Roots cover
Released

Another great album in Mayfield’s impressive early 70s run, his first of two in 1971, features his trademark expansive orchestrated funk — there’s plenty of harps and woodwind among the rattling congas and wah wah guitar — and fuzz guitar/percussion jams. Uncompromising social commentary sits comfortably side by side with his more optimistic tracks and his love songs, all of which are characterised by Mayfield’s celestial-sounding falsetto and his unique guitar style. It’s hippie-soul, psychedelic-funk, cinematic-R’n’B: confident and bold.

Harold Heath

Recommended by

Suggestions
Imagination cover

Imagination

Gladys Knight & the Pips
A Quiet Storm cover

A Quiet Storm

Smokey Robinson
Goin’ Out of My Head cover

Goin’ Out of My Head

Little Anthony & the Imperials
Open Our Eyes cover

Open Our Eyes

Earth, Wind & Fire
Go for It cover

Go for It

Shalamar
Just as I Am cover

Just as I Am

Bill Withers
Rush Hour cover

Rush Hour

Bobby Rush
 Urban Classics cover

Urban Classics

Various Artists
Exposed cover

Exposed

Valerie Simpson
Mama’s Gun cover

Mama’s Gun

Erykah Badu
The Ultimate Collection cover

The Ultimate Collection

Smokey Robinson, The Miracles