Isaac Hayes had a long career as a soul
songwriter and session musician prior to the launch of his own solo career in
the early Seventies. Hayes was born in Covington ,
Tennessee
Hayes began his professional career as part
of the Stax Records songwriting team of David Porter and Isaac Hayes that
produced soul hits for Stax Records’ legendary roster of singers. The songs
that Hayes and Porter produced for Stax include, “B-A-B-Y” by Carla Thomas,
“I've Got to Love Somebody’s Baby” by Johnnie Taylor, and “Hold On! I'm Coming!”
“You Got Me Hummin’,” “Soul Man,” and “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” by
Sam and Dave.
Hayes recorded his first solo album,
“Presenting Isaac Hayes,” in 1967. The album contained pleasant soul numbers,
but it was a tame effort compared to what was to come. When Atlantic Records
bought out the Stax Records catalogue in 1968, Hayes was under pressure to
write and record new material to replace what had been lost. He hurled himself
into the task and while producing material for other artists, he also came up with
the material for his brilliant sophomore album, “Hot Buttered Soul,” one of the
greatest soul albums ever recorded.
The album contained four superb tracks-all
of which clocked in at least five minutes. Covers of Burt Bacharach’s “Walk on
By” and Jimmy Webb’s “By the Time I get to Phoenix
Hayes recorded two more fine albums in
1970, “The Isaac Hayes Movement” and “…To Be Continued.” Hayes’ excellent
soundtrack for the film, “Shaft,” would appear in 1971 with the title track
becoming a hit. Another quality Hayes album, “Black Moses,” would be released
in 1971, featuring lush string accompaniments to soulful songs such as a cover
of another Bacharach song, “Close to You,” and a cover of Curtis Mayfield’s
“Man’s Temptation.”
Hayes would continue to record throughout
the Seventies and sporadically in the Eighties with lesser results. Hayes died
in 2008 having achieved the status of a master among soul music figures.
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