7 Curtis Mayfield Curtis/Live! CURTOM 1971 £5, VINYL £11

You Say: “Proof he was as good on-stage as in a studio.” D White, via e-mail

Not a demonstrative or dancin’ live performer, Mayfield’s attractive melodies, powerful messages, deep sincerity and tight band nonetheless connected on-stage. This double is the best of several live sets. Taped at New York’s Bitter End, his comments and asides draw whoops of approbation on the likes of I Plan To Stay A Believer and We’re A Winner. On a good balance between older Imps material (Gypsy Woman too fast for my taste) and his then-new writing, he even hints at an unexpected social profundity in The Carpenters’ We’ve Only Just Begun. Ends with long jams on (Don’t Worry) If There’s Hell Below… and Stone Junkie. Other live sets include Curtis In Chicago (1973), At Ronnie Scott’s (1988), Radio 1 Live In Concert (1990), but start here.