Curtis Mayfield i Jerry Butler poznali się w religijnym chórze
działającym przy The Travelling Soul Spiritualists Church. Wraz z jego
członkami założyli grupy The Modern Jubilaires i Northern Jubilee Singers, po czym ich drogi na krótko się rozeszły. Mayfield przyłączył się do zespołu The Alphatones, a Butler wraz z Goodenem i braćmi Brooks do The Roosters, do których z czasem doszedł też Mayfield jako gitarzysta.
Nazwę The Impressions przyjęli za radą menedżera. Pierwszy singel nagrany dla wytwórni Abner/ Falcon, z fascynującą balladą "For Your Precious Love",
osiągnął w 1958 r. 2. miejsce na amerykańskiej liście przebojów.
Kwestia autorstwa (płytę sygnowano nazwą Jerry Butler And The
Impressions) spowodowała niesnaski w zespole i ponowne rozstanie dwóch
założycieli po kolejnym nagraniu. Butlerowi powiodło się lepiej niż
pozostałym członkom grupy. W 1960 r. odniósł sukces płytą "He Will Break Your Heart",
w nagraniu
której uczestniczył też Mayfield. Sukces ten,w połączeniu z zyskuj±cymi
uznanie kompozycjami Curtisa, doprowadził do powrotu The Impressions do
łask słuchaczy.
W 1961 r., podpisawszy kontrakt z ABC Paramount, powrócili na listy przebojów tematem "Gypsy Woman". Póżniejszym singlom wiodło się gorzej, ale w 1963 r. "It's All Right"
znalazło się na czele listy rhythm'n'bluesowej, czwartym miejscu w
kategorii przebojów popowych. Grupa występowała wówczas jako trio
złożone z Mayfielda, Goodena i Freda Casha, włączając wokalne pomysły rytmiczne z wyszukanymi aranżacjami Johnny'ego Patera.
Utwory "I'm Proud", "Keep On Pushing" ,"You Must Be Me" (wszystkie z 1964 r.) i "People Get Ready"
(z 1965 r.) potwierdziły kompozytorską dojrzałość Mayfielda jako autora
tematów na przemian rytmicznych oraz żywiołowych i dosadnych. Ostatnim
singlem Impressions, któremu udało się wejście pierwszej dziesiątki
amerykańskich przebojów był "Amen", wykorzystany w filmie z 1963 r. "Lilie The Field"
(tytuł polski "Polne lilie", reż. R. Welson, 7. Sidneyem Poitier, który
za swoją otrzymał nagrodę Oskara ). Mayfield założył kolejno dwie
własne wytwórnie płytowe: Windy C w 1966 r. i Mayfield w 1967 r., dopiero trzeciej - Curtom, udało się przetrwać na rynku.
W tzw. międzyczasie Impressions wyzwala się z dominującego w ich muzyce brzmienia Tamla Motown. Nagrania "You Been Cheatin'" (z 1965) i "You Always Hurt Me" (z
1967 r.), choć niezłe, pozbawione były subtelności dawnych nagrań
Wynikało to ze zmiany podejścia Mayfielda do muzyki, którą zaczął
traktować jako formę artykułowania pozamuzycznych przekonań. "This My Country" (z 1968 r.), "Mighty Mighty Spade And Whitey" (z 1969 r.) i "Check Out Your Mind" (z 1970 r.) były zdecydowanie politycznymi deklaracjami, a ostatni nagrany z Impressions album Young Mod's Forgotten Story, miał być punktem wyjścia do jego solowej kariery.
Curtis opuścił grupę w 1970 r., zastąpiony przez Leroya Hutsona który z kolei odszedł w 1973 r. Do zespołu doszedł wtedy Reggie Torian i Ralph Johnson, a nowy skład trafił w 1974 r. na szczyt listy rhythm bluesowej tematem "Finally Got Myself Together (I'm A Changed Man)". W rok póżniej utwór "First Impressions" wszedł jako pierwszy do brytyjskiej Top 20, jednak w 1976 r. z zespołem pożegnał się Johnson. Wprawdzie Mayfield, But Cash i Gooden występowali sporadycznie raz jednak jedynie dwaj ostatni zapewniali ciągi trwania The Impressions.
