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Sales didn't reflect it, but this is probably Curtis Mayfield's best production, and Lance's best album: every track is a winner. "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um," "Hey Little Girl," and "The Monkey Time" were major busters for Major Lance; all had a mock cha-cha beat. And the unheralded tracks are just as good: Lance's "Gypsy Woman" is as haunting as the Impressions' original; "Think Nothing About It" is endearing and marvelously simplistic, one of Mayfield's best compositions (Gene Chandler recorded it later). If Okeh had released "That's What Mama Say" as a single, it would have done some damage (both the Impressions and Walter Jackson recorded the tender mama-done-told-me song, and although Jackson's version scored an R&B hit, it lacks the bite of Lance's version). "You'll Want Me Back" is serene and beautiful; it was also done by the Impressions, but Lance's rendition stirs the pot. Lance had a more dynamic voice than Mayfield, his childhood friend -- it was heavier and had more teeth than Mayfield's light tenor -- yet Mayfield had more all-around skills and became far more successful. The Impressions sing background on most of the tracks, and you can hear the rainbowing of voices with Lance's cutting through and dominating like a dictator. Take "Little Young Lover," a good song by the Impressions, but a candidate for hitsville when Lance does it. He does an excellent job on "It's All Right," "I'm the One Who Loves You," and "Gotta Right to Cry"; the latter sounds like a group recording with Lance leading, and the Impressions -- Mayfield (first tenor), Fred Cash (baritone), and Sam Gooden (tenor) -- trying to win a harmony contest. One listen to this LP, and you'll be a Major Lance (and Curtis Mayfield) fan for life. ~ Andrew Hamilton
