Curtis Mayfield - Sweet Exorcist (LP)
- LP
- 1 piece(s)
- 1974
- 7 tracks
- 32 min
- soul
Sweet Exorcist
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4.8
Average of 4 reviews
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Before I share my thoughts on this album, I'd like to set the scene regarding physical music formats in general. I was raised on vinyl, witnessed its decline, and saw CDs take over. Many of my all-time favorite albums were on vinyl and were quite old, in fact, they were part of my parents' collection. When CDs hit the mainstream, I was all in and eagerly bought CD versions of many albums I'd already enjoyed on vinyl. I figured the supposedly superior format would reveal details I'd previously missed. This seemed reasonable since those albums had been played to death by two generations. So, I embraced the digital age, confident I was hearing music as it was meant to be heard. Fast forward thirty years and I stumbled upon a budget Curtis Mayfield anthology featuring five full albums for a steal. Discovering Back In The World, Curtis, and Sweet Exorcist all at once led to inevitable comparisons. I concluded that Sweet Exorcist was a step down and the start of a decline. It generally sounded flat, muffled, and lacked dynamism. Some years later, I'd returned to vinyl and while browsing, I came across Sweet Exorcist. Despite my earlier dismissal, I adore the cover art and think the title is absolutely fantastic, so I bought it. Upon listening, I realized it's actually one of Curtis' best. I might even like it more than Curtis or Roots. My earlier negative opinion was entirely due to poor CD mastering, which brings it all full circle. In this case, I had to get an old vinyl copy to truly hear the album, as the CD was unsatisfactory. That being said, it's good, it's real good. If you're already a fan, it's a must-have. If the price tag for used vinyl seems high, pay it, there's no better way to listen to it than the original pressing. The price tag isn't that high either, in case you were thinking hundreds of dollars. Eighteen, that's what an absolutely pristine original set me back, and frankly, I've paid more for brand new albums that don't sound as good as what was being manufactured back in '74.
I'm puzzled by the negative feedback on this pressing. It sounds fantastic to me. There's no hiss and the dynamics are excellent. I don't have any low-end or high-end audio gear. These records, even the originals, aren't meant to be HIFI showpieces. But I still think it's true to the original.
Absolute ice-cold, top-tier Soul/Funk record. This one's got to be up there with the all-time greats.
The sound quality is fantastic. I purchased this used copy and it's in incredible condition. I hadn't listened to the album before buying it, but it was an easy decision at the record shop due to my trust in artists like Curtis Mayfield. I've found myself returning to this record since last year. The first time I played it, certain tracks really stood out to me, and now I realize I've been listening to it quite often. I keep coming back to it and it just keeps getting better. I really appreciate the pacing and track order of the album. You'll find a perfect mix of soulful depth and funky grooves here. There's an effortless quality to it, even as the vocals build to a crescendo. It's an outstanding funk/soul record.
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