Back to the World
AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Albums:
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Back to the World
- Artist: Curtis Mayfield
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1973 05
- Genre: Rhythm & Blues
Review
Back to the World, the first album Curtis Mayfield recorded and released after hitting number one with the intense inner-city vignette Superfly, returned him to a steady balance of optimism for the future and direct social commentary regarding the problems of his people. The lead single, "Future Shock," was inspired by Alvin Toffler's 1970 book of the same name, which warned readers that industrial society was changing so radically that environmental and social problems could be endemic for decades. The track tapped into the same grooves and brass heard on Superfly (perhaps overly so), but said more about the world around ("We got to stop all men, from messing up the land/When won't we understand, this is our last and only chance?"). The title track was very upbeat and positive, as were the refreshing "If I Were Only a Child Again" and "Future Song (Love a Good Woman, Love a Good Man)." With no hit singles to even approach the three high performers from Superfly, though, Back to the World was a distinct disappointment; the music wasn't as powerful as fans were expecting, and though the songs were up to Mayfield's usual high standards, there were many similarities (musically and thematically) to material from each of his proper solo albums. ~ John Bush, Rovi| Back to the Woods: A Tribute to the Pioneers of Blues Piano (2012 Album by Chuck Leavell) | |
| Back to the World (1996 Album by Tevin Campbell) |
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
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Back to the World (Curtis Mayfield album)
| Back to the World | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Curtis Mayfield | ||||
| Released | September, 1973 | |||
| Genre | Funk/Soul | |||
| Length | 36:09 | |||
| Label | Curtom | |||
| Producer | Curtis Mayfield | |||
| Curtis Mayfield chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Robert Christgau | C [2] |
| Warr.org |  [3] |
Back to the World is the fourth studio album by Curtis Mayfield.
"The World" was what US GIs in Vietnam called America, and acclimating back into the world could be a harrowing experience. Curtis Mayfield addresses this problem in the title track to his 1973 album, Back to the World. The album also included his minor hit “Future Shock” (which was remade by Herbie Hancock in 1983 for the album of the same title) and his emotional appeal, “If I Were Only a Child Again.” It took the #1 position on the R&B Albums chart and broke into the Top 20 on the Pop Albums chart.
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Contents
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Track listing
All tracks written and composed by Curtis Mayfield.
- “Back to the World” – 6:45
- “Future Shock” – 5:15
- “Right on for the Darkness” – 7:27
- “Future Song (Love a Good Woman, Love a Good Man)” – 4:58
- “If I Were Only a Child Again” – 2:49
- “Can't Say Nothin'” – 5:13
- “Keep on Trippin'” – 3:12
Chart positions
Billboard Music Charts (North America) - album
| Year | Chart | Chart position |
| 1973 | Pop Albums | #16 |
| 1973 | Black Albums | #1 |
Covers
"Right On For The Darkness" was covered by Fun Lovin' Criminals for a mailing list exclusive in 2009.
See also
References
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AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Albums
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