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Roots is Curtis Mayfield’s second studio album, released in October 1971, we don’t know the exact date so we will do the celebration today.

Curtis Mayfield – Keep on keeping on (BBC TV, 1972):

I love Mayfield’s pleading voice and strong songwriting. In a just world this album would be as well-known as Marvin Gaye’s What’s Goin on, it is equally good. It has many similarities with What’s Goin’ on, the long songs (relatively), the far-reaching ambition both lyrically and musically, the heartbreaking and soulful ballads and the sweet voice of a soul legend at his peak.

The music is extremely bold, Curtis Mayfield creates a sound scape that is both complex and simple at the same time.

And you can dance to it!

Curtis Mayfield – Get Down (Soul Train, 1972):

“The music is even bolder than the material on the Curtis album, with Mayfield expanding his instrumental range to the level of a veritable soul orchestra; and the recording is better realized, as Mayfield, with that album and a tour behind him, shows a degree of confidence that only a handful of soul artists of this era could have mustered. “
– Bruce Eder (allmusic)

Curtis Mayfield – Roots on Spotify:

– Hallgeir