Legendary singer, songwriter, and producer Curtis Mayfield’s third solo album, released in 1972, was also his first soundtrack, created for the controversial blaxploitation film Super Fly. Although the film was not a major success, Mayfield’s Grammy-nominated, soulful, and funky score took on a life of its own, reaching No. 1 and eventually selling millions of copies worldwide.
Super Fly’s combination of timely themes opposing drugs and violence, which ran counter to the film’s message, and killer grooves proved irresistible, keeping the music in heavy rotation on the radio. The album features at least three bona fide soul classics: “Freddie’s Dead” and the title track, both million sellers, along with the poignant “Pusherman
Over the years, as I began seriously collecting Curtis Mayfield’s albums on vinyl, I came to understand just how popular this album was and remains. It took me ages, with several upgrades along the way, to find an affordable original Curtom Records pressing with the super cool die cut half cover in good condition.
Super Fly was a party album, and like many hit soul and jazz records of the era, it was played hard, often on the average automatic record changers of the day. As a result, clean original pressings in excellent condition are fairly scarce and can command high prices on the secondary market, ranging from about $50 to well over $100. Check Discogs for an idea of what I am talking about.
Fortunately for audiophile oriented Super Fly fans, that is no longer an issue. Rhino High Fidelity’s excellent edition is readily available and actually sounds better than my original pressing. The overall presentation is far less compressed, with richer bass, more expressive midrange, and cleaner highs. The stereo soundstage also feels wider, more spacious, and more natural.
That is not entirely surprising given Rhino High Fidelity’s exemplary track record for presenting classic recordings in their best light. Kevin Gray of Cohearent Audio cut the new lacquers, and Optimal Media in Germany manufactured the 180 gram vinyl pressings.
The glossy laminated tip on style cover is arguably more attractive than the original, save for one crucial detail: Rhino did not recreate the die cut design. In a way, I get it. You cannot play the cover, right? True. But it remains a very cool and iconic part of the album’s visual identity.
Still, you know what? I am learning to live with it. The overall production quality of the new Rhino High Fidelity edition is superior, with crisper photography, clearer details, and a full gatefold featuring newly included period images.
At the end of the day, it is all about the music, and Rhino High Fidelity’s Super Fly reissue sounds terrific. More than five decades later, the album remains timeless. While the album will probably eventually be available on other outlets, the current numbered limited edition (of 5000) is available direct from Rhino’s website for $39.98 so get one while you can.
Our Ratings
★★★★★★★★★★ (5 out of 5) Music
★★★★★★★★★★ (5 out of 5) Sound
★★★★★★★★★★ (4.9 out of 5) Packaging
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. Learn more about him at LinkedIn.
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