In honor of the 50th anniversary of his career, R&B legend Curtis Mayfield will be inducted posthumously into Hollywood’s RockWalk on May 20. Mayfield joins a circle of earlier honorees that includes Eric Clapton, Marvin Gaye, Elvis Presley and Bonnie Raitt. Nicknamed the “Gentle Genius,” Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down following a tragic accident in 1990 and died Dec. 26, 1999.

In further tribute to Mayfield’s legacy, a series of digitally enhanced reissues and video footage will be released this year. First up is the May 6 release of “Movin’ On Up: The Music of Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions.” The two-hour DVD from Reelin’ In The Years Productions documents Mayfield’s early career as a member of Chicago group the Impressions through his prolific turn as a solo artist (“Superfly”), soundtrack producer (“Sparkle”) and civil rights activist. Guests include Mayfield’s widow Altheida, Chuck D and Carlos Santana.

The documentary also includes 22 vintage television performances by the Impressions and a solo Mayfield filmed between 1965-1973.

-Singer Marvin Winans Jr. offers up inspirational R&B on his album debut, “Image of a Man.” Dropping this summer, the album also doubles as the inaugural release from Winans’ label M2Entertainment. The label is
distributed through Central South Distribution. Working with Winans on the production side were Warryn Campbell, Rodney Jerkins, Noel “Detail” Fisher and Joe “Flip” Wilson. On May 6, Winans will officially launch his new social networking site, thisismwj.com.