A Piece Of The Action

One of the last great 1970s soundtracks on Curtom Records, this smoking little set pairs the music of Curtis Mayfield with the vocals of Mavis Staples! Curtis takes full control of the record from the outset, delivering a hard-stepping and righteous mode reminiscent of his earlier work on the Staples’ soundtrack for Let’s Do It Again. It’s no surprise, given that Piece Of The Action was the next instalment in the successful series of films starring Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier! The sound here is rich and full, capturing that distinctive mid-1970s Curtom vibe that Leroy Hutson and Natural Four albums of the time embodied – a slightly more sophisticated approach blending strings with the heavy funk foundation. Titles include “Chocolate City,” written by Curtis with Keni Burke and Henry Gibson, along with “Getting Deeper,” “A Piece Of The Action,” “Orientation,” and “Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid.”

Mavis Staples is a soul and gospel music icon known for her powerful vocals and social activism, notably showcased in her collaboration with Curtis Mayfield on the “Piece Of The Action” soundtrack. As a member of The Staple Singers, she helped shape American music with messages of hope and empowerment, while also advocating for civil rights and social justice.