Roots Archives Forum

All reggae fans out there; People Get Ready & Check Out Your Mind. If you haven't discovered one of the groups that most influenced Jamaican music, look for it. Also, share your impressions on the impressions on this thread if you'd like

I saw Curtis in '84 before his tragic accident - what an incredible voice he had. His son played with him then. I'm not sure if his band was called the Impressions at that time.

He was a big influence on many soul vocalists as well as those in reggae.

I rate Curtis as one of the most important musicans of the 20th century. He influenced countless other artists, no doubt.
Besides his solo-work you gotta love the Impressions. If you like rocksteady you can't pass them by. Big up Curtis & Impressions everytime!

Try the album "It's All Right" - the originals of Gypsy Woman, Closer Together and Minstrel and Queen all on the one album, superb stuff.

And the original of "It's All Right"

My favourite is LP "Riding High", but any release from the mid 60s is worth picking up.

One of the greats of the century, no doubt.
Great music, great human being. Unanimously adored by foundation reggae artists. He influenced every jamaican artist with his beautiful melodies, chords and those great lyrics...
Just mentioning his name to reggae fathers and watching their expression and admiration of the man...that's what I call recognition! ( no record sales are worth that admiration)

His music inspired JA artists to great performances. There's some nice stuff on this Trojan compilation:

http://www.roots-archives.com/release/3937

Especially check the Techniques and Pat Kelly tracks.

Of course Curtis wrote many concious tunes mostly after he broke away from The Impressions and went solo! The Impressions and their love songs were really the huge influence on JA singers! Here's one to check out that's a gorgeous tune: "I THank Heaven"! WICKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i felt so sorry about his death...one of the big heads in the soul music...

Jerry Butler! Definitely my favorite soul singer of all times!