R&B, Blues, Soul & Stax

VOICES Notes and news on R&B, Blues, Soul & Stax releases

At just 27-years-old, Stax icon Isaac Hayes used a diverse spectrum of musical skills and influences to create the soundtrack to Shaft. With the release of the remastered Shaft Deluxe Edition, which features extra material and new liner notes, fans are reminded of just "who is the man who would risk his neck for his brother man" and the prodigious talent that made Hayes a musical pioneer.

By the time the movie Shaft was released in the summer of 1971, Hayes was already an established hit-maker thanks to his 1969 groundbreaking set Hot Buttered Soul. Still, Shaft proved to be as much a breakthrough for Hayes as it did for director Gordon Parks and actor Richard Roundtree. The film became a tent pole for the cinematic genre tagged "blaxploitation." Fast-moving, action-packed flicks with black heroes, the movies brought mostly black audiences to cinemas in droves. Hayes created the perfect soundtrack for Shaft -- a brilliant score that encompassed elements of jazz, funk, blues and soul.

The instrumental "Café Regio's" evoked jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, "A Friend's Place" echoed the work of composers Bacharach & David. But, it was the bluesy "Soulsville" and the 20 minute-long jam "Do Your Thing" that reflected Hayes' work as a key player in the world of black music. Of course, "Theme From Shaft" was the hit, the infectious title cut that earned Hayes the first Oscar ever given to an African-American in a non-acting category, a Golden Globe and two Grammy Awards.

Theme From Shaft

Isaac Hayes, from Shaft
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Hyperbolicsyllablecsesquedalymistic

Isaac Hayes, from Hot Buttered Soul
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Yesterday's Child

Wes Montgomery, from Dangerous
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When you hear the early recordings of Larry Williams, such as on his 1959 Specialty release Here's Larry Williams, it's hard not to compare him to his friend and labelmate Little Richard. In fact, he was signed to the label because of the similarity of his sound to the flagship artist. More than a mere copycat, however, Williams went on to have a modest string of hits including "Bony Moronie," listed as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.

The energetic cuts on Here's Larry Williams come fast and loose -- less polished than Little Richard's early work, if you think that's possible. His meaty piano riffs lay out an indelible rhythm on which the other band members hang their groove, blending the sway of R&B with a boisterous flair. Shortly after he joined Specialty, Little Richard left the music business to become a minister, effectively elevating Williams to the Architect's spot on the roster. In 1957, he released "Short Fat Fanny," which hit No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 5 on the pop chart.

He had a handful of cuts that came close, reaching near the top of the charts, but he never matched the success of that first hit. Drugs took over his life (he both used and sold them) and attempted a comeback now and then. He was found dead on Jan. 7, 1980, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot would. He was just 44-years-old. His influence on rock 'n' roll lives on, however, as do his songs which have been covered by artists such as The Beatles, New York Dolls and The Who.

Short Fat Fannie

Larry Williams, from Here's Larry ...
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Bony Moronie

Larry Williams, from Specialty Profiles: ...
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All Around The World

Little Richard, from The Very Best Of ...
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The 2007 release Interpretations: Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire paid fitting tribute to the brilliant music of supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire, the work of founder Maurice White and his groove-and-soul partners. The disc is full of standout performances by a stellar cast of current and contemporary recording artists.

Fortunately, none of the 10 tracks are mere copies of the EW&F originals and given the melodic complexity of some of the group's music, such an attempt would be foolhardy. Instead, we get a unique reading of "Fantasy" by urban alternative artist Me'shell Ndegeocello and a funky treatment of "September" by gospel best-seller Kirk Franklin.

Soul power is fully present in a couple of cuts by Stax artists, Lalah Hathaway's beautiful rendition of "Love's Holiday" and Angie Stone's "Be Ever Wonderful," one of EWF's true classic ballads. Neo-soul star Ledisi offers a heartfelt "Devotion" while one of her personal musical inspirations, the legendary Chaka Khan, brings her own unique and distinctive presence to "Shining Star."

Minneapolis music men Mint Condition stay pretty true to the original EW&F massive crossover hit "After The Love Has Gone" while retro-soul guys Musiq Soulchild and Dwele put their own spin on "Reasons" and the group's mainstream breakthrough "That's The Way Of The World" respectively. This musically satisfying Stax set is a fitting salute to a veritable musical institution.

September

Various Artists, from Interpretations: ...
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Little Girl

Lalah Hathaway, from Self Portrait
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Play Wit It

Angie Stone, from The Art of Love & War
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Hip soul music fans have known about N'Dambi since the 1999 release of her debut Little Girl Blues and the follow-up Tunin' Up & Cosignin'. Now, with her new Stax release Pink Elephant, the Dallas-born singer-songwriter is ready to move on up and expand her audience.

The former backup vocalist for Erykah Badu wisely chose Leon Sylvers III -- the veteran producer responsible for many classic hits in the '70s by Gladys Knight, Shalamar and The Whispers -- to work on her major label debut. The result is a truly solid album that has all the musical flavor of a nostalgic opus combined with N'Dambi's thought-provoking lyricism. Notable for being an honest soulful storyteller, N'Dambi has pulled out all the stops for this career milestone set.

With "L.I.E." N'Dambi uses the metaphor of a journey on the famous Long Island Expressway to paint a vivid picture of a man living a double life. The first single and video "Can't Hardly Wait" expresses the age-old conflict that comes from sticking with the familiar rather than breaking free from an unhealthy relationship.

Famed songwriter Rod Temperton brought the evocative "Nobody Jones" to this sumptuous soul set. And with "Ooo Baby" and "Mind Blowin'" (inspired by the work of Isaac Hayes on the '70s blaxploitation movie Truck Turner), N'Dambi and Sylvers give old school themes and sounds new life. Pink Elephant promises to satisfy those who've followed N'Dambi from the jump while introducing her to those folks who love their soul music straight up, no chaser.