Hot Buttered Soul

Enjoyed it will listen again!

This first track is alright but why is it SO LONG? It feels very self-indulgent :P Which is not necessarily a bad thing, but I think that I would enjoy it better if it was tightened up significantly. I like the 2nd track a lot better. It’s still long but it feels like it has more structure and direction. All the elements work well together - the drums, bass, vocals, keys - it’s good! I say again, more songs these days should have fun with instrumental breaks! I have mixed feelings about One Woman - the melody and instrumentation read very romantic but the lyrics are pretty skeezy :P Again, I like By the Time I Get to Phoenix but it is SO LONG. I really didn’t need almost 10 mins of intro :P The single version of Walk On By works a lot better in my opinion. But it does ALSO read kinda skeezy to me - it feels like fuckboy music? Idk. I like the single version of By the Time I Get to Phoenix better too. I like how it feels like it closes out earlier than expected too - it fits nicely with the story.

7/10. It had a really nice soulful vibe to it. Four long songs. I like long songs. :)

Was alright, not amazing though

i cannot stop thinking about chef from south park singing this. all seriousness though, this is a phenomenal album. i was a bit wary at first, 4 songs, 40+ minutes is not an easy sell. having “walk on by” as the opener was such a great decision. i think i still prefer dionne warwicks over this, but i’ll be damned if this isn’t a phenomenal cover. feels like a totally different song. my only “gripe” with this is the long monologue on “by the time i get to phoenix” i understand its place in the song, but it does hamper the replay value for me personally.

I knew of Issac Hayes from South Park and pop culture references, so I was curious going in. I love the sound, feel and atmosphere created on this album. The spoken intro on the last track really drops the ball though. When you've only got 4 tracks it's a big blow and stops this from getting a 5 from me.

yeah, this is some really good stuff. 9 min spoken intro just adds to the vibes.

Soulful and heavy, only 4 songs but they show their weight. I’d put this on on a somewhat dreary day with good feelings. 2.8

that fucking guitar in walk on by holy shit

This was fine

Was OK, intros far to long.

The groove is very real, just wish it had a little more than that going on for it

2 kinda groovy at the start and then the album starts to drag. The songs are all entirely too long and even tho they jam packed with instrumentation they somehow feel empty. I wouldn’t consider the music to be bad at all. I just kinda got bored

3.75

Yeah man

delicinha de album

Smooth. Of course. Very original of me.

This album dies by its long intros and outros, but at least they still sound good.

Som album namnet säger asså!!!

Chill album, lyssnade bara två låtar o dom var helt okej men lite långa o tråkiga

Najs låtar, kan vara fett med långa låtar men då tycker jag man ska ha några korta också Bästa låt: By the time I get to Phoenix

Longest collection of 4 tracks I've ever heard! Wild of me to think Hotel California was a long song -- this album's got a track That's nearly 20 minutes long. The first track is pretty nice for background noise, but does suffer from feeling too overstayed. Probably should have been more like 9-10 minutes than 12, but that just might be my personal preferences on long instrumental sections. One Woman is nice, has really good melody with solid background singers. Last track felt like a storytime session. Why is this called Hot Buttered Soul, though. Mr. Hayes, sir.... 😭

Long, meandering songs. So much Hammond organ, Wawa pedal, etc. Interesting format and many great moments, especially the vocals. But as a whole, not my thing.

I went into this album expecting a soulful masterpiece based on what I've read. What I didn't expect is how much innovation and genre diversity there would be in 4 songs. Truly captivating listen, although I do feel like the longer songs contain too much filler and are better enjoyed in their single-release lengths

Godds

Awesome

Nice one

Bedroom music

Very good

one of the great of soul

The first track, “Walk On By,” is excellent. Unfortunately, I feel like the quality decreases as the album goes on - in particular, the (long) spoken word portion of “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” didn’t do anything for me - but “Walk On By” was good enough, and the rest enjoyable enough, that I’m willing to be more charitable in my rating. 3.5 rounded up

Funky soul

Soulful for sure. Wasn’t expecting all the storytelling. An interesting first listen.

Never been a fan of 15 minute songs with the 70s, Vegas-style talking soliloquy before getting to the essence of the song, but I forgive Isaac with this album because the music is so funky. And it’s short in terms of the number of songs, which I like in its entirety so thumbs up for me.

This had no right to go as hard as it did.

Nuevo día de Artista Desconocido. Leí la reseña de Wikipedia y veo que el tipo es un mostro de la historia musical. El disco arranca con música súper chill, sexy, con un Isaac Hayes con una voz cavernosa, sensual. La segunda canción sigue la misma línea sexy pero un poco más arriba que la que comienza éste trabajo. El resto de las canciones bajan y vuelven a la línea más chill. Imagino a este disco ideal para escuchar fumado o con una pareja ocasional o constante. Cerramos por hoy el antro musical.

Fine

Loved this one. Isaac Hayes’s voice is buttery smooth and the long form songs were a hit for me.

Guter Soul und Klang. Aber manche Songs doch etwas zu lang.

The first track is sensational. Being a Wu-Tang fan, I immediately recognised the sample, but beyond that it's just stunning. The last track is a little slow on the uptake, but overall this is a great collection of songs.

smooth

Crispy

The first two songs on this album are great. The last two... underwhelming. Overall the grooves are great, songs are a bit long for a normal listener but otherwise note bad. And lets just mention that Isaac Hayes is Chef from South Park! Album title alone gets a star!

Smooth with a good beat, enjoyed!

Need short songs

more of that good classic soul to keep the mind, body and... well, soul in check. this one only has a few really lengthy tracks. it's a really well produced album, i especially like the trippy wailin' guitars... but a lot of the songs end up being a little stagnant, just draaaaaaaagging for long periods of time. one of the tracks is more spoken word than sung.

Definitely influenced Portishead, just four great soul jams!

incredibly well produced at the time. actually really liked this one

Yes! Listening to the first track now and thinking about the hip hop songs that have sampled this. This is a jammy album. I could throw this on and groove. Okay, now they are getting a bit excessive.

Put this on while getting work done. Overall was nice and relaxing/chill for working. Not a fan of the talking/story telling, just give me the music!

Not too familiar with Isaac Hayes, and was pleasantly surprised with how good this album is. Not my typical style of music, but I love and appreciate all the instrumentals.

love the voice, love the storytelling. don't love the excessive intro and instrumental sections, which just aren't that interesting to me. good vibes but a little too much unnecessary fat

Four, ten minute long songs made for a very different type of listen.

I didn’t think I would like this but I did and would listen to this again. Walk on by was fantastic. Really good music Favourite song: walk on by Least favourite: all good songs Album artwork: great

Deeply emotional and soulful.

This was okay, just a bit long.

buah

Está guapo

cool stuff - Personally I like long songs, especially if they are telling a good story. So, I‘m impressed. Thanks for this 45min.

First two songs are James. Last two songs are boring.

It's almost spoken word at some points in this album. These tracks are so gentle, soulful and intentional. Usually things I don't really value in the music I listen to regularly but the rhythm section is just so damn tight and groovy.

Last two songs bring down the rating.

Definitely NOT a 2 despite what Luke says

Walk On By KÆMPE banger!!! Alle numrene er gode!

MEGET smooth, virkelig lækker lyd. Nød det her en del mere end Shaft soundtracket. Ved ik helt om jeg synes By the Time I Get to Phoenix havde behøvet den der 10-minutters spoken word intro

Kunne ret godt lide den her.. 4 sange, men de var super fede.

Not my scene.

Not my scene

Molto particolare, piacevole. Per un sottofondo delicato ma cool.

I liked the first three tracks, but the last one is not for me.

Good album, was not in the mood for it tho

Meandering. I'd hate to be the bass player playing the same thing for 10 minutes. Otherwise good in the background

Great album

Each song is great but also overstay their welcome. Nearly a third of this is filler.

Amazing album! I was aware of its legend status, but haven't really listened to it. Psychedelic funk, count me in!

Favorite Track: Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic

Sehr schöner Soul, das höre ich sehr gerne, vor allem auch wegen des Bläsersatzes und der Streicher. Das gibt einfach noch mal mehr Breite. Der Sprechteil ist nicht so stark.

What a baller album. Probably one of my favourite discoveries since starting this challenge. Hayes' voice is lush and commanding, and he's accompanied by some really gorgeous production and orchestration behind him. I particularly like the last track with how this very bare bones instrumentation goes from unsettling to much more grandiose and beautiful. Best track: By the Time I Get to Phoenix Worst Track: Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic

Incredible stuff, not really a fan of the nearly 9 minute story on the last track but the rest is SO good it makes up for it

Like the backing music, and the singing. The songs go on for too long for my taste, but an easy listen for the day. 3/5

As smooth and soulful as it gets! More evidence that 1969 may be the greatest year of music.

it’s chef!

This is amazing. How have I not listened to this?

This album was one of the first cassettes I ever owned…I wonder if it is still around here somewhere? Great groove…an album that can play in front or in the back ground. One of those that take me back. Grandy & Rockfish.

Only really know him as Chef from South Park but this was awesome. It’s like funk classical music if that makes sense. Would listen to it again

Loved it. Crazy that it was only four tracks. Loved the final track which was very story based.

Heeel dicht tegen 5 aan, wat lekker ey

3.5 stars. A pretty good soul album. I knew each song was gonna be long when I only saw 4 tracks. With that in mind, it's an easy ride through the album. "Walk on By" is pretty good

Didnt listen

83/1001 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑

An easy listening album

4.5/5

Wasn't enthusiastic about this until I read what it was. As a sucker for a long song which grows and twists, I'm in heaven here. Also I thought I'd heard all the banging covers of Walk On By.

🤰🏻

Going with 4 jammed out songs instead of opting for single hits was an interesting decision in the era of Motown. That’s what I always respected about Stax. They always took a flyer on shit like this. Not only is Hayes’ voice indeed hot and buttery, but the backing band (The Bar-Kays) are absolutely killing it. I love those moments where he just lets the band jam. Best listened to on a Sunday morning with coffee and a joint.

Good jams. It's wild how little Isaac sings. Smooth as silk.

Cool dude, but this one is too self indulgent. Stop staring in the mirror… play some music for your fans.

The music itself is full of good vibes. Smooth and relaxing with some good singing. Not a fan of the long breakdowns where Isaac is basically just talking with a simple beat in the background.

Not my taste, but it was very easy listening.

interesting album, only 4 tracks? smooth beats.

unbelievable this is over 50 years old as of 2024. there are genuine soundscapes on this that you’d be impressed to hear today. the horns and strings on one woman and by the time were magical and emotional. they don’t dominate the whole mix but when they come in, they come in loud and draw your attention. the keys (both piano and organ) have some beautiful, understated moments. this was really lovely, the track lengths seemed intimidating but their length felt natural and if anything a couple could’ve had a little more at the end. this album once again shows what soul had to offer in the 60s. this is grandiose, romantic, psychedelic, and full of soul.

Not my bag

Good 70’s RB. “By the time I get to Phoenix” surprised me. Glen Campbell made it a hit in the 70’s but written by Jimmy Web (also wrote Witchata Limeman and Galviston).

You get just about everything you need to hear by the 7th minute of the first track

It is heart warming!

the 1st two songs are 2 of the best soul songs ever. and Dr. Dre sampled the second track. knocking off 1 star because the last 2 songs are meh.

“Walk on By” is classic soul with a riff built for sampling, while “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” is a dramatic monologue that tests my patience. But this is where the mythic '70s soul man truly arrives—gold chains, strings, and all.

Fine fine but got kinda boring.

Shaft us a bad mother...

Captivating and soulful, holds up well despite its age

Some mildly interesting songs but not a particularly compelling total album.

Chamou mais atenção pela quantidade e duração das músicas.

Very soulful album

I wanted to like this more than I did. The music's good (though the last two songs have too much of that flutey smooth jazz stuff for me). Hayes' voice is great. But the album is 4 songs and It just. goes. on. forever. And wtf is the last track? Did Matt and Trey go back in time and write this script for Chef? I guess I truly understand where the character comes from now. Hayes just babbles on with some weird story set to an obnoxious triangle metronome for almost 9 minutes before anything that can be called music starts. And then it goes on for another 9+ minutes. I can't. 2/5

Cool album. It's only the last part that brings down the rating as the first is brilliant.

Love the funk and the soul. Not my favorite album by Hayes, but a great one just the same.

Consisting of only four lengthy tracks, Isaac Hayes' "Hot Buttered Soul" is considered a landmark album in the history of soul music. While the some of the sounds and grooves are really moving, the long, drawn out conversational affect really detracts from the experience. Also, nothing better than a looking at the shine and pores/stubble on a man's scalp.

not really my thing

one of the all-time best. amazing!

Lush funky arrangements that suffers from pacing issues that requires considerable patience. I say this as someone who routinely listens to tracks that can exceed 10 minutes by bands like Yes and Rush. 4 tracks with a duration of 45 minutes tells you all you need to know. Some of these tracks could have shined brighter had they been mixed down to single length versions, which after reading more about this album, sounds like what they eventually did. Not digging the spoken word intro, it should have been a separate track as a lead in to the song proper, so you could skip right to the song. Did not dig the lyrics of any of the songs, but the instrumentation was on point. Props to his arranger Johnny Allen. In my opinion "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" was the only song on the album that justified its length. I think the last track was probably inspired by envy over William Shatner's spoken word masterpiece album The Transformed Man that was released a couple of years earlier.

It was pleasant.

I don't deny the talent, but the album bored the hell out of me. Perhaps that's its intent? Cleansing to soul by putting it to sleep first? Ok, joking at a genre's expense. Just not for me. I did notice a few bits of music that have been looped into other songs, both hip hop and other.

Great voice and something quite innovative for a soul record. The long songs wear a bit thin in the end though. Probably would've given a 4 but the nearly 10 minutes of talking before the last track is a waste of time, why did he put that on an album??

It’s good but that talking on the last track was too much. 2.75

i dont know what to say this is actually amazing. i feel actual tingles when i listened to this album. every song is a masterpiece, i dont know what else to say, and im too lazy to comment on each song by itself :3

muy buenos desarrollos instrumentales. no lo conocía

It was okay, very soulful but a little boring imo

So boring!

Way more than just a good time.

Soul is has a very high floor and a low ceiling. Hot Buttered Soul is a good album, very accessible, despite the 8.5 minute intro to By The Time I Got To Phoenix, that’s no doubt excessive but respect to Hayes for setting the stage. All I can ever think of with Soul is how smooth it is. This album is better than most 7.4/10

Didn't mind it at first, the first song was good. Then I started struggling and went to the reviews to occupy myself with something. That's when I learned that he was Chef from South Park and I couldn't unhear it since

its a 3 but not a 3 not as bad as the previous album that also got a 2 but idk this felt too repetitive

Love me some Isaac Hayes.

I was worried about seeing just 4 long songs, but this was so dynamic and awesome, minus “One Woman”, which was thankfully the shortest song on the album. Best praise - I didn’t think about Chef at all when listening to this.

Four tracks, three absolute gems. "One Woman" is fine, but it's both the shortest and most mundane cut in what is a crazy album elsewhere, especially when it comes to textures and arrangements, all deftly handled by Hayes and his cast of stellar musicians. Recently, I've had a few albums on this app in which cover versions of other people's songs play an important part (LPs by Dion, Blood Sweat And Tears and Trio), and all of those were at least somewhat unconvincing as a fully-embodied artistic statement. *Hot Buttered Soul* feels very different in that regard. Because it displays a mastery that this sort of record mostly containing covers rarely reaches I love the fact that the old schmaltzy Bacharach / David standard "Walk On By" opening this record is barely recognizable, for instance. As I love the notion that this smoooooth version of the song feels very much like an elder brother to Hayes' "Ike's Rap II" (famously sampled by Portishead and Tricky). Hayes savours very moment here, and so does the listener. "Hyperbolicsyllable...", the only "original" composition in this album, is a thing of wonder as well. Sensual and groovy, thanks to its killer bassline and its thick, moody instrumentation. And a composition which is a testament to Hayes' songwriting skills. After all, the man knew a thing or two about that, since he co-wrote Sam And Dave's "Soul Man". Even if what we have here is a very different animal, opening the way to the "progressive soul" subgenre... Finally, "By The Time I Get To Arizona" is another unrecognizable cover--a version of a sad country song I had never heard about before. Needless to say, this version (which probably inspired the title of Public Enemy's "By the Time I Get To Arizona") beats the original out of the park. With this 18-minute tour de force about a couple breaking up, Hayes is not merely groovy here, he becomes fully epic--"Black Moses" indeed, or maybe "Black Homer". After a long spoken-word introduction setting you in the right mood and explaining the stakes of the proper tune about to follow, Hayes' deep voice propels you to another dimension, supported by cinematic orchestral arrangements --those lush, lush strings! Those sudden blasts of horns!. Man oh man, what a treat! Buying this record right away. 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list, rounded up to 5. Which translates to a 9.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5+4.5) Number of albums left to review: 227 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 333 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 197 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 250

Hot buttered soul is an iconic album name. A classic soul/funky vibe, but my zoomer brain got bored and wanted it to move much faster. I recognized walk on by probably from one of the many songs that sampled it.

The beat on the opening track - an epic, almost cinematic reinvention of the Bacharach/David classic "Walk On By" - has been sampled so much it is nearly singlehandedly responsible for the entire Trip Hop genre. Four stars just for that tune. The songwriting on the rest of the album isn't as interesting to me, which is surprising considering how many classics Isaac Hayes wrote.

A great selection for this project! Given how long the tracks are on this album, I doubt I've ever heard any of these songs before, at least in their original format, so it's really nice to hear an early release of an iconic artist. (Sadly, the YouTube Music link for this album includes the much shorter single/radio-friendly version of "Walk on By". The 12-minute version is so much more interesting, I'd say.) It's fascinating to read that if not for Atlantic splitting with Stax, he probably wouldn't have even made this album, which would have been a shame for everyone. And not just Henry Rollins. :)

So disappointed. It's like he channeled Rex Harrison and just talked his way through it.

Interesting soul music, but not really my thing.

Ass blasting.

This is truly an album where the title is self-descriptive.

Apparently no creative barriers for Hayes and he relishes it with long, psychedlic soul songs and ballads. A true melding of the Stax and Motown sounds with the lush strings added in post in Detroit. Epic, layered compositions. Walk On By is an slow burner but upbeat slice of soul funk that ends with a Eddie Hazel style solo while Hayes works the leslie. Funkadelic comparisons continue on track 2, not just in stylizing of the title but the funky backbeat and wah guitar that perfectly frame that deep baritone singing about modus operandi and medula oblongota. One Woman is a bit saccharine and overwrought, thankfully the shortest one on here. By the time I get to phoenix starts with the epic story of a love gone wrong before a gut wrenching ballad, punctuated by horns, strings and woodwinds over a slow thumping bass line and Hayes' tinkling piano. His voice is again the centerpiece here, telling the story of heartbreak with an almost desperate bittersweet pleading before a final build up and coda.

Increíble voz. Mucho más que que Shaft.

Isaac Hayes and Marvin Gaye were great voices of soul early on. Easy to forget younger listeners know Isaac from his work outside of his artistry as a soul singer. We lost Marvin way too young. Never listened to this at the time, but I had Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. Enjoyed the listen—doesn’t sound dated at all!

Good background. 1 familiar beat. 3

Decent. Mostly covers but his versions are unique with lots of great ad libs, and I actually enjoyed that monologue everyone's complaining about. Also, for some reason I though Al Bell was an AI up until tonight. Definitely relieved to find out he's a human being.

meh

Great stuff.

Very good prog soul album from the late 1960s with incredible production which doesn't sound dated even after 55 years. The spoken word poetry was a bit long but otherwise a really good album in this genre.

Excellent vibes and production. Really enjoy the vocals as well.

I don’t know quite what to make of this. I liked it. It wasn’t what I expected. It’s not something I’m going to sit down and listen to. I did actually like By The time I Get To Phoenix. Isaac Hayes.

What i have gotten to know Isaac Hayes for is his voice. Unmistakable, warm, deep, enveloping. But what starts this record and runs throughout is the incredible, soaring power of the music. The voice here is an instrument in the whole: this thing, hypnotic and that comes at you from all over the map. The strings, the funky riffing, and this bass, round and enchanting and almost liquid. And as I walk around the house, head nodding, I am travelling. He does not come in until we are a good 2-3 minutes in, but is already haunting the song, picking his spot. At the time, it must have been such a tricky piece to pin down. What is this thing he is doing? The year is 1969 and Hayes is doing whatever he pleases with whatever he finds. Four songs, with one topping 18 minutes. These «  songs » soar to become soul epics and rewrite the format of whatever soul music was at the time. Whatever this is, it is luscious, spacious and smooth like a warm summer night. And the next minute it is raucous and gritty. And I cannot think of anybody doing anything comparable to this. Funkadelic released their first a year later in 1970, and then Maggot Brain was in a year later. Stevie was not yet working on his 1970s classic albums. There is yearning here , for an expanded life, an aspiration to freedom, and a bravery that is barely contained. I am tempted to say it is fearless, but I don’t know. Maybe there was fear, and that might be what makes this record special. It cannot be easy to refuse to be contained when you are a black man in 1969. And yet there is a container: that of the soul tradition. Making Walk on By your first song on your first record, only to explode it and send it to the stars the way Hayes is doing here is both deeply loving and incredibly bold. This is a black man taking a song written by two white men for a black singer, completely reappropriating it and turning it into a manifest. This is excellent. If you see me walking down the street And I start to cry, each time we meet Walk on by Walk on by Make believe that you don't see the tears Just let me grieve In private, 'cause each time I see you, I break down and cry

I love the guitar on Walk on By. So much so that I will learn to play it myself. The album wears down around By the Time I Get to Phoenix, at least through 3/4 of the song, then it gets good again. It’s a decent album Choice Cut: Walk on By

3.5

I think I gave this record on vinyl to a buddy of mine at the radio station I worked at. Huge mistake as this is definitely a classic. Pretty cool sounding soul record. Pretty experimental feeling too having such long songs but the arrangements of a full band plus some orchestral elements really add to the vibe. If you pay attention you can appreciate all the details or you can just let it play for the general vibe and it's good both in an hypnotic trancey state or a mood enhancer. One woman being a beautiful love song. Walk on by being a killer opener. The second song which I can't remember the full name feeling inspiring to that outkast album but being a jaunty piano track. A crazy "by the time I get to phoenix" cover. This album is the definition of not feeling cool enough to listen to it.

Really enjoyed this one but the length of 3/4 songs is just too long. Two songs just become 10 minute jam sessions, which is fine, but Hayes as a solo artist, isn't writing his own much other than contributing to Hyperbolic. The fourth song is 8 minutes of spoken word poetry. Overall, I wanted to love this album but the length of the 4 songs just was too much.

soul at its best. really no point in giving this less than a 5

Smoothness. Proper soul vibe

Honestly, this one blended into the background even more than most.

Did OK, not a bad album, but I'd rather listen to all the South Park Chef songs than this album again.

The first three songs are amazing. Just so good and funky. That last one drags on forever. I can't see myself throwing this album on again knowing that 20 minutes is waiting for me at the end. It would have been an easy 5 without that.

i really like the first song the rest were alright. sooo long.

What is this name bro

Nja, den håller definitivt inte samma klass som "Shaft".

It's really enjoyable but holy fuck can these songs be a little shorter

Smoother than his head

As far as Scientologists go, I'm a fan of Isaac Hayes. What a legacy. I was more familiar with his work composing songs for others at Stax and film scores like Shaft and Tough Guys, but hadn't heard this one before! I probably have acquired the strongest taste for this genre out of our group, so it will be no surprise to anyone that I did not feel these songs were overlong (there's a single version of the last track). Loved One Woman.

It’s good but not for me. Not sure what was going on with that final track.

Damn, this dude got cheated on and was really sad about it. Some good grooves but it was mostly story telling.

Just an epic album. 4 tracks, 45 minutes but sweeping in scope. Isaac Hayes really takes his time with these songs, both allowing the band to groove and the tension to build until the euphoric moment of release. He has complete command of these songs. The cover of "walk on by" is transformative and unrecognizable but great. This must have been such a ballsy album to make and must have influenced the psychedelic temptations as well as Marvin Gaye's moodier albums. I could have done without the spoken intro to By the time I got to Phoenix, but the end of the song was sublime. The wait paid off. Would do a 4.5 if possible.

J'aime beaucoup la soul, et celle-ci a clairement quelque chose de différent, de plus expérimental. 3,5

What a wild name for a record eh? Fantastic stuff, liked this one a lot. Meandering 12-15 minute songs were a surprise, and fit nicely. Didn’t know Hayes had previously been a session musician, much more interesting guy than I ever realized.

Das ist ein mächtiges Album. Richtig bombastisch: Streicher, Bläser, souliger Gesang. Wow. Das ist sehr beeindruckend. Ein richtig gutes Album mit kleinen Symphonien.

Great musicianship but tracks are a little meandering.

so good, doesn't sound dated at all, production is brilliant. points deducted for the audiobook section. 3.7.

Isaac Hayes sat in despair. The album deadline was fast approaching, and he had a severe case of writers’ block, stuck with only four song ideas and a record label contract mandating at least 45 minutes of music. Suddenly, he had an idea.

Chef from south park

2/5 - This album 3.5/5 - This album but 24 minutes

Very cool. The use of full orchestra is so muscular here you'd have to believe that this was a time when music could really change the world. There's simply no other reason for that kind of intensity.

Only 4 song, but one is 12 minutes and one is 19 minutes and the whole album is fantastic. The tension, build, and release of each piece is masterful.

