Eulogy: CURTIS MAYFIELD

CURTIS MAYFIELD’s productions were a singer’s dream and a musician’s delight. The combination of Mayfield and Rich Tufo held a captive and universal audience for their arrangements. We moved and grooved to his sweet, funky, soul-stirring musical scenarios, and said, “Amen, that’s right, go ahead,” as we related.

Whether it was my LP Sparkle or the Staple Singers on the Let’s Do It Again sound track or Claudine or the incredibly famous Superfly sound track–all had the unmistakable and unforgettable, gripping melodies of Mr. Mayfield. He scored in our hearts and minds, and he scored some of the world’s greatest music. We will all miss the gentle genius of this giant.

–Aretha Franklin