Single | ||||||
Tytu³ | Wykonawca | Data wydania | UK | US | Wytwórnia [US] |
Komentarz |
For your precious love / Sweet Was The Wine | Jerry Butler & Impressions | 06.1958 | - | 11[12] | Abner 1013 | [written by Arthur Brooks, Richard Brooks,Jerry Butler][3[7].R&B Chart] |
Come Back My Love/Love Me | The Impressions Featuring Jerry Butler | 10.1958 | - | - | Abner 1017 | [written by R. Hamilton, C. Otis ][29[1].R&B Chart] |
Gypsy woman/ As Long As You Love Me | Impressions | 10.1961 | - | 20[15] | ABC 10 241 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][2[11].R&B Chart] |
Grow closer together/Can’t You See | Impressions | 02.1962 | - | 99[1] | ABC 10 289 | [written by Curtis Mayfield] |
Little young lover/Never Let Me Go | Impressions | 07.1962 | - | 96[1] | ABC 10 328 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Mal Williams ] |
Minstrel And Queen / You’ve Come Home | Impressions | 10.1962 | - | 113[6] | ABC 10 357 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Mal Williams ] |
I' m the one who loves you/ I Need Your Love | Impressions | 02.1963 | - | 73[6] | ABC 10386 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Mal Williams ] |
Sad ,sad girl and boy/ Twist And Limbo | Impressions | 05.1963 | - | 84[4] | ABC 10 431 | [written by Curtis Mayfield] |
It' s all right / You’ll Want Me Back | Impressions | 09.1963 | - | 4[14] | ABC 10 487 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][1[5][21].R&B; Chart] |
Talking about my baby/ Never Took Such Love | Impressions | 01.1964 | - | 12[9] | ABC 10511 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][2[13].R&B Chart] |
I' m so proud / I Made A Mistake | Impressions | 04.1964 | - | 14[11] | ABC 10 544 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Johnny Pate][2[15].R&B Chart] |
Keep on pushing/ I Love You | Impressions | 06.1964 | - | 10[13] | ABC 10 554 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Johnny Pate][1[2][16].R&B Chart] |
You must believe me/ See The Real Me | Impressions | 09.1964 | - | 15[10] | ABC 10581 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][3[16].R&B Chart] |
Amen/ Long Long Winter | Impressions | 11.1964 | - | 7[11] | ABC 10 602 | [A:written by Jerry Goldsmith][B:written by C. Mayfield][A:produced by Johnny Pate][piosenka z filmu "Lillies of the field"][A:1[3][12].R&B Chart][B:35[2].R&B Chart] |
People get ready/I’ve Been Trying | Impressions | 02.1965 | - | 14[8] side B:133[1] | ABC 10 622 | [A&B:written by C. Mayfield][produced by Johnny Pate][A:3[10].R&B Chart][B:35[2].R&B Chart] |
Woman' s got soul / Get Up And Move | Impressions | 04.1965 | - | 29[7] | ABC 10 647 | [written by C. Mayfield][9[7].R&B Chart] |
Meeting over yonder/ I’ve Found That I’ve Lost | Impressions | 06.1965 | - | 48[8] | ABC 10 670 | [written by C. Mayfield][12[9].R&B Chart] |
I need you/ Never Could You Be Me | Impressions | 08.1965 | - | 64[7] | ABC 10 710 | [written by C. Mayfield][A:26[7].R&B Chart][B:35[4].R&B Chart] |
Just one kiss from you/Twilight Time | Impressions | 10.1965 | - | 76[5] | ABC 10 725 | [written byC. Mayfield] |
You' ve been cheatin' / Man Oh Man | Impressions | 11.1965 | - | 33[9] | ABC 10 750 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][12[11].R&B Chart] |
Since i lost the one i love/Falling In Love With You | Impressions | 02.1966 | - | 90[2] | ABC 10761 | [written by Curtis Mayfield] |
Too slow/ No One Else | Impressions | 04.1966 | - | 91[3] | ABC 10 789 | [written by Curtis Mayfield] |
Can' t satisfy / This Must End | Impressions | 09.1966 | - | 65[7] | ABC 10 831 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][12[12].R&B Chart] |
