Isaac Hayes
'Black Moses'
Stax/Concord Music
UK release date: 30th March 2009

Less than twelve months after Hayes' untimely death in 2008 do we find this wonderfully glorious expanded 2 CD set from one of his finest moments from the early seventies in 'Black Moses'. Originally issued in 1971 on the Stax label this was the follow up the million selling 'Shaft' soundtrack which had captivated audiences around the world with a stunning blaxploitation soundtrack and a hit single of the same name of the title track, including its memorable flip side 'Cafe Regio's'. Hayes was finally onto a winner with his new found stardom having originally set out as a songwriter for Stax Records teaming up with fellow artist David Porter and MG's guitarist the now legendary Steve Cropper where between them all wrote and produced some of most memorable hits released on Stax and Atlantic Records most notably 'Soul Man' for Sam & Dave, plus numerous other hits for the duo all containing the songwriting credits of Hayes and company.

However in 1969 things changed for Hayes as he moved into being a solo artist in his own right and the rest as they say is history. With the aforementioned Shaft soundtrack and his excellent Hot Buttered Soul project behind him it was time for his latest offering and 'Black Moses' was the end result, and the new expanded deluxe edition hits the UK shops on the 30th March 2009 amongst great excitement from the Stax faithful. Hayes had developed a long drawn out instrumental style build up to many of his album tracks and his backing group The Movement delivered a perfect combination of string laden melodies over a gospel flavoured organ pieces and neat guitar work before Hayes' well known vocal style hits the speakers.

CD1 opens with a cracking rendition of the popular song 'Never Can Say Goodbye' a song that had already been recorded by the Jackson 5 on Motown and was to become a major hit for disco diva Gloria Gaynor a few years later but Isaac drops the tempo down to his own style and gives a vocal delivery that Barry White would have been proud of. The song generated specialist black radio plays back in the day and it eventually found its way onto a 45 with some degree of success. Its when you move onto track two a cover of the Carpenters song (They Long To Be) Close To You does the real magic appear out of the woodwork in this nine workout with some stunning instrumental work and orchestration before Hayes' take on this perfect of pop songs making this easily the most commercially appealing track on this disc and a must for lovers of late night soul.

Black Moses pays tribute to some well known artists with cover versions of their songs such as Toussaint McCall's 'Nothing Takes The Place Of You' a semi gospel ballad with a haunting feel to it and so reminiscent of the work produced by Stax label mate Luther Ingram. Indeed Ingram's own song 'Help Me Love' gets the Hayes touch on disc two. Listening to 'Part Time Love' you could easily think this was out of the Wattstax movie and has some very nifty wah wah guitar work worthy of mention. I absolutely loved 'A Brand New Me' a song thats seen so much life out of Philly via Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler, another mid tempo affair that really keeps the spirit of Philly alive and if you compare this version with them you'll see what I mean.

Disc two dives in where disc one left off opening with 'Never Give You Up' a song that Lynn Collins recorded via James Brown's organisation a couple of years later. Next up is my other favourite cut from this set in the lovely 'Need To Belong To Someone' opening with a glorious piece of slush orchestration before settling down to a sexy soulful groove originally penned by the late Curtis Mayfield. Other standout songs worthy of mention include Kris Kristofferson's 'For The Good Times' and the Burt Bacharach/Hal David composition 'I'll Never Fall In Love Again' a pop smash also for Bobby Gentry.

An album that needs bringing back into the public domain not just because of Hayes' death but as testament to how soul music should be made and sung. They don't make soul like this anymore.

Rating 10/10

Isaac Hayes
Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak)
Concord/Stax Records
UK Release date: 30th March 2009

The second album by Hayes to get issued is 'Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak) featuring a full album of songs written entirely by Ike after his departure from Stax. The 1970's were changing and by the time this LP appeared on the scene the disco scene was well and truly under way and not one for being outdone he decided to record an album with some of the tracks aimed at the dance floor - trouble was the end result (whilst a reasonable effort), tended to be on the specialist funk side of things and got lost in the mountain of commercial releases at that time. Thankfully, looking back at the other songs on this set Hayes decided to include some songs that were reminiscent of his previous work at Soulsville and it is those songs that make up the backbone of the album. The title track takes too long to get going and then is nothing short of a long drawn out disjointed affair. Its when you check out his 'Let's Don't Ever Blow Our Thing' do we get back to the bedroom classics as he returns to a sultry semi rap delivery of a lovers delight.

More of the same stuff as you reach 'Lady Of The Night' with some hints of his Shaft work as he questions his lady's intentions. I've always found the title of this album to be somewhat misleading as I had originally thought it was aimed at the dance floor, how wrong and it contains some fine soulful songs such as the mid tempo 'The Storm Is Over' a song I've heard on black radio numerous times over the years. 'Music To Make Love By' is admittedly a dance floor groove best described as jazz funk without a commercial topping hence the reason its easily forgettable. Without question the hottest track on this set belongs to 'Thank You Love' a tantalizingly uptempo groove that kept me replaying the chorus line which is just wonderful. Not the best dance track, but a mixture of both.

For many Hayes' best work remains with the ballads/rap's but here he demonstrates just what a genius he was at both songwriting/arranging and performing and his music will live on forever either via his work for Sam & Dave, blaxpliotation soundtracks or as an artist in his own right. One thing is for certain the more you play this disc, the more certain tracks grow on you. Well worthy of an addition to any serious soul collection.

Rating 7/10