My new favorite soul group, The Impressions, deserve better recognition. This is the finest Chicago soul, featuring my man Curtis Mayfield with his amazing falsetto, guitar, and songwriting talent. Prior to discovering their influence on Jamaican popular music and Mayfield's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, I was ignorant of this amazing group. Here are their best cuts in my humble opinion:
1. Emotions with Jerry Butler. "Why can't I cry?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrcY5glwbx0
2. Minstrel and Queen became popular with 1960s Jamaican vocalists. Better known as "Queen Majesty" in Jamaica.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB751HLIT5M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAxxgnQQ6po Jamaican version by Dennis Brown
3. I'm So Proud is the first Impressions song I liked. "I'm so proud of being loved by you"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow00BrG6K9I
4. People Get Ready is a civil rights jam. Inspired Bob Marley's One Love. "People get ready there's a train a'comin"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nH3fKH10oM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MnbrN38sJ4&feature=related Jamaican version
5. Keep On Pushing is another pro-civil rights anthem. "I know I can make it with just a little bit of soul" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvM0bDj3pOk
6. Meeting Over Yonder is a funky jam cut. "Children, are you ready? There's gonna be a meeting over yonder!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYOwOPjVcU
7. We're a Winner is another jam about the Civil Rights Movement and black pride. Mayfield is beginning to lean more toward funk music in this 1967 song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLMRzDFMvEo&feature=related
8. It's All Right is perhaps my favorite song by The Impressions. "You got soul and everybody knows and it's all right..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X7Esq8nu0s&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhTjPYxQKMw&feature=related
9. Talking 'Bout My Baby is another great cut by The Impressions. "I want to talk about my baby"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O0wuuh-Tlg&feature=related
10. I'm the One Who Loves You.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGNkcYwTywQ&feature=related
11. Gypsy Woman is also catchy with some castanets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wd4tlX5t-Q&feature=related
12. Choice of Colors is a black power jam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNV1Y01xNk8
13. Never Let Me Go is old school doo wop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjGW8Eg9nQg&feature=related
14. Don't Let it Hide "Speak your mind if we can't get along"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoS7ZzWh-k8
15. My Woman's Love is a beautifully orchestrated song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcFbyZb-5cA
16. Little Young Lover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILdKTumrQIM
17. Hard to Believe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_QzvTTcZ28
18. Can't Work No Longer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQcwF93JWM4
19. Sometimes I Wonder is funky http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PBKVwS-EBY
20. I Need You "I don't wanna be happy with somebody else when I know in my mind I'd be wastin' her time"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1QeoyWg45Y
21. Can't Satisfy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-jTOskAGso Almost sounds like Motown
22. You've Been Cheating http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSEj5OQLbjU
23. I've Been Trying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQFCT3cWGyM
24. Amen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMZcUZQ8C78
25. I Thank Heaven http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK4oheZcEXI
26. See the Real Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX-PUndGge0
27. You Must Believe Me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL_1w_sJRt4
28. Get Up and Move "Get up and move!"
http://grooveshark.com/s/Get+Up+And+Move/3DAvAo?src=5
29. We're in Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw4vduoCKCo
30. Woman's Got Soul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRwJ2WDdxaU
31. Somebody Help Me is a blues song http://grooveshark.com/s/Somebody+Help+Me/3DAyYY?src=5
32. Long, Long Winter was covered by The Wailers! "It's gonna be a long, long winter for me. A long, long winter, you'll see."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwUpqbhU1Og
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvYFDcKunVQ
33. Dedicate My Song to You sounds like Sam Cooke's Wonderful World
http://grooveshark.com/s/Dedicate+My+Song+To+You/3DAy0q?src=5
34. I'm Loving Nothing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRedezmCpeY
35. Twist and Limbo is a silly dance tune but still catchy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyRrD4AvGWs
36. This is My Country (black folks built this country)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_esbRoOeR0
37. Finally Got Myself Together is pure funk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiS5L-WCthQ
38. We're Rolling On is another funk jam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5fIpXLlhtY
39. Seven Years also worth checking out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co6Q6jpUdUE
40. My Deceiving Heart is gospel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi49YVZOKJQ
41. Mighty Mighty is a funk jam about black and white empowerment together. "Black and white power"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7Rdr22dBPE
42. Check Out Your Mind is more Mayfield funk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HxvRoqDefI
43. I'm a Telling You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GryV3721QgY
44. I'm Still Waiting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRGHdp35lQw
45. Fool for You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3i4hOYnJ_E
46. I Gotta Keep on Movin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0krjcpXt6yE
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