You always hurt me/ Little Girl | Impressions | 03.1967 | - | 96[2] | ABC 10 900 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Johnny Pate][20[11].R&B Chart] |
You've Got Me Runnin'/It's Hard To Believe | Impressions | 07.1967 | - | - | ABC 10 932 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Johnny Pate][50[2].R&B Chart] |
I can' t stay away from you/You Ought To Be In Heaven | Impressions | 09.1967 | - | 80[4] | ABC 10 964 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Johnny Pate][34[6].R&B Chart] |
We' re a winner / It’s All Over | Impressions | 12.1967 | - | 14[13] | ABC 11 022 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Johnny Pate][1[1][17].R&B; Chart] |
We' re rolling on/ Part 2 | Impressions | 04.1968 | - | 63[7] | ABC 11 071 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield, Johnny Pate][17[17].R&B; Chart] |
I loved and i lost/ Up Up And Away | Impressions | 07.1968 | - | 61[8] | ABC 11 103 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Johnny Pate][9[9].R&B; Chart] |
Fool for you/ I’m Loving Nothing | Impressions | 09.1968 | - | 22[12] | Curtom 1932 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][3[12].R&B; Chart] |
Don' t cry my love/Sometimes I Wonder | Impressions | 11.1968 | - | 71[4] | ABC 11 135 | [written by Curtis Mayfield, Oscar Brown Jr.][produced by Johnny Pate][44[3].R&B; Chart] |
This is my country/ My Woman’s Love | Impressions | 11.1968 | - | 25[10] | Curtom 1934 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][8[11].R&B; Chart] |
My Deceiving Heart / You Want Somebody Else | Impressions | 02.1969 | - | 104[3] | Curtom 1937 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][23[6].R&B; Chart] |
Seven years / The Girl I Find | Impressions | 04.1969 | - | 84[4] | Curtom 1940 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][15[7].R&B; Chart] |
Choice of colours/ Mighty Mighty Spade And Whitey | Impressions | 06.1969 | - | 21[11] | Curtom 1943 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][1[1][13].R&B; Chart] |
Say you love me / You’ll Always Be Mine | Impressions | 10.1969 | - | 58[9] | Curtom 1946 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][10[10].R&B; Chart] |
Amen / Wherever She Leadeth Me | Impressions | 12.1969 | - | 110[4] side B:128[2] | Curtom 1948 | [A:written by J. Pate, C. Mayfield][B:written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][A:44[2].R&B; Chart][B:31[4].R&B; Chart] |
Check out your mind/Can’t You See | Impressions | 05.1970 | - | 28[12] | Curtom 1951 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][3[12].R&B; Chart] |
[Baby]Turn on to me / Soulful Love | Impressions | 09.1970 | - | 56[8] | Curtom 1954 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][6[10].R&B; Chart] |
Ain' t got time / I’m So Proud | Impressions | 02.1971 | - | 53[6] | Curtom 1957 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][12[10].R&B; Chart] |
Love me/ Do You Wanna Win | Impressions | 07.1971 | - | 94[3] | Curtom 1959 | [written by Curtis Mayfield][produced by Curtis Mayfield][25[5].R&B; Chart] |
This Loves For Real/Times Have Changed | Impressions | 04.1972 | - | - | Curtom 1970 | [written by Hutson, Hawkins][produced by Curtis Mayfield][41[3].R&B; Chart] |
If It's In You To Do Wrong/Times Have Changed | Impressions | 12.1973 | - | - | Curtom 1994 | [written by L. Simon, L. J. Tribble][produced by Rich Tufo, Lowrell Simon][26[13].R&B; Chart] |
Finally got myself together/I’ll Always Be There | Impressions | 05.1974 | - | 17[18] | Curtom 1997 | [written by E. Townsend][produced by Ed Townsend Productions][1[2][17].R&B; Chart] |
