Curtis Mayfield - Superfly (1972 Curtom First Pressing)

Some soundtracks accompany a film. Curtis Mayfield's Superfly transcended its film entirely. Released on July 11, 1972, on Curtom Records, this album did something almost unheard of in cinema history: it outgrossed the movie it was made for. The original first pressing on Curtom (catalog number CRS-8014-ST) is a cornerstone of any serious soul, funk, or soundtrack vinyl collection, and it remains one of the most important albums ever recorded.

The Making of a Masterpiece

Curtis Mayfield was already an established star when director Gordon Parks Jr. approached him about contributing music to Super Fly, a blaxploitation film about a cocaine dealer trying to leave the drug trade. Parks initially just wanted Mayfield and his backing band to appear as a nightclub act in a background scene. He needed a complete song for that scene, and that simple request snowballed into one of the most ambitious soundtrack projects of the 1970s.

The recording sessions were spread across two studios and several months. The song "Pusherman" was recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York. After a hiatus during which Mayfield continued writing, the instrumentals for the remaining tracks were produced in an intense three-day session at Curtom Studios in Chicago. That session involved an in-studio band of up to 40 performers, creating the rich, layered arrangements that define the album's sound.

Guitar player Craig McMullen later explained the advantage of recording with a full orchestra: "When you place your licks, you don't have to worry about your licks bumping. You can hear everything that's going to go down." The result was a seamless blend of orchestral soul, wah-wah guitar funk, and socially conscious lyrics that had no real precedent in popular music.

The Music and Its Message

What sets Superfly apart from other blaxploitation soundtracks is the tension between the film and the music. The movie takes a somewhat ambiguous view of its drug-dealing protagonist. Mayfield's music does not. His lyrics are unflinchingly critical of the drug trade, painting vivid pictures of addiction, exploitation, and the hollow promise of street wealth.

"Freddie's Dead" became a number 2 R&B hit and reached number 4 on the pop charts. The title track "Superfly" hit number 5 R&B and number 8 pop. Both singles sold over a million copies each. The album itself reached number 1 on the Billboard 200, an extraordinary achievement for a soundtrack album in 1972.

But the real magic is in the deep cuts. "Pusherman" builds tension with its creeping bassline and paranoid atmosphere. "Little Child Runnin' Wild" addresses the cycle of poverty and neglect that feeds the drug trade. "Think" is a plea for self-reflection that resonates just as powerfully today as it did five decades ago.

Mayfield's falsetto vocals, floating above the dense instrumental arrangements, create a contrast between beauty and brutality that gives the album its emotional weight. He sings about ugly realities in the most gorgeous voice imaginable, and that disconnect is part of what makes Superfly so unforgettable.

Identifying the First Pressing

The original 1972 Curtom first pressing carries the catalog number CRS-8014-ST (the ST suffix indicates stereo). Here's what to look for:

Label: The original Curtom label is a distinctive yellow and orange design with the Curtom logo prominently displayed. First pressings have the Buddah Records distribution credit, as Curtom was distributed through Buddah during this period.

Sleeve: The original sleeve features the iconic artwork of a well-dressed man (representing the film's protagonist Priest) stepping out of a car. First pressings have a die-cut gatefold sleeve. The inner gatefold typically includes credits, lyrics, or promotional material.

Dead Wax: Check the matrix numbers in the dead wax area. First pressing matrix numbers will correspond to the original CRS-8014 catalog. Look for "CRS-8014" etched or stamped in the runout groove area.

Vinyl Weight: Original 1972 pressings are on standard-weight vinyl of the era. If the record feels unusually heavy (180g), it's likely a modern reissue.

Insert: Some first pressings included a printed inner sleeve or insert. The presence of original inserts adds value.

Condition and Value Guide

Superfly sold extremely well on its initial release, which means copies are plentiful. However, condition varies enormously, and the die-cut sleeve is prone to wear. Here's the current market:

First pressings with the die-cut gatefold in excellent condition command the highest prices. The die-cut design is fragile, and many surviving copies have splits, creases, or worn edges on the sleeve even when the vinyl itself is in good shape.

Recent eBay sold listings show original first pressings in VG+ condition typically selling between $20 and $40. Near Mint copies with clean die-cut sleeves can reach $100 to $150. Modern 180g reissues are available for $20 to $30 and offer excellent sound quality for listeners who prioritize audio over collectibility.

Cultural Legacy

Superfly's influence extends far beyond the vinyl collector market. The album is regularly cited as one of the greatest soundtracks ever recorded and one of the most important albums in the history of soul and funk music. It has been sampled extensively in hip-hop, with its grooves appearing in tracks by artists from Notorious B.I.G. to Kanye West.

The album was a pioneering concept record in the soul genre, joining Marvin Gaye's What's Going On (1971) as one of the first soul albums to present a unified thematic statement rather than a collection of singles. Both albums proved that soul music could address serious social issues while remaining commercially viable.

Mayfield's critical stance on the drug trade was particularly significant. While the film could be accused of glamorizing its dealer protagonist, Mayfield's music provided an unambiguous counterpoint. This tension between film and soundtrack created a richer cultural conversation than either work could have achieved alone.

Collecting Tips

1. Prioritize the sleeve. With Superfly, the die-cut gatefold sleeve is often the condition bottleneck. A VG+ record in a VG sleeve is a common combination. Finding both components in matching high grades is the real challenge.

2. Check for the Buddah distribution credit. This confirms you have a first pressing distributed through the original channel. Later pressings may show different distribution information.

3. Listen for pressing quality. Early Curtom pressings generally have good sound quality, but QC was not always consistent. Surface noise issues on an otherwise clean-looking record may indicate a pressing defect rather than play wear.

4. Consider the soundtrack context. If you're building a blaxploitation soundtrack collection, Superfly is the essential centerpiece alongside Isaac Hayes' Shaft and Bobby Womack's Across 110th Street.

5. Don't overlook the singles. The 7-inch singles for "Freddie's Dead" and "Superfly" on Curtom are collectible in their own right, with picture sleeves commanding premiums.

Curtis Mayfield's Superfly remains one of the most iconic soundtracks in American music history. The 1972 Curtom first pressing captures the album as it was meant to be heard, pressed on the label Mayfield built, in the format that dominated the era. For collectors and listeners alike, it's an essential record.

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