Review by DACooper July 24, 2004 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
It's not often that a movie soundtrack surpasses the film for which it is created. Too often today, soundtracks are simply slapped-together compilations of songs by various artists that don't flow well as albums. However, this soundtrack from the early '70s is an exception to that rule.
Those who only know Isaac Hayes as the voice of Chef on "South Park" are missing out on one of the true giants of early 70s soul/jazz/pop/rock music. His recordings for Stax are legendary, but perhaps nothing he did is more well known than "The Theme From Shaft." With the Bar-Kays and The Movement laying killer grooves, the music here breaks all the rules and can't be pigeonholed - tough, gritty street music that is as smooth as satin at the same time.
A lot of care was taken in the original recording, and that shines through on this SACD. From the high-hat and wah-wah guitar riff that opens the CD, you know that you are in for a sonic treat. The whole CD is full of surprises, both musically & sonically. George Horn did a terrific mastering job on this and the warmth and detail of all the instruments here is breathtaking.
This is an incredible version of a classic recording!!
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Review by muzikman March 11, 2004 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
Next to Hot Buttered Soul the SHAFT- Music from the Soundtrack album has stood the test of time as an utter jazz-blues-soul-pop classic. This was an excellent choice to reformat in the SACD configuration. Issac Hayes and his band were at the peak of their creative powers during this time and I think someone in Hollywood was very aware of that and understood that signing on Hayes to record the soundtrack to help launch their movie would be a key factor to its success, and it was.
I have been trying to get my hands on this album for two years now for review! Finally, my long time friends at Fantasy Jazz came through for me.
This is one incredible album. The sound and production are superior for 1971, and now it is just beyond words how fine this album sounds. Every detail comes to the forefront in this format, you can tell that the original production was solid and very precise and full in sound, and obviously, if this was not so, the existing version would not sound so sparkling and crisp. You need something good to work with to be able to improve upon it. Hayes did not miss a step when he put his band together and went into the studio for this project.
The “Theme From Shaft” is one of the most recognizable songs in the history of recorded music and I could not stop playing it, it sounds so new and fresh now. What really blew me away was “Do Your Thing,” which is equal to one side on an LP, 19 minutes and 30 seconds (in old-timer’s terms). The guitar, bass, drums, well, everything is so outstanding, it makes for a classic combination of jazz, blues and rock. This unbelievable track will have your eyes bugging out of your head, guaranteed.
To make a potentially very long story short, this is an indispensable piece of music that is an absolute necessity for any serious music fan, do not pass on this release, it is truly a phenomenal listening experience that you will not forget.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com
Rating-5 / 5
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