"Actor: Curtis Mayfield"

• Curtis Mayfield-in Concert | DVD | (11/11/2002) from £16.20   |  Saving you £-0.21 (-1.30%)   |  RRP £15.99

• Curtis Mayfield - Montreux 1987 | DVD | (01/12/2008) from £9.98   |  Saving you £3.01 (23.20%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Curtis Mayfield - Montreux 1987

• Curtis Mayfield - Live At Ronnie Scott's | DVD | (14/11/2005) from £6.97   |  Saving you £3.02 (43.33%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Filmed in 1988, just two years before a cruel stage accident left him wheelchair-bound and unable to perform, Curtis Mayfield Live at Ronnie Scott's showcases the undiminished talents of one of the late, great soulmen. In the 1980s, Mayfield enjoyed a revival of interest in Britain following the rare groove explosion, when clubbers weary of chart music, hip-hop and techno rediscovered the warmer, more organic sounds of 70s soulsters, though Mayfield is not to blame for the Luddite and austere white soul movement led by the likes of Paul Weller. Here, Mayfield is interviewed by Weller, to whom he explains his roots in church music. When pushed by the Style Council frontman on his radical political beliefs, Mayfield politely demurs, claiming, perhaps to Weller's dismay, to be apolitical. He describes America as "land of the free" and his backing musicians, strangely, wear stars and stripes tank tops. Mayfield's music, though, bristles with attitude. Unlike subsequent hip-hoppers and garage acts, Mayfield was unequivocal in de-glamorising ghetto lifestyle. And though he wrote scores for films like Superfly, he consciously subverted their "blaxploitation". The message of songs like "Freddie's Dead" and "Pusherman", performed here, is that the desperate life of guns 'n' drugs is a crying shame. Mayfield spoke gently, sang sweetly and his soul arrangements floated like cream, but his music carried a huge stick. This 1988 performance is no retro-fest, but is as stirring and vital as his 70s heyday. On the DVD: Curtis Mayfield Live at Ronnie Scott's has an introduction from Kevin Le Gendre which points up Mayfield's revolutionary qualities, particularly his setting up his own record label. He also provides individual audio commentaries for tracks, offering perspicacious remarks on "To Be Invisible", for instance, Mayfield's encore, based on Ralph Ellison's book The Invisible Man. --David Stubbs

• Curtis Mayfield And The Impressions - Movin' On Up 1965 - 1974 | DVD | (05/05/2008) from £21.58   |  Saving you £-6.59 (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  This two-hour film tells the incredible story of one of the greatest artists and most important R&B groups of all time. Also included in the documentary are 22 complete vintage television performances from The Impressions and Curtis Mayfield's solo career filmed between 1965 and 1973. In addition to telling the history of Curtis Mayfield as an artist and the Impressions as a group the film explores how The Impressions' music was a virtual soundtrack for the civil rights era in the '60s. In an interview filmed exclusively for the documentary civil rights leader Ambassador Andrew Young (who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) speaks about the effect classic Impressions songs such as People Get Ready Choice of Colours and We're A Winner had on the movement and how often their songs were sung for inspiration in churches and during marches (some led by Dr. King.) The film also shows how Curtis Mayfield's solo work helped define the early '70s. Chuck D leader of the rap group Public Enemy provides context about Curtis's music as a soundtrack to the grim realities of urban life culminating with his 1972 masterpiece Superfly. In addition Carlos Santana speaks about Curtis Mayfield's unique genius as a songwriter artist and teacher and also comments on the spiritual nature of his music. Also featured in the film are Impressions Fred Cash and Sam Gooden who discuss the history of the group beginning with their origins in the late '50s and share incredible stories about many of their classic songs as well as give insight into Curtis as a songwriter. In addition producer/arranger Johnny Pate speaks about the recording process of their classic songs and reminisces about the Impressions in the studio. Altheida Mayfield Curtis's widow provides tender insight into the personal side of Curtis including his inspirations and aspirations as well as stories about Curtis as a husband and family man. Curtis Mayfield himself speaks through several archival interviews filmed throughout his career. Tracklist: It's All Right (1965) Woman's Got Soul (1965) I Need You (1965) People Get Ready (1965) Meeting Over Yonda (1965) We're A Winner/Amen (1968) This Is My County (1970) Choice of Colours (1969) Check Out Your Mind (1970) (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Gonna Go (1970) Keep On Keeping On (1972) We've Got To Have Peace (1972) We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue/ Give Me Your Love (1972) Superfly (1972) Freddie's Dead (1972) Pusherman (1972) Eddie You Should Know Better (1973) Future Shock (1973) The Makings Of You (1970)

• Curtis Mayfield - Live In Concert | DVD | (11/11/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Recorded: April 28th 1990. The 60-minute DVD features Curtis Mayfield in a rare live performance. Perhaps because he didn't cross over to the pop audience as heavily as Motown's stars it may be that the scope of Mayfield's talents and contributions have yet to be fully recognized. Judged merely by his records alone the man's legacy is enormous. As the leader of the Impressions he recorded some of the finest soul vocal group music of the 1960s. As a solo artist in the 1970s he he

• Funk You Very Much | DVD | (27/03/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Funk is in the house! Thirteen artists and bands including Johnny ""Guitar"" Watson Tower Of Power Curtis Mayfield Larry Carlton Marcus Miller Terence Trent D'Arby and more present a firework show of crisp horn parts punchy bass lines and jangling guitar licks. Take a touch of jazz blues R&B funk soul and pop played by the best and most abiding artists that the international music scene of recent years has to offer. Enjoy the energy-laden live atmosphere of the ""Ohne-Filter""

• Soul On Fire | DVD | (23/02/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  It is time for the lighters shining eyes and strong emotions when the great names of soul jazz pop and blues get together here on this DVD to play their ballads live. With soft harmonies melodic instrumental figures and the suggestive force of beautiful voices these songs of love and passion go stright to the heart.