by Tim Gordon
Some artists don’t just make music; they build legacies that echo through generations. Curtis Mayfield was one of those visionaries. In The Makings of Curtis Mayfield, Grammy and Academy Award winner H.E.R. steps behind the camera and into the story, delivering a soulful, deeply personal tribute to one of R&B’s most essential architects, a man whose sound still resonates in every groove of socially conscious music today.
H.E.R.’s approach is as intimate as it is celebratory. Part love letter, part musical odyssey, the film traces Mayfield’s journey from his roots in Chicago as a founding member of The Impressions to the heights of his groundbreaking solo career. She reminds us how Mayfield’s songwriting gave voice to a generation, with anthems like “Keep On Pushing” and “People Get Ready” that became soundtracks to the Civil Rights Movement, and soundtracks like Superfly, Claudine, and Sparkle that redefined what Black stories could sound like on screen.
But H.E.R. doesn’t stop at the hits. She digs deeper into Mayfield’s work as an entrepreneur, shining a light on his bold decision to found his label, Curtom Records, with Eddie Thomas. At a time when Black artists had little control over their masters or their money, Mayfield carved out a path of independence that inspired a generation to take ownership of their art. Through Curtom, he not only pushed his music forward but also nurtured other artists, including an early collaboration with the legendary Donny Hathaway. It’s one of many moments that show how Mayfield’s vision extended far beyond himself; he built platforms for others to shine.
The film’s greatest strength is how it threads Mayfield’s timeless music through the voices of artists he inspired. H.E.R. gathers an impressive circle of Ernie Isley, Nile Rodgers, Maxwell, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, Robert Glasper, John Legend, Jimmy Jam, and more, each reflecting on how his fearless lyrics, sweet falsetto, and inventive guitar work shaped their sound and opened doors that might have stayed closed. These aren’t empty celebrity cameos; they’re living testaments to the blueprint Mayfield laid down.
Much like the Luther documentary before it, The Makings of Curtis Mayfield is a warm, beautifully crafted expression of musical love, but it also feels fresh and alive. H.E.R. brings us inside the studio, into candid conversations, and back to the streets of Chicago where Mayfield’s vision first took root. She keeps the focus where it should be: on the songs, the struggle, and the enduring power of an artist who sang with his soul wide open.
If the film skimps on the more complicated corners of his life, that feels like a deliberate choice. This isn’t a tabloid biography, it’s a spiritual jam session, a musical conversation that spans decades and invites us to keep listening.
The Makings of Curtis Mayfield is more than a documentary; it’s a vital reminder that Curtis Mayfield didn’t just change music; he gave artists the courage to own it. With H.E.R. at the helm, this film hums like one of Mayfield’s sweetest grooves: soulful, righteous, and deeply, unapologetically Black.
Grade: A
