While Shaft and its Isaac Hayes-produced soundtrack may win the Blaxploitation recognition sweepstakes, real heads know that Superfly is both the superior film and Long Playing record (as riveting as incidental joints like "Shaft's Theme From The Hot Tub Scene" are). Shaft's protagonist was said private dick, while Superfly prefigures hip-hop's gangsta obsession by making its central character a badass coke dealer. Curtis Mayfield's work here is one of the towering achievements of the soul-funk era, a spellbinding combination of brilliant songwriting, gritty subject matter, and incredible arrangements played by his ace session band. It captivates from the ominous strings and percussion of the opening track, "Little Child Runnin' Wild," and doesn't let go for the duration of the album. Curtis set a new standard for blunt realism on the ambiguously dark "Pusherman," (sampled by the Dust Brothers for the Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique), assuredly proclaiming "I'm your doctor/When in need/Want some coke/Have some weed" - mind you, this was 1972. On this and other tracks like "Freddie's Dead" and "Give Me Your Love," Mayfield's nimble falsetto gives a humanizing depth to the somewhat stereotypical movie characters that populate the album's songs. I've always thought that Curtis Mayfield has the closest thing I've ever heard to the voice of God; nowhere is this more evident than on the ebullient, effortless "No Thing On Me," which is Curtis at his socially-conscious and inspirational best - just a great sweet soul track. This is the record that made Mayfield a superstar, and deservedly so - it's close to a perfect album, and a great testament to his genius.

• 50th anniversary edition expanded onto 2LP w/ full disc of alt takes, instrumentals, demos + rarities
• black double vinyl pressing
• remastered from the original analog tapes
• deluxe tip-on gatefold jacket
• includes Superfly slipmat, large foldout movie poster + printed foldout insert w/ new liner notes
• individually stamped + numbered
• limited edition one-time pressing
• original release year: 1972
• music label: Run Out Groove 2022

reviewed by Language 10/2005