Isaac Hayes will forever be associated with the legendary Stax Records, as a producer, arranger and composer he was responsible for some of the all time classic Soul records, such as Hold On I’m Comin’ and Soul Man. He emerged from behind the mixing desk with his hugely influential 2nd album “Hot Buttered Soul” and of course his score for the blaxploitation flick “Shaft“.

BBC Obituary and Video / CNN Obit

For more on Hayes and the story of Stax records watch this fantastic BBC documentary which I can’t recommend highly enough (below)
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Hayes was also a hugely influential figure to future generations of musicians. “Ike’s Rap II” influenced an entire genre “Trip-Hop” sampled as it was by Portishead, Tricky and Massive Attack. His sprawling disco funk “Disco Connection” (watch it below) undoubtedly influenced LCD Soundsystem (most notably the “Beat Connection” track), and he was one of the most sampled acts of all time from Public Enemy to the aforementioned trip hoppers.

Finally click here and watch one of the greatest Top Of The Pops performance’s of all time… no not “oooh Gary Davies” but Daryll Pandy roaring his way through Farley Jackmaster Funk’ “Love Can’t Turn Around”. It was based on Isaac’s “I Cant Turn Around” and I can still remember watching the jaw dropping performance as if it was yesterday (not … cough 22 years ago!!)

Watch: Farley Jackmaster Funk feat Daryll Pandy – “Love Cant Turn Around” (Youtube)

Listen:
Isaac Hayes – “Zeke The Freak (Todd Terje Reedit)” (MP3)
Isaac Hayes – “I Can’t Turn Around” (MP3)
Public Enemy – “Black Steel In The Hour of Chaos” (MP3)
Tricky – “Hell Is Around The Corner” (MP3)
Bomb The Bass – “Beat Dis (The Gangsterboogie Inc remix)” (MP3)
Visioneers – “Ike’s Mood I” (MP3)

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