Curtis Mayfield – There's No Place Like America Today

Wonderful album - the songwriting is right up there with the "Curtis"/"Roots"/"Superfly" trio of LPs, and the engineering is better here than on any of his other releases. It almost sounds like a better-recorded version of some of Al Green's mid-70s work - bone dry, luscious horns and organs, buttery as all get out. A real demo disc. I think it's a bit overpriced online, but you can still find good deals on this one in real life - I was able to snag a minty promo at a record show for $20.00 just a couple of weeks ago. Highly highly recommended pickup if you come across it in your travels.

I’m not a Mayfield connoisseur but this sounds wonderful. One of his best and this pressing delivers; perhaps there may be something better but imo this sounds incredible.

Lets be honest, it doesnt sound "amazing". Hyperbole from some collectors, especially when well respected cutters are involved goes too far at times. KPG is a safe bet usually but not all his masterings improve matters. This one sounds merely good at best. If im being totally honest with myself, i have to admit that the 2015 Charly label issue sounds a smidge better still, but that release's problem is ruinous non fill which affected a whole third of the playthrough, even trying two copies. Amazingly though, GZ have got this bluey purple press very quiet throughout so whats on the disc can shine. Overall id prefer this decent, very acceptable mastering on quiet vinyl than maybe 5% better sound on crappy noisy vinyl hence why ive kept this one. I will also add the Charly version is FAR better packaged.... gatefold, heavier construction, poly lined inner instead of crappy paper only here and a resealable shrink perfect for archiving. If one can get a noise free Charly then it will be the better issue on all fronts but sadly i dont know if theres a defect free run out there.

Well, the sound isnt bland at all and its superbly well mastered. No issues there. The issues are.... non fills! A plethora of.it across half of side 2. On 2 copies. Lots of them on both sides. When it plays quiet its a great reissue but it plays with nosiy rips farrrrr too much. Seeing as its Optimal Media again, ive written to them directly to complain and plea with them to sort out the QC as i return endless Optimal pressings due to non fills now.

EDIT: I tried another copy and BOOM almost no noise throughout (some small patches of non fill that cant be heard this time except at the very fade of side 2. I dont care how much people worship at the altar of Kevin Gray.... this just plain sounds better than his remasteron the blue coloured vinyl. Bigger bass, more depth and crisp without sounding hot/distorted.

If you get a good one, i imagine you will be as delighted as ive ended up

Amazing sound, I had been looking for an OG for a long time, with no luck. VERY happy with this buy, especially when I didn't bother to look up reviews before hand. Amazon has it on there for $24

I’m not a KPG fanboy, some of his cuts are superb others take away from the music by sounding too modern. This cut however, is excellent -highly recommend.

This is by far the best reissue I ever heard. Hands down

This pressing sounds great!

I have a very high end, resolving system - I A/B’d this one with my OG.

I’m impressed with both. On the OG, I’ve wanted just a touch more bass, and this repress delivers BIG TIME.

However, the OG puts Curtis vocals a bit more in the forefront and is a bit more engaging overall - IMO.

The OG has a bit more magic dust over it. To me, it’s a great example of why you love vinyl.

If I didn’t have an og, I’d be more than happy with this pressing. Not to mention, a clean OG copy is 3x-4x the price.

In a perfect world, get both. This album is worthy of multiple copies. Side 1 alone is worth the price of admission.

Great pressing, would recommend. For the price, it’s hard to beat.

The music’s so good, you can’t not be satisfied

OMG......This album and reissue is amazing!!! The sound is exquisite and really clean. Crisp highs and punchy, deep lows. A real joy to listen to....in fact, I can't stop listening.

The sound is quite bland and uninspired, campared to the seventies issues.