Isaac Hayes
'Hot Buttered Soul'
Expanded edition
Universal/Concord Records
UK Release date: 6th July 2009

It's 40 years since the original release of the now classic album 'Hot Buttered Soul' Isaac Hayes' second album in 1969 after serving as a major songwriter and producer of some of soul music's classics songs especially those for Sam & Dave whom he co-wrote/produced with the MG's legendary guitarist Steve Cropper. Hayes had been a major force in this field but his work was behind the scenes and by 1968 his decision to break out as a recording artist in his own right would eventually lead him into superstar status as a singer and also as a composer of soundtracks which we eventually be tagged as blaxploitation. His first LP outing in 1968 entitled 'Presenting Isaac Hayes' didn't sell well and it wasn't until the follow up a year later with the issue of the original 'Hot Buttered Soul' would music fans and journalists sit up and take notice.

Whilst only containing four songs (relatively unknown for an artist at that time) the songs in question were strewn out to become almost 15 minutes in length complimented with the excellent brass and string section of label mates the Bar-Kays and The Movement,making the songs essential listening.  It's no secret that Isaac didn't posses the most soulful of voices compared with other soul music giants but there was something very special indeed at his ability to turn these long workouts into a masterpiece evidenced by the wonderful arrangements on Burt Bacharach's classic 'Walk On By' which had previously proved so successful for diva Dionne Warwick five years earlier. The track takes a two minute plus intro of rock guitar, electronic funky organ and funky wah wah guitar, before Hayes settles into a lazy rendition of this great song. I have to say that this song would never sound the same without the wonderful orchestration and backing.

'Walk On By' was issued here in the UK on the yellow Stax label backed with the edited version of the other mammoth cover version on this CD of Jim Webb's 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix' a song that had been a hit record for country singer Glen Campbell, and perhaps a unusual choice to turn into an 18 minute song, but after the rap intro (which would become an integral part of his albums thereafter) the song settles into a semi sung/rap rendition and again the orchestration takes equal centre stage especially when you listen on good quality headphones it easy to see where the inspiration came for his next LP the million selling movie soundtrack 'Shaft'

This 40th anniversary expanded edition includes two bonus tracks which are simply edited down versions of the two aforementioned songs, but the other two songs are of equal stature and you'll just love 'One Woman' which brings out a more consistent and definitive vocal delivery from Hayes which would become more evident in his future albums for Stax. The songs conjure up a very emotive feeling when you listen to them in a dedicated environment, so don't try and appreciate then as background music.

Hayes became Stax records' biggest selling artist of the 1970's and his appearance as the main artist at the Wattstax music festival is an absolute 'must see' if you get the chance to pick up the DVD. He also recorded numerous other great titles for the label, before leaving Stax and recording further albums/singles for the ABC and Polydor record labels. Sadly, Isaac Hayes passed away a couple of years ago and the music industry lost one of its great ambassadors.

An absolute gem.

Rating 10/10