Curtis Mayfield (Curtis Lee Mayfield , Chicago, Illinois, June 3, 1942 - Roswell, Georgia, December 26, 1999) was an American
soul,
funk and
rhythm and blues,
singer-songwriter and guitarist. Mayfield is probably best known for his anthemic music with
The Impressions and for the soundtrack to the
blaxploitation film Superfly. Perhaps because he didn't cross over to the pop audience as heavily as Motown's stars, it may be that the scope of Curtis Mayfield's talents and contributions have yet to be fully recognized.