A fine
Impressions collection, these are the essence of their
ABC recordings. Included are a few early dazzlers when
Arthur and
Richard Brooks blew harmony with
Curtis Mayfield,
Sam Gooden, and
Fred Cash -- the post-
Jerry Butler Impressions. Check the bass on the haunting
"Gypsy Woman" and the heart-warming
"Grow Closer Together," both products of the five-man
Impressions.
Mayfields' light expressive falsetto excels on these crafty, well-arranged sagas.
"Little Young Lover" has a bottom-heavy beat topped by smooth harmonies.
"Minstrel and Queen" matches
"Gypsy Woman"'s mystique and was a favorite of school-yard vocalists.
Mayfield, a prolific songwriter, didn't write weak songs, and was equally proficient on mid-tempo,
ballads, or upbeat songs. Their early tunes built a die-hard following but
"It's All Right" showed an ability to cross over. The finger snapper exploded on
R&B stations and received considerable play on
pop stations.
"Talking About My Baby" kept the momentum flowing, but they dug a permanent spot in hearts with
"I'm So Proud," one of
R&B's prettiest
ballads: as touching as
the Flamingos'
"I Only Have Eyes for You," the Penguins'
"Earth Angel," and
the Miracles'
"Ooh Baby, Baby." In the mid-'60s,
Mayfield revealed his strong, social consciousness by putting his feelings on vinyl. In doing so he showed he could make a difference via his uplifting, spirited songs promoting pride and self-respect. Blacks in the '60s may not have been exposed to powerful, motivating books like
Psychocybernatics or
Think and Grow Rich, but they had
"People Get Ready," "We're a Winner," "We're Rolling On," "Amen," "Meeting Over Yonder," and
"Keep on Pushing." The Impressions never forsook
ballads and continued to crank teary lamenters like
"I've Been Trying," "I Love and I Lost," "I Can't Stay Away From You" -- co-led by
Fred Cash --
"I Made a Mistake," and
"Just One Kiss From You," all included on this excellent collection. ~ Andrew Hamilton