Whether you know him as Chef from South Park, or the purveyor of Stax Records' sultriest symphonic soul man, or just really love the Theme From Shaft, there's plenty to learn and love here on Hot Buttered Singles 1969-1972. A comprehensive and chronological collection of one of Hayes' prolific singles eras, this is a must for anyone who loves a hot buttered slice of soul. - Flying Out
Sixteen years may have gone by since Isaac Hayes’ untimely passing at the age of just 65, but he remains one of the most popular and Iconic singer-songwriter-arrangers in the history of Soul music. The albums Hayes’ made for Stax’ Enterprise label remain the benchmark in ‘symphonic soul’, and sound as breathtakingly brilliant as they did when they were new releases.
As well as being one of a small group of artists who expanded the growth of the soul albums market, Ike was a consistently successful singles artist, who placed 16 consecutive 45s on the R&B chart between 1969 and 1976 – most of which also crossed over to pop.
The biggest hits have been anthologised on previous occasions – but Hot Buttered Singles is the first series to present the A and B sides of all of Hayes’ ‘Yellow Stax’-era 45s in chronological order, and in their original singles versions – several of which have not appeared on CD before. Many of these tracks are among his best loved recordings. Here you will hear them as you would have heard them on soul and pop radio over half a century ago.
Extensively annotated, handsomely illustrated and coming to you – on CD and double vinyl - in a package that an artist of Ike’s stature thoroughly deserves.
Watch out for volume 2 – which carries Hayes’ singles story through to 1977, and which includes all the early singles on Ike’s own HBS label – in 2025!
Tracklist:
1. Walk On By
2. By The Time I Get To Phoenix
3. The Mistletoe And Me
4. Winter Snow
5. I Stand Accused
6. I Just Don't Know What To Do
7. The Look Of Love
8. Ike's Mood Pt 1
9. Never Can Say Goodbye
10. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
11. Theme From Shaft
12. Café Regio's
13. Do Your Thing
14. Ellie's Love Theme
15. Let's Stay Together
16. Soulsville
17. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)
18. Baby I'm-a Want You
19. Soul-a-lujah (Instrumental)
