Name: Shaft
Brand: Isaac Hayes

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

SX2021

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2007-07-24

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

029667082112

Total Cap

Black LP

Artist

Isaac Hayes

Genre GB

Funk / Soul

Label GB

Stax

Isaac Hayes was an influential American artist, known for his talents as a singer, keyboardist, producer, songwriter, and actor. Born on August 20, 1942 in Covington, Tennessee, he played a significant role in shaping the "Memphis sound" during the 1960s and 1970s while signed to the Stax record label. He achieved great success as a solo artist with the soundtrack to the movie Shaft in 1971. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Hayes also gained recognition as the voice of Chef on the animated TV series South Park from 1997 to 2006. Isaac Hayes left behind a lasting legacy and was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Throughout his career, Isaac Hayes showcased his diverse talents as a musician and songwriter/producer. Collaborating with David Porter at Stax records allowed him to make significant contributions to the music industry during this time period.
In addition to his musical achievements, Isaac Hayes also made waves in Hollywood as an actor. His portrayal of Chef on South Park endeared him to audiences worldwide and solidified his status as a multi-talented entertainer.

Stax Records, originally known as Satellite, is a legendary music label that was founded in 1959 by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton. The name Stax was derived from the first two letters of their last names. Known for its association with Southern soul music, Stax Records became home to numerous talented artists who achieved great success during the 1960s and beyond. Some of these iconic artists include Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Booker T & The MG's, Mable John, Sam & Dave, Johnnie Taylor, Albert King, Bar-Kays, and Otis Redding.

Following the tragic death of Otis Redding in 1967, Stax Records entered a new era with hitmakers like Isaac Hayes, Staples Singers, Soul Children, The Emotions,
Rance Allen Group,
Shirley Brown,
Luther Ingram,
and The Dramatics. In 1968,
Paramount Pictures Corporation acquired the company but later sold it back to Jim Stewart and Al Bell in 1970. Despite facing financial troubles and eventually going bankrupt in 1975,
Fantasy Inc.
acquired the masters and assets of Stax at an auction in June 1977.

In 2008,
Concord Music Group revived Stax as an active label with new artist signings such as Jill Scott,
Leela James,
Angie Stone,
and Nikka Costa.
Today,

Stax continues to be a respected label

One of the many wonderful Blaxploitation soundtracks to emerge during the early '70s, Shaft certainly deserves mention as not only one of the most lasting but also one of the most successful. Isaac Hayes was undoubtedly one of the era's most accomplished soul artists with "The Theme From Shaft", Hayes delivered an anthem just as ambitious and revered as the film itself, a song that has only grown more treasured over the years, after having been an enormously popular hit at the time of its release.

"Soulsville" operates effectively as the sort of down-tempo ballad Hayes was most known for, just as the almost 20-minute "Do Your Thing" showcased just how impressive the Bar-Kays had become, stretching the song to unseen limits with their inventive, funky jamming. This album features cinematic moments of instrumentation, composed and produced by Hayes while being performed by the Bar-Kays - some down-tempo, others quite jazzy.

Shaft

Music GB

Buy Isaac Hayes - Shaft. (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.