Shaft - Composed and Performed by Isaac Hayes

July 2, 1971 - It was on this day in 1971 that the movie, "Shaft" was released. Fam, how can I put it to you? There has been no other movie soundtrack that has moved me like Isaac Hayes' "Shaft". This album moved my soul from the time I was a little 2-year-old boy listening to it growing on up those ages; 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 on up!

Check out Wikipedia's article on Shaft while you're here! wikiShaft

Also, you have to check out Isaac Hayes website! IsaacHayes

Check out Isaac Hayes here from WattStax 1973.



I used to go down in the basement when I was a boy, put this 33 LP on the record player, close my eyes and listen and dance to this album whether my parents knew it or not, but I know they knew I loved it. I would act it out to what it meant to me though I was too young to see the movie. I would dance in front of everybody at home when they put this on, in front of company, I didn't care! This was just my album! LOL. I had the poster, everything! I love this album so much, I feel like buying 10 of em right now as I write this.

My parents told me that at a wedding we went to back then, during the reception, someone went up to the DJ and told him to put the Theme From Shaft on. He did and I went to work! I remember that! I just remember all of a sudden hearing that bad azz theme start! LOL! You know, those high hats on the drum set? By the time I opened up my eyes a big circle of people were around me clapping and cheering me on. I kid you not, this album and The Theme From Shaft actually put me in a trance! I would go into my dance and wake up out of it at the end of it! LOL! One of the greatest soundtracks of all time!

To see a Blackman like that in a hero's role at that young age had a deep positive impact on me too. Yes, I know Shaft was considered one of the Blaxploitation Period movies but, so what? Richard Roundtree laid his thing DOWN! It still made me feel good as a young boy to see a Blackman in a hero's role like that. It gave us esteem, pride, hope and more.

One of the things I remember about this album aside from listening to it what must be over 1,000 times and counting to this day, are the titles of each song. Each title I would study and ponder and think to myself, why did Isaac Hayes title each one what he did. Back in the 70s, nothing beat those big album covers especially when you as a kid held one in your hands. You could read all the words, all the musicians, the liner notes, the thank you's, who played what. That had a big impact on me too about music overall. To read everyone's names involved on each album like that. Yeah, I know CD's have that info on em too but to read it on a 33 LP is a whole nother experience still to this day for me. Another thing was studying all the images when you opened the album cover up. Incredible.

To do a full review of this Isaac Hayes classic? Good God, Man! How can I even attempt to put this listening experience into words? That would be an honor amongst honors. I have actually never done that in written word on this album in all these years. I will attempt to do a review of this classic very soon. In the meantime, check the tracklist:

1. Theme From Shaft (Vocal)
2. Bumpy's Lament
3. Walk From Regio's
4. Ellie's Love Theme
5. Shaft's Cab Ride
6. Cafe Regio's
7. Early Sunday Morning
8. Be Yourself
9. A Friend's Place
10. Soulsville (Vocal)
11. No Name Bar
12. Bumpy's Blues
13. Shaft Strikes Again
14. Do Your Thing (Vocal)

"Shaft" won a 1971 Oscar for Best Song. "Shaft" the album received eight Grammy nominations, and won two Grammys for Isaac Hayes.