ULTIMATE COLLECTION

The Impressions includes: Curtis Mayfield, Jerry Butler, Fred Cash, Sam Gooden, Reggie Torian, Ralph Johnson. Producers include: Roy Glover, Jr., Johnny Pate, Curtis Mayfield, Ed Townsend. Compilation producer: Andy McKaie. Recorded between 1958 and 1975. Includes liner notes by A. Scott Galloway. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Liner Note Author: A. Scott Galloway. Recording information: 1958-1975. Photographer: Ray Flerlage. Unknown Contributor Role: Dana Smart. Arrangers: Donny Hathaway; Rich Tufo; Roy Glover, Jr.; Johnny Pate. This is an Ultimate Collection for the Impressions, not Curtis Mayfield, which are two separate things, no matter how closely intertwined their histories are. This begins with "For Your Precious Love," when Jerry Butler was the lead singer, and ends with two tracks that he neither wrote nor sang, giving a good basic history of the band's career from 1958 to 1975. Not every great Impressions song is here, but nearly ever song here is great (the quality does dip a bit toward the end); this certainly delivers a good summary of -- and even introduction to -- the group, which was one of the greatest of its time, regardless of genre. That said, it won't give you everything you need -- but it certainly will get your love started. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine