Curtis Mayfield - Back to the World

Back To The World is a powerful concept album dealing with America's social issues, the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the environment (years before it became fashionable), as well as Curtis' optimism for the future. 7 total tracks. Charly. 2005. Album Description

(3.5 stars) A bit of a letdown but still good

This isn't as good as the tremendous efforts that came before it, but it's worth hearing anyway. Mayfield had a pretty big hit here with the funky groove of "Future Shock"; the title track's mellow, heavily political groove is pretty good too, prolonged a bit to make room for a cool sax solo; "If I Were a Child Again" mixes "ignorance-is-bliss" nostalgia with a funky arrangement powered by saxes and wah-wah; "Can't Say Nothin'" has a steady gospel-funk feel. However, problems are trying to set in: "Right on for the Darkness" has the look and feel of one of those Hayes-like orchestrated epics, but totally misses the scope and falls way flat, while "Future Song" is thin outside of Mayfield's clear falsetto parts, and the psychedelic "Keep on Trippin'" does not fit Mayfield at all. And nothing on this album is as good as anything from Curtis!, Roots or Superfly. It's still a good listen, just not as good as what came before. November 18, 2007

His Best

I played this album on the air at Utapao Royal Thai Naval Air Force Base in 1973 and 1974 over the American Forces Radio and Television station. Most of us knew this album because it was about a Vietnam Vet coming back to the States. Curtis Mayfield was a great musician and a wonderful human being. He is missed. September 25, 2007

A great album from the late,great Curtis Mayfield

This one's my favorite Curtis Mayfield release after Superfly.It was originally released in 1973 and was required listening during my days in the US Army. Oh what great memories! Highly recommended!! February 27, 2007

right on for the darkness

This record has my alltime favorite curtis tune, and I love a whole lot of curtis tunes to death. When he says "it's the educated people...making up the rules, holding back the schools" I couldn't agree more. But much like his debut, Curtis, the hypnotic and apocolyptic ("hell below" on that one) is balanced by more upbeat stuff. Maybe the best Curtis cover art, too. September 16, 2006

Funky - - and political too ! ! !

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 Space and Whitey" and "SUPERFLY" soundtrack which provided social commentary on the film at the same time you watched it) *WAS* the man ! ! ! May 17, 2006

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