Curtis Mayfield - Back To The World (1973) Japanese Remastered 2014

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Curtis Mayfield - Back To The World (1973) Japanese Remastered 2014

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Back to the World, the first album Curtis Mayfield recorded and released after hitting number one with the intense inner-city vignette Superfly, returned him to a steady balance of optimism for the future and direct social commentary regarding the problems of his people. The lead single, "Future Shock," was inspired by Alvin Toffler's 1970 book of the same name, which warned readers that industrial society was changing so radically that environmental and social problems could be endemic for decades. The track tapped into the same grooves and brass heard on Superfly (perhaps overly so), but said more about the world around ("We got to stop all men, from messing up the land/When won't we understand, this is our last and only chance?"). The title track was very upbeat and positive, as were the refreshing "If I Were Only a Child Again" and "Future Song (Love a Good Woman, Love a Good Man)." With no hit singles to even approach the three high performers from Superfly, though, Back to the World was a distinct disappointment; the music wasn't as powerful as fans were expecting, and though the songs were up to Mayfield's usual high standards, there were many similarities (musically and thematically) to material from each of his proper solo albums.

Review by John Bush, Allmusic.com

This has always been one of my favorite Curtis Mayfield albums, even though I don't think its his most popular (and it often goes out of print.) The reason is because its just so darn tight and funky - - yet political (in that distinct Curtis Mayfield) way too. The tracks are so tight, its incredible… and not only is it heavy funk - - but its a distinct type of funk that only Curtis was playing (and that's hard to describe for the uninitiated.) - - I don't know how to describe it… 100% Curtis = 94% JB, 6% Bob Marley ??? Really, you have to listen…

Overall, this is a great album because on one hand the instrumental tracks are kicking – even if you're not dancing, you can't help but move, however, if you listen to it just for the lyrics, you can follow Mayfield's lyrics from begining to end… in part because he had a unique style of lyric writing too that made him more of a political poet or even a pre-hip hop rapper more than a simple soul wailer or crooner (as was common in that era.) Throughout the album Mayfield's status as a visionary and artist becomes clearer and clearer as he paints pictures and makes you think and wonder. Consider the opening track BACK IN THE WORLD, with its pumping bass and drums, lush violins, wa wa guitars, and funky horns about a Vietname Vet who dreams of coming back to the U.S. but finds life quite a bit different than what he was expecting… Mayfield pleads his case passionately and emotionally by putting you in his mind, yet the tune is also so damn funky you don't know how to respond. The music makes you want to dance… but the message makes you both sad and angry at the same time. And at the same time he also has that unique style of rhythm guitar as well !

Overall this is an intense album. Some people were blown away by other artists who were delivering political messages at that time… like Marvin Gay and Gil Scott Heron - - but after hearing this album you'll realize that Curtis (the guy who laid down the ultimately controversial "Mighty Mighty Spade and Whitey" and "SUPERFLY" soundtrack which provided social commentary on the film at the same time you watched it) *WAS* the man ! ! !

Review by Eddie Landsberg, Amazon.com

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Curtis Mayfield - Back To The World (1973) Japanese Remastered 2014

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Curtis Mayfield - Back To The World (1973) Japanese Remastered 2014

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Curtis Mayfield - Back To The World (1973) Japanese Remastered 2014

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