Sooner or later/ Miracle Woman | Impressions | 07.1975 | - | 68[8] | Curtom 0103 | [written by E. Townsend][produced by Ed Townsend ][3[19].R&B; Chart] |
Same thing it took/ I’m So Glad | Impressions | 11.1975 | - | 75[4] | Curtom 0106 | [written by Ed Townsend, Chuck Jackson, Marvin Yancy][produced by Ed Townsend ][3[15].R&B; Chart] |
First impressions/Loving Power | Impressions | 11.1975 | 16[10] | side B:103[5] | Curtom 0110 | [A:written by Ed Townsend][B:written by C. Jackson, M. Yancy][A:produced by Ed Townsend ][B:produced by Chuck Jackson, Marvin Yancy][B:11[13].R&B; Chart] |
Sunshine/I Wish I'd Stayed In Bed | Impressions | 05.1976 | - | - | Curtom 0116 | [written by B. Sigler, P. Hurtt][produced by Rich Tufo][36[ 9].R&B; Chart] |
This Time/I'm A Fool For Love | Impressions | 11.1976 | - | - | Cotillion 44210 | [written by McKinley Jackson, Shirley Jones][produced by McKinley Jackson][40[11].R&B; Chart] |
You'll Never Find/Stardust | Impressions | 03.1977 | - | - | Cotillion 44214 | [written by Mervin Steals, Melvin Steals][produced by McKinley Jackson][99[1].R&B; Chart] |
Can't Get Along/You're So Right For Me | Impressions | 07.1977 | - | - | Cotillion 44222 | [written by Ellis, Richmond][produced by Johnny Pate][42[8].R&B; Chart] |
Can't Wait 'Til Tomorrow/ Love Workin' On Me | Impressions | 02.1987 | - | - | MCA 52995 | [written by D. Matkosky, B. Neale, B. Alfonso][produced by Jerry Michael][91[2].R&B; Chart] |
Albumy *308* | ||||||
Tytu³ | Wykonawca | Data wydania | UK | US | Wytwórnia [US] |
Komentarz |
The Impressions | Impressions | 08.1963 | - | 43[33] | ABC-Paramount 450 | [produced by Curtis Mayfield, Rory Glover, Jr.] |
The never ending Impressions | Impressions | 03.1964 | - | 52[22] | ABC-Paramount 468 | |
Keep on pushing | Impressions | 08.1964 | - | 8[34] | ABC-Paramount 493 | [produced by Curtis Mayfield] |
People get ready | Impressions | 03.1965 | - | 23[19] | ABC-Paramount 505 | [produced by Johnny Pate] |
The Impressions Greatest Hits | Impressions | 03.1965 | - | 83[15] | ABC-Paramount 515 | |
One by one | Impressions | 09.1965 | - | 104[9] | ABC-Paramount 523 | [produced by Johnny Pate] |
Ridin' high | Impressions | 03.1966 | - | 79[10] | ABC-Paramount 545 | [produced by Johnny Pate] |
The Fabulous Impressions | Impressions | 07.1967 | - | 184[11] | ABC 606 | [produced by Johnny Pate] |
We' re a winner | Impressions | 03.1968 | - | 35[27] | ABC 635 | [produced by Johnny Pate] |
The best of The Impressions | Impressions | 09.1968 | - | 172[15] | ABC 654 | |
This is my country | Impressions | 12.1968 | - | 107[13] | Curtom 8001 | [produced by Curtis Mayfield] |
The Young Mod' s Forgotten Story | Impressions | 05.1969 | - | 104[18] | Curtom 8003 | [produced by Curtis Mayfield] |
16 Greatest Hits | Impressions | 03.1971 | - | 180[6] | ABC 727 | |
Times have changed | Impressions | 04.1972 | - | 192[2] | Curtom 8012 | [produced by Curtis Mayfield] |
Curtis Mayfield/His early years with The Impressions | Impressions | 03.1973 | - | 180[6] | ABC 780 | |
Finally got myself together | Impressions | 07.1974 | - | 176[3] | Curtom 8019 | [produced by Ed Townsend] |
First Impressions | Impressions | 08.1975 | - | 115[5] | Curtom 5003 | [produced by Ed Townsend, J. Scott, Rich Tufo] |
Loving power | Impressions | 03.1976 | - | 195[3] | Curtom 5009 | [produced by Chuck Jackson, Ed Townsend, Marvin Yancy, Rich Tufo ] |
The vintage years | Impressions | 02.1977 | - | 199[2] | Sire 3717 |
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