Artist: Curtis Mayfield Album: Sweet Exorcist

Year: 1974
Duration: 32:20

A Critical Review of Curtis Mayfield's Sweet Exorcist

Curtis Mayfield is an icon in the soul and R&B music genre, known for his unique style and incredible songwriting ability. His album Sweet Exorcist, released in 1974, is a shining example of his artistry. In this blog post, we'll take a critical look at the album, providing a brief history of the artist, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and our overall thoughts on the album.

Curtis Mayfield was born in Chicago in 1942 and started singing at a young age. He joined the Curtis Brothers in the late 1950s, and they later became the Impressions. Mayfield's songwriting skills became apparent early on, and he quickly became the group's main songwriter. He wrote many of their hits, including People Get Ready and Gypsy Woman. In the early 1970s, Mayfield embarked on a solo career, and Sweet Exorcist was one of his early solo albums.

The genre of Sweet Exorcist is soul and R&B, with elements of funk and rock. The album's sound is characterized by its use of horns, strings, and funky bass lines. Mayfield's vocals are smooth and soulful, and he tells compelling stories through his lyrics.

The standout tracks on Sweet Exorcist are Kung Fu, Suffer, and Ain't Got Time. Kung Fu is an upbeat funk track that showcases Mayfield's ability to keep listeners dancing. Suffer is a slow-burning ballad with poignant lyrics about the struggles of love. And Ain't Got Time is a funky track with a catchy chorus and a message about living life to the fullest.

The most innovative parts of Sweet Exorcist are its use of synthesizers and electronic drums. These elements were relatively new in the 1970s, and Mayfield was one of the first R&B artists to incorporate them into his sound. The use of these instruments creates a futuristic sound that was ahead of its time.

In our opinion, Sweet Exorcist is a fantastic album that showcases Curtis Mayfield's incredible talent. His songwriting ability, soulful vocals, and innovative use of instruments make this album a must-listen for anyone who appreciates R&B and soul music. While the album may not be as well-known as some of Mayfield's other works, it is certainly worth exploring.

Sweet Exorcist is a gem of an album that deserves more recognition in the R&B and soul music canon. Curtis Mayfield's talent shines through on every track, from the upbeat funk of Kung Fu to the slow-burning balladry of Suffer. The album's use of synthesizers and electronic drums sets it apart from other R&B albums of the time, showing Mayfield's innovation as an artist. We highly recommend giving Sweet Exorcist a listen and discovering the magic of Curtis Mayfield.