The Impressions
'Complete A & B Sides 1961 - 1968
Eclipse/Universal Music
UK release Date: 6th July 2009

Wow!! what a CD release. There's been no shortage of CD releases from this group over the years but this is the first to my knowledge that features all their A & B sides between 1961 - 1968 which purists will agree was their glory years before leader Curtis Mayfield left the group and underwent a very successful solo career whilst being replaced by singer Leroy Hutson. During their early days featuring the line up of Mayfield, Cash, and .... the group initially sang gospel flavoured songs, but as the decade progressed their songs became anthems within the civil rights movement of the 1960's and provided a soundtrack during the Vietnam conflict. The music of the Impressions was in many ways similar to that of Motown in that many of the flip sides of the issued 45's were of equal quality of those songs that were chosen for initial release.

This two CD anthology of singles kicks off with 'Gypsy Woman' a song synonymous with the group and an early indication of what was to come. It was Mayfield's sweet falsetto voice interspersed with the background vocals that became the groups trademark sound of the 1960's. Songs like 'It's Alright', and 'Amen' 'I Need You' and 'Woman Got Soul' laid the foundation to what would become known as the Chicago sound for the likes of Jackie Wilson and Gene Chandler to name just two, but it was the mod movement in the middle of the 1960's who locked onto to a number of their songs and made them popular during the era of all-nighter northern soul sessions. Sons like 'You've Been Cheatin' ' Can't Satisfy' (a live version) and 'You Ought To Be In Heaven' continue to this day to fill the dancefloor across the UK at club soul events.

Mayfield's songwriting genius is evident in just about every track over these two CD's and every song has meaning as close inspection of the words in these great tunes will confirm. Listen to 'Keep On Pushing' to hear where they are coming from in terms of representing black power and the hardships endured by all the brothers and sisters during this difficult period in American history and their message was loud and clear most notably on the iconic 'People Get Ready'. it's ironic that the Impressions didn't need any gimmicks to get their message across the masses and produced a mixture of gospel, spiritual, pop, and dance of the highest order. Some of the songs are just down right glorious sing-a-longs especially 'Woman's Got Soul' , and you need look no further than the brilliant 'I Need You' (my personal favourite) if you are looking for that lost northern soul gem and collectable 45 - I've even got this tune as my ring tone on my mobile.

Regular readers of my reviews will know of my love for orchestration and piano work on my favourite songs and nearly everything on this set features both especially 'I Loved And Lost' to hear that haunting tinkling piano complimented with the groups trademark trombone brass section. Some of the standout 'B' sides include the snappy 'A Woman Who Loves Me' which surely was strong enough in its own right to have made a single 'A' side release, as well as the almost big band intro to 'Get Up And Move' I was totally  enthralled with 'Falling In Love With You' a mid paced love song that qualifies as one of their best recordings EVER!

There's just nothing that this group can't do. Listen to their live recording as they take on Ramsey Lewis' classic 'Wade In The Water' and what you wouldn't have given to be there at the time, and their take on the down right pop songs of the day has to be admired with a brassy take on 'Up Up and Away' a song that was a hit for the Mike Sammes Singers during the mid sixties. Mayfield's music continued in a different vein during the 1970's after he set up his own label and publishing company Curtom records but thats a story on its own.

This CD set features 60 songs of the highest order featuring all their singles and flip sides during this important period. If you are serious about soul music from this period you cannot afford not make this purchase which has taken pride of place in my own collection. Its only when you listen to this in its entirety do you fully appreciate what Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions achieved and recorded during the glory days of vintage soul music.

Rating 10/10
Also check out 'Movin' On Up' DVD the music of Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions (Reelin' In The Years productions)