''A Piece of the Action'' is a soundtrack album by American rhythm and blues and gospel singer

Mavis Staples Mavis Staples (born July 10, 1939) is an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer, actress, and civil rights activist. She rose to fame as a member of her family's band The Staple Singers (she is the last surviving member of that band). Durin ...

, from the 1977 film of the same name. It was released on October 10, 1977, by

Curtom Records Curtom Records was a record label started in 1968 by Curtis Mayfield and Impressions manager Eddie Thomas. The label's name was a combination of Mayfield's first name and Thomas' last name. Mayfield had previously made attempts at a record lab ...

Critical reception

In the October 22, 1977 issue, ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' reviewed the album: "Staples soulfully interprets the musical score, written and produced by Curtis Mayfield, of the flick starring

Sidney Poitier Sidney Poitier ( ; February 20, 1927 – January 6, 2022) was an American actor, film director, and diplomat. In 1964, he was the first black actor and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. He received two competitive ...

, Bill Cosby and James Earl Jones. Staples and Mayfield collaborated previously on "Let's Do It Again", although then supported by her singing sisters. Mayfield's funky rhythms and evocative lyrics are among the composer's better recent efforts. While Staples' throaty vocals remain passionate, Mayfield's backup session men supply the funk. Best cuts: "Chocolate City", "A Piece of the Action", "'Til Blossoms Bloom" and "Koochie, Koochie, Koochie".

Track listing

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes. * Roger Anfinsen - engineer *

Gil Askey Gilbert Askey (March 9, 1925 – April 9, 2014) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, producer and musical director who was born in Austin, Texas, and emigrated to Australia in 1988. Personal life Askey was born in Austin, Texas, on March 9 ...

- strings and horn arrangements * Fred Breitberg - engineer * Sol Bobrov - string and horn contractor * Mattie Butler - background vocals * Tony D'Orio - cover portrait * Marc Hauser - cover portrait * Denese Heard - background vocals * Henry Hicks Jr. - background vocals * Ricki Linton - background vocals * Curtis Mayfield - producer, rhythm arrangements * Rich Tufo - keyboards, strings and horn arrangements * Jim Schubert - art direction and design * Alfonso Surrett - background vocals * Keni Burke - bass * Joseph "Lucky" Scott - bass * Donelle Hagan - drums * Quinton Joseph - drums * Henry Gibson - congas, percussion * Floyd Morris - keyboards, synthesizers * Curtis Mayfield, Gary Thompson - guitars

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Piece of the Action Mavis Staples albums Curtis Mayfield soundtracks 1977 collaborative albums 1977 soundtrack albums Albums produced by Curtis Mayfield Curtom Records albums Crime film soundtracks Comedy film soundtracks