Keep On Keeping On

Known as the "Gentle Genius", Curtis Mayfield has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – first as a member of The Impressions and later as a solo artist. Keep On Keeping On: Curtis Mayfield Studio Albums 1970-1974 spotlights Mayfield's early solo career in a collection that includes newly remastered versions of his first four studio albums: Curtis (1970), Roots (1971), Back to the World (1973) and Sweet Exorcist (1974). "Curtis Mayfield was my husband and we were a team, so it's an especially happy occasion to see these songs featured in a new boxed set on what would be Curtis' 50th anniversary as a solo artist," says Altheida Mayfield. "He passed 20 years ago this year and the family has and continues to lovingly support and share his musical legacy with the world." Mayfield launched his solo career with his 1970 debut album, Curtis. In terms of cultural significance, the album's potent combination of socially conscious lyrics and soul/funk music helped blaze a trail for later albums like Marvin Gaye's What's Going On and Stevie Wonder's Innervisions. Mayfield returned in 1971 with Roots, which peaked at #6 on the US R&B Albums chart. Mayfield's third solo record, 1973's Back to the World, topped the R&B Albums chart, while the final album in this new set, Sweet Exorcist (1974), reached #2 on the R&B Albums chart