Roger Reynolds – Curtis Mayfield

Are you familiar with the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Roger Reynolds? I know I’ve heard some of his material before, but just a few hours ago my friend Carl Jacobson posted a Spotify link, and I’ve been in a trance ever since. I can’t quite figure out his sense of form-and honestly, I don’t care. His textures are overwhelmingly compelling!

Time to right the ship. Solution: cancel Reynolds on Spotify and summon Curtis Mayfield. Start with “Superfly,” just to remind myself that at my core, I’m really slick. Then slide over to “Move On Up”-Curtis on the fine line between honoring the groove and lifting us up with his divinely inspired message.

Ultimately, if you want to really bond with Curtis Mayfield, it comes down to “Keep On Pushing,” the one track I’d take with me to that mythical island where possessions are limited. I work with young people in prison; let’s be frank, a majority are minority youth. When I play this recording, I ask them to consider this verse:

“Look over yonder, what’s that I see?
A great big wall stands there in front of me.
But I’ve got my pride, so I move on aside,
And keep on pushin’”

Invariably, there I am, trembling at how far we’ve come, letting these kids know-if they don’t already-that without the grace of Curtis and countless unsung heroes of his era and before, they wouldn’t have the opportunities awaiting them after their exodus from the joint.

Ah, hell… back to Roger Reynolds!