Greatest Hits

Major Lance, “Greatest Hits” (Epic, 1987; original recordings 1963-64)
From the Golden Age of Chicago Soul, here’s a Curtis Mayfield venture that deserves more attention than it’s gotten. Mayfield wrote and produced these smooth, breezy, resonant songs for the Major, who delivered them with perfect ham-actorly aplomb. They show a more fanciful side than Mayfield permitted himself with the Impressions, showcasing outlandish purported dance crazes (picture yourself doing “The Matador” – go on, really do it) or choruses consisting entirely of monosyllables.
Try 1/1, 1/ 4, 2/ 3
8/16/15