What makes Shaft by Isaac Hayes notable?

The album features the Grammy-winning title track 'Theme From Shaft', which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of the most recognizable songs of its era. Its influence extended beyond music; it shaped the soundtracks of future films and became synonymous with the blaxploitation movement, highlighting themes of empowerment and urban culture. By 1971, Isaac Hayes had already established himself as a prominent figure in soul music, known for his work as a songwriter and producer at Stax Records. 'Shaft' was his landmark soundtrack album, following his critically acclaimed 'Hot Buttered Soul' from 1969 and marking his first major foray into film scoring. This album solidified Hayes’s role as a cultural icon and helped define the sound of the blaxploitation genre.

Shaft works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long immersive listening sessions and atmospheric background focus.

How many songs are on Shaft?

Shaft has 15 tracks, running approximately 69 minutes.

Shaft

Isaac Hayes · 1971

69 min · 15 tracks · funk · R&B · soul

A sultry mix of funk and soul that encapsulates the essence of 1970s blaxploitation cinema.

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Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
long immersive listening sessions
atmospheric background focus
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

Career context: By 1971, Isaac Hayes had already established himself as a prominent figure in soul music, known for his work as a songwriter and producer at Stax Records. 'Shaft' was his landmark soundtrack album, following his critically acclaimed 'Hot Buttered Soul' from 1969 and marking his first major foray into film scoring. This album solidified Hayes’s role as a cultural icon and helped define the sound of the blaxploitation genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Curtis Mayfield· Barry White· Sly and the Family Stone

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Theme From Shaft (vocal) 4:39
2 Bumpy’s Lament 1:51
3 Walk From Regio’s 2:24
4 Ellie’s Love Theme 3:18
5 Shaft’s Cab Ride 1:08
6 Cafe Regio’s 5:59
7 Early Sunday Morning 3:49
8 Be Yourself 4:30
9 A Friend’s Place 3:22
10 Soulsville (vocal) 3:48
11 No Name Bar 6:11
12 Bumpy’s Blues 4:04
13 Shaft Strikes Again 3:04
14 Do Your Thing (vocal) 19:30
15 The End Theme 1:56

What to play next

Listen next

Black Moses

1971

Go back to

…To Be Continued

1970

Full Isaac Hayes discography Artists like Isaac Hayes

funk soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata