Nashville Label Releases Curtis Mayfield Tribute

Songwriter/producer/publisher Jerry Michael will celebrate the launch of his new Nashville record label, Cool Pepper Disc, by releasing a new CD in late September honoring the late R&B/soul recording artist/songwriter Curtis Mayfield.

The label’s debut project, The Impressions’ 50th Anniversary Salute to Curtis Mayfield, will feature 17 Mayfield-penned hits, including “Keep on Pushin'”, “Amen”, “People Get Ready”, “It’s All Right”, “Woman’s Got Soul”, and “Talking About My Baby.” An unreleased, never-before-heard version of the 1960s smash “Gypsy Woman” will soon be available for digital download at www.jmichaelent.com.

“I worked with The Impressions as an artist and producer in the 1980s,” said Michael, who garnered success as a songwriter and publisher with the hit “Play the Game Tonight” (Kansas) and other cuts by acts such as Pure Prairie League, Aretha Franklin, The Oak Ridge Boys and Shirley Caesar. “These legends of soul were the first group to bring inspirational messages into the pop market. All of their hits were written by Mayfield.

Michael produced and recorded all of the selections on the Mayfield tribute CD. The recordings have been digitally re-mastered and are only available through Cool Pepper Disc. The unreleased version of “Gypsy Woman,” which has sat in a music vault since 1961, features an extended performance by The Impressions. It is available by digital download only.

“When ‘Gypsy Woman’ was originally recorded, it was too long for radio, so they cut the last verse for airplay,” Michael added. “The rest is history. It was a huge hit. Now fans will be able to hear the unreleased version for the very first time.”

For more information visit www.jmichaelent.com, send an e-mail message to michael.ent@comcast.net, or call (615) 366-9929.