IMPRESSIONS

Formed in Chicago in 1957 and originally known as the Roosters, this group comprised Jerry Butler (b. 8 December 1939, Sunflower, Mississippi, USA), Curtis Mayfield (b. 3 June 1942, Chicago, Illinois, USA, d. 26 December 1999), Sam Gooden (b. 2 September 1939, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA), and brothers Richard Brooks and Arthur Brooks (both born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA). Mayfield and Butler first met in the choir of the Traveling Soul Spiritualists Church, from where they formed the Modern Jubilaires and Northern Jubilee Singers. The two teenagers then drifted apart, and while Mayfield was involved in another group, the Alphatones, Butler joined Gooden and the Brooks brothers in the Roosters. Mayfield was subsequently installed as their guitarist. Dubbed the Impressions by their manager, the group's first single for Abner/Falcon, “For Your Precious Love”, was a gorgeous ballad and a substantial hit, reaching number 11 in the US pop chart in June 1958. The label credit, which read “Jerry Butler And The Impressions”, caused internal friction and the two sides split after one more release, “Come Back My Love”. While Butler's solo career gradually prospered, that of his erstwhile colleagues floundered. He and Mayfield were later reconciled on Butler's 1960 single “He Will Break Your Heart”, the success of which (and of other Mayfield-penned songs) rekindled the Impressions” career.

Signed to ABC-Paramount in 1961, they had a US number 20 hit with the haunting "Gypsy Woman". Subsequent releases were less well received until “It's All Right”(1963) soared to number 1 in the R&B chart and to number 4 in the pop chart. The group was now a trio of Mayfield, Gooden and Fred Cash, and their rhythmic harmonies were set against Johnny Pate's stylish arrangements. Magnificent Top 20 singles ? including “I'm So Proud”, “Keep On Pushing”,“You Must Believe Me” (all 1964) and “People Get Ready” (1965) ? showed how Mayfield was growing as an incisive composer, creating lyrical songs that were alternately poignant and dynamic. During this period the Impressions had what was to be their last US pop Top 10 hit, “Amen”, which was featured in the Sidney Poitier movie Lilies Of The Field. Mayfield then set up two short-lived record companies, Windy C in 1966, and Mayfield in 1967. However, it was the singer's third venture, Curtom Records, that proved most durable. In the meantime, the Impressions had emerged from a period when Motown Records had provided their prime influence. “You've Been Cheatin'” (1965) and “You Always Hurt Me” (1967), however good in themselves, lacked the subtlety of their predecessors, but represented a transition in Mayfield's musical perceptions. Statements that had previously been implicit were granted a much more open forum. “This Is My Country” (1968), “Mighty Mighty Spade And Whitey” (1969) and “Check Out Your Mind” (1970) were tougher, politically based performances, while his final album with the group, the quintessential Young Mods" Forgotten Story, set the framework for his solo work.

Mayfield's replacement, Leroy Hutson, left in 1973. Reggie Torian and Ralph Johnson were subsequently added, and the new line-up topped the R&B chart in 1974 with “Finally Got Myself Together (I'm A Changed Man)”. “First Impressions” (1975) became their only UK hit, but the following year Johnson left. Although Mayfield, Butler, Cash and Gooden have, on occasions, re-formed, the latter pair have also kept active their version of the Impressions. Following his tragic accident in 1990, which left him as a quadriplegic, Mayfield continued to record until his death in 1999. The first four albums by the Impressions represent the very best of sweet soul music; uplifting without saccharine.

Discography: The Impressions (ABC-Paramount 1963)****, The Never Ending Impressions (ABC-Paramount 1964)****, Keep On Pushing (ABC-Paramount 1964)****, People Get Ready (ABC-Paramount 1965)****, One By One (ABC-Paramount 1965)**, Ridin' High (ABC-Paramount 1966)****, The Fabulous Impressions (ABC 1967)***, We're A Winner (ABC 1968)**, This Is My Country (Curtom 1968)****, The Young Mods' Forgotten Story (Curtom 1969)****, Check Out Your Mind (Curtom 1970)**, Times Have Changed (Curtom 1972)**, Preacher Man (Curtom 1973)**, Three The Hard Way film soundtrack (1974)**, Finally Got Myself Together (Curtom 1974)**, First Impressions (Curtom 1975)***, Loving Power (Curtom 1976)**, Come To My Party (1979)**, Fan The Fire (20th Century 1981)**.

Compilations: The Impressions Greatest Hits (ABC-Paramount 1965)****, The Best Of The Impressions (ABC 1968)****, 16 Greatest Hits (ABC 1971)****, Curtis Mayfield/His Early Years With The Impressions (ABC 1973)***, with Butler and Mayfield solo tracks The Vintage Years - The Impressions Featuring Jerry Butler And Curtis Mayfield (Sire 1977)***, Your Precious Love (Topline 1981)****, The Definitive Impressions (Kent 1989)****, The Impressions Greatest Hits (MCA 1989)****, as Curtis Mayfield And The Impressions The Anthology 1961 - 1977 (1992)****, All The Best (Pickwick 1994)****, The Very Best Of (Rhino 1997)***, Check Out The Impressions: A Collection 1968-81 (Music Club 1998)****, ABC Rarities (Ace 1999)***.