curtis Mayfield.

The soundtrack is so good it makes me want to watch the film

no skips, i will not be elaborating

Hard to beat.

I don’t really have a cogent review, but this is smooth as hell. Great for Saturday.

Freddy's not dead ;-)Ten stars**********

Great top to bottom

Dope

Straight up awesome, love everything about this album.

I probably wouldn’t have listened to Superfly on my own — but I’m really glad I did. This album is really, really good. Curtis Mayfield’s talent as a songwriter and producer in the ’70s is undeniable, and Superfly is proof of just how prolific and ahead of his time he truly was. There isn’t a single bad song on this album. Every track feels intentional, groove-heavy, and filled with purpose. “Freddie’s Dead” is an absolute banger — funky, haunting, and full of social commentary without ever losing its swagger. But the real standout for me was “Think.” It’s so different from anything else I’ve heard from Curtis — atmospheric, intense, and rhythmically gripping. It shows just how much range he had. Superfly isn’t just a soundtrack — it’s a statement. It captures a moment, elevates it, and still sounds fresh and relevant today. Five stars, no hesitation. Favorite song: Think

I rate pusher man a 5 star because the beat is nice and the lyrics are nice and the singing is beautiful. I rate Freddys dead a 5 star because the beat is nice and the lyrics are nice and the singing is beautiful. And the setting good. I rate Super fly a 5 star because the beat is nice and the lyrics are nice and the singing is beautiful. And the setting good.

I like this song because it has a lot of instruments. I like listening to jazz a lot and playing the instruments took him a while. Again I like all the instruments and his voice is so smooth

Dang, this is awesome - really kick ass soul! I think I'd only heard "Pusherman" before, but the whole album is great - I can definitely see why it became so popular! Haven't seen the movie, so can't comment on whether it deserved to be eclipsed by its soundtrack. Fave tracks - "Little Child Runnin' Wild", "Pusherman", "Superfly" but my absolute fave was "Freddie's Dead"

This was great, his voice is amazing, the whole band is amazing. I listened to it twice cause it flew by so fast.

Loved this one. Those horns. Those drums. That little splash of flute. Possibly some harp? There was a lot going on here. All of it absolutely fantastic. Peak 70’s blacksploitation soundtrack right here. Only complaint was I wanted more.

This whole album is fire....'Pusherman', 'Freddie's Dead', and 'Superfly' makes it 5 stars by itself. I noticed 'Think' is used in the beat for 'Nobody's Perfect' by Missy Elliot and J. Cole. Always fun to track one of those down in the wild.

Incredible album of jazz and funk infused soul. I mean, it has both Pusherman and Superfly! Two stone cold classics. And the rest of the tracks are equally great. I’ve been listening on constant rotation for the last few days. It’s such a rich album full of funk and beauty. Do yourself a favour and listen to ”Makings of you” from the Curtis! Live album from 1971. One of recording history’s finest moments.

incredible soul that mixes a bit with jazz and rock. bangers

Groovy start to finish. I have no knowledge of the film, but from the songs alone you can paint a picture. Really enjoyable.

So much better then the last Mayfield item on this list! Only my second experience with him but this was a fun time, as I said in my previous review of his work, he's got such a fantastic voice and the instrumentals on this one shine so much more. Solid 4.5 but I'll give it five stars for the sake of how much I was surprised by my enjoyment of this!

One of the all time great soul albums. Nothing more to say about this one.

Funkiest album ever, just bop after bop