Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes was an influential American singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and composer known for pioneering soul music and winning an Academy Award. Born on August 20, 1942, in Covington, Tennessee, he rose from humble beginnings to become a cultural icon before his death on August 10, 2008.
Hayes grew up on a sharecropper's farm, orphaned young and raised by his grandparents. He dropped out of high school but earned his diploma at age 21, turning down college scholarships to support his family through jobs like meatpacking and nightclub performances.
Joining Stax Records in 1964 as a session musician, Hayes co-wrote hits like "Soul Man" with David Porter. His 1969 album Hot Buttered Soul revolutionized soul with long tracks, spoken word, and orchestral arrangements, selling over a million copies.
Hayes composed the Shaft soundtrack in 1971, topping charts and earning him Oscars for Best Original Song and Score—the first for an African American composer—plus Grammy Awards. Albums like Black Moses (1971) followed, and he entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
He starred in films like Truck Turner (1974) and voiced Chef on South Park from 1997. Hayes also scored TV themes and appeared in movies such as Escape from New York.
Hayes founded the Isaac Hayes Foundation for literacy and education, was crowned king in Ghana's Ada District in 1992, and advocated for Scientology causes. He died at 65 from stroke-related causes in Memphis.
Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak)
A2 Let's Don't Ever Blow Our Thing 6:04
A3 The Storm Is Over 4:41
B1 Music To Make Love By 6:23
B2 Thank You Love 4:45
B3 Lady Of The Night 4:04
B4 Love Me Or Lose Me 5:31
Written by Isaac Hayes
Label: HBS – ABCD-953
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak) is the tenth studio album by Isaac Hayes, released in 1976, which sees the soul pioneer incorporating the then-trendy disco elements into his signature sound. The album blends upbeat funk and disco tracks with his characteristic soulful, cinematic ballads.
The album is a blend of dance-oriented funk/soul and classic Isaac Hayes ballads, showcasing his ability to adapt to contemporary music trends while maintaining his unique style.
It's primarily a funk and soul album with a strong disco sensibility, featuring hook-filled, sophisticated dance grooves and lush string arrangements.
Hayes produced and wrote the entire album himself, which was recorded at his Hot Buttered Soul Recording Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.
While some reviewers considered it less essential than earlier masterpieces like Hot Buttered Soul or Black Moses, many found it a worthwhile and enjoyable album, praising strong tracks and depth.
The album contains several standout songs, including the funky title track which features an extended "night club conversation" intro, the jubilant "The Storm Is Over", the sensual "Music to Make Love By", and the lyrically deep ballad "Lady of the Night".
While not considered his deepest or most profound work compared to classics like Black Moses or Shaft, Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak) is an "underrated gem" that offers a solid collection of soulful, funky, and danceable tracks. It is particularly recommended for Isaac Hayes fans and those who enjoy 1970s soul and funk with a strong disco influence.
Shaft Soundtrack
A2 Bumpy's Lament 1:49
A3 Walk From Regio's 2:22
A4 Ellie's Love Theme 3:16
A5 Shaft's Cab Ride 1:07
B1 Cafe Regio's 6:09
B2 Early Sunday Morning 3:47
B3 Be Yourself 4:27
B4 A Friend's Place 3:21
C1 Soulsville (Vocal) 3:47
C2 No Name Bar 6:09
C3 Bumpy's Blues 4:01
C4 Shaft Strikes Again 3:04
D1 Do Your Thing (Vocal) 19:38
D2 The End Theme 1:56
Label: Enterprise – ENS-2-5002
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: R&B Soul, Jazz, Funk
Style: Soul-Jazz, Soundtrack
The Shaft soundtrack by Isaac Hayes is a landmark double album that redefined film music with its pioneering blend of funk, soul, and lush orchestration. It is Hayes' best-known work and the best-selling LP in the history of Stax Records.
The album is a foundational work of blaxploitation cinema scores, known for its distinctive "wah-wah" rhythm guitar, prominent hi-hat cymbals, and a mix of deep grooves and sophisticated, cinematic soul.
The iconic title track was a massive commercial success, hitting number one on the Billboard pop chart. Hayes became the first African-American to win an Academy Award in a non-acting category when the song won Best Original Song in 1972.
While the title track and two other songs ("Soulsville" and "Do Your Thing") feature vocals, the majority of the album consists of instrumental score pieces that provide atmospheric and narrative texture for the film. These tracks showcase Hayes' versatility, incorporating elements of jazz, blues, and orchestral pop.
The soundtrack had a significant impact on music history, influencing the development of disco and becoming a rich source of samples for hip-hop artists. In 2014, the album was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
It was a major critical success, winning multiple Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe. The album is praised for its production quality and for transporting listeners back to the cool, urban atmosphere of the 1970s, making it a timeless classic.
To Be Continued
Truck Turner (Original Soundtrack)
2:43
A2 House Of Beauty
3:05
A3 Blue's Crib
5:15
A4 Driving In The Sun
6:07
B1 Breakthrough
3:07
B2 Now We're One
2:25
B3 The Duke
2:34
B4 Dorinda's Party
4:37
C1 Pursuit Of The Pimpmobile
9:05
C2 We Need Each Other, Girl
3:21
C3 A House Full Of Girls
3:56
C4 Hospital Shootout
2:54
D1 You're In My Arms Again
4:50
D2 Give It To Me
4:36
D3 Drinking
3:34
D4 The Insurance Company
7:00
D5 End Theme 1:59
Label: Enterprise – ENS-2-7507
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Soul-Jazz, Funk, Soundtrack
Released in 1974, Isaac Hayes' Truck Turner (Original Soundtrack) is a critically lauded masterpiece of Blaxploitation funk, often considered superior to his Shaft score. It features a potent blend of wah-wah guitar, rich orchestral strings, and deep soul, offering an expansive 72-minute listening experience that functions perfectly as a standalone album.
The album is defined by its, gritty, funk-laden atmosphere, featuring driving, rhythmic compositions suitable for chase scenes alongside romantic, slow-burn soul ballads.
Key highlights include the intense "Main Title," the suspenseful "Pursuit of the Pimpmobile," the laid-back "Blues Crib," and the soulful "You're in My Arms Again".
he production showcases complex, skillful arrangements, with heavy, rhythmic basslines and sophisticated horn sections that define the 1970s Stax sound.
While sometimes described as a "period piece," the album is highly regarded for its high-quality production, with some critics ranking it as the peak of Hayes’ career.
Many reviewers claim it "beats Shaft at its own game" in terms of pure instrumental intensity and rhythm, even if the title track doesn't quite reach the cultural heights of the "Theme from Shaft."
Truck Turner remains a highly sought-after, essential recording for fans of 1970s soul-jazz and funk, often re-released as a premium vinyl set.