The Impressions came together as a union between Sam Gooden, and brothers Richard and Arthur Brooks and songwriter/producers Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield. Their debut single, “For Your Precious Love,” sold 900,000 copies and rose to Number 11 on the Top 40. Released in 1958, it was credited to “Jerry Butler and The Impressions,” and the spotlighting of the song’s lead vocalist resulted in jealousies leading to Butler’s departure that same year. For a few years thereafter the Impressions floundered, but they regained their footing and discovered their signature sound in the early Sixties with Mayfield in command. First, Mayfield co-wrote and performed on “He Will Break Your Heart,” a stately soul gem that became Jerry Butler’s first solo hit. In 1961, a re-formed Impressions, which found Butler replaced by Fred Cash, released “Gypsy Woman,” a marriage of Brazilian rhythms and sensuous soul distinguished by Mayfield’s sweet, supple falsetto.
Having been reduced to a trio by the departure of the Brooks brothers, the Impressions soared through the Sixties with a string of chart successes that established the group as the social conscience of soul music. Their biggest hit was “It’s All Right” (Number One R&B, Number Four Pop), a casual, easygoing soul shuffle that provided much-needed comfort and solace to a nation reeling from the recent assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The Impressions songs that have had the greatest staying power are those, like “People Get Ready” and “Amen,” that provided inspiration to those caught up in the social struggles of the Sixties. All the while, Mayfield’s work outside the group as a songwriter and producer yielded a bumper crop of Chicago-soul hits for such artists as Major Lance ("The Monkey Time,” “Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um") and Gene Chandler ("Just Be True,” “Nothing Can Stop Me"). Mayfield left the Impressions in 1970.
“Come To My Party” was produced by Carl Davis and featured songs custom written by the top talent available in Chicago at the time. Until just before arriving at Chi Sound the group had been a quartet with Cash, Gooden, Torian and Nate Evans but they were back to a trio without Evans at these first sessions. Nate Evans was back in the fold for 1981’s “Fan the Fire” and his tenor brought a harder present day edge to the group’s sound whilst Reggie’s falsetto took a back seat for most of the proceedings. The album appeared swiftly after their return to the singles chart with “For Your Precious Love”
These two albums, the last they made for a major American label, can simply be seen as hugely enjoyable recordings that brought the group right up to date to the then current tastes.
|
