Psy-Fi

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
This sounds like a soul/funk masterpiece.

2. What did you think of the opening track?
Same as above answer.

3. What did you think of the next track?
Same as above answer.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?
The vocals worked beautifully within the songs.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?
See answer to number 1. There's so much going on musically, the arrangements are superb, nothing sounds excessive, out of place, or wasted for even a second.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it?
Neither. It started out strong and never let up.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
Superb. Curtis was a fantastic lyricist and this album tells a complex story of money, greed, sex, love, drugs, strength, weakness, fate. All the ingredients for a great album, novel or film in the right hands.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?
Absolutely!

9. What did you think of the production?
Top-notch all the way through.

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
Yes, I knew of him before I heard this album, so I figured it would be good but I had no idea it would be this damn good!

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Yes. Soul & funk are played regularly on my hard drive, CD player, and turntable.

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
I've lost count of how many times I've listened to this album over many years since I first heard it. It never gets old or stale to my ears.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
They're all great.

14. And the one you liked least?
N/A.

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?
N/A

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
I've probably already heard everything he released.

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
I thought it would be good, based on my previous listens to various songs by Curtis Mayfield, but I had no idea it would turn out to be such a stellar album.

18. Did the album end well?
Curtis saved the title track for last (instead of opening the album with it) and it works beautifully as the final track.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Are you kidding? This is as good as it gets for any soul, funk, or soundtrack album.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
It hung together extremely well. As well as an album ever can.

10/10

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She's a Brick House