I loved Walk On. The rest was good, but a little forgettable.

Great voice, great vibe. Not sure the monologue added much... could have had a couple more songs instead perhaps, Isaac? But good on him for doing his thing. 7 out of 10.

Mellow? Yes. Interesting? Yes. Self-indulgent? Yes.

Very relaxing. Enjoyed it

No one does a slow burn like Isaac Hayes

Nice n smooth Will I listen to again: 25%

kalju-paten hauskan pito sessio. suolaiset kuumat suklaa palleroiset eikö heh... puhuva kone, kuin roger waters... dark side revisited...reinvented..resurrected...like jesuis kristo... vapahtajamme... nousi ylös kolmantena päivänä.. kuin sairaalloinen sydänvikainen konsanaan...ja nousi... ja uusi grindi lähti käyntiin... hyvää pääsiäistä, kaikille uskovaisille veljille, brothers..in arms.... kuuma voideltu sielu walk on by

Really enjoyed the funky instrumentals to start this off. By The Time I Get To Phoenix is an 18min track - maybe that made less of a difference when playing on vinyl, but it took me a few times to get through it playing digitally and not remembering where I had left off. I did like the groove, but I'm not rearing to relisten.

A whole lot going on. Great sound.

Very niceeeee

Really nice sounding but 4 tracks in 45 mins is insane and what was that weird rant on the last track

When i saw that this album had really long song i was a bit "scared" because most of songs that i've listen on this list that last more than 7 minutes are pretty much shit, but believe me this is not the case, it's such relaxing music that you forget that there's a song that last 12 minutes. For me it was kind of like a chill morning album, it's really great.

There's a spiritual nature to Isaac Hayes' records that just leave me floored every time, contemplating conversion to Scientology, and Hot Buttered Soul might be the best example of that. It's ironic that I already played this independently from the challenge earlier this week, because it'd been a while since I listened to it in full, and it really is *that* good. I used to listen to it while writing college papers, because it's excellent background vibe music, but you can also fully engage with it and find something new and rewarding to fixate on. You could argue that the track length, detail, and the singularity of this album are a sort of Achilles Heel, as they're strengths to the album proper but weaknesses if you want a more casual listen, but I wouldn't. No other 18-minute song in the history of recorded music makes me sit my ass down faster. The fact that 75% of this album is cover songs is crazy, because this is cohesive as hell, an Artistic Statement™️ if I've ever seen one. While I think it may be just outside my personal Top 100, there's a magic to this record that I can't deny. It's essential to a whole half of American music history in a way that I can't understate, and it holds all the allure I'm sure it did upon release 55 years ago.

This is the first album on this list that I’ve listened to that made me go “Wow, I actually am glad I listened to that before I died.” Prior to listening to this album I would have described my soul as brittle, fragile, probably more on the cold side…but now? Oh BABY oh baby now I’ve got that hot buttered soul in me. I listened to this high in my car and it changed me as a woman. This album takes you on a ride. Every song is a JOURNEY. You will like the final destination. 10/10 album 10/10 title 10/10 cover 10/10 LYRICS “Cause I like it like that Your modus operandi Is really all right, out of sight Your sweet phalanges Know how to squeeze My gastronomical stupensity Is really satisfied when you're loving me” Are you kidding me?? Are you serious??? He really did that??? “Let me stop procrastinating Standin' here and narrating Find my emancipator She's a love educator Cerebral, cerebellum, a medulla oblongata” Shut the fuck up he’s got a whole ass anatomy lesson in those lyrics and it’s somehow sexy as hell????? “One Woman” is literally the most romantic song about cheating ever. I think I like get music now. Thank you, Isaac Hayes.

Liked everything.

p183. 1969. 3 stars. Fabulous production, and one of the great soul voices on top form. Set against that are excessively long tracks - 12+ minute workout on "Walk On By" and a 9+ "intro" to "By The Time I Get To Phoenix". There is a reason there were single versions of both of these. When it's good, its very good indeed.

I only know Isaac Hayes from the Theme from Shaft, which is a brilliant song. So I was interested to hear this. There's only 4 songs on this album, running 45 minutes total. Prog-soul? Well, no, but there is a jazz feel for certain. The album kicks off with a 12+ minute cover of Burt Bacharach's "Walk On By" which had been a big hit for Dionne Warwick a few year earlier. Hayes does it justice, with a relaxed, soulful rendition. Solid but not really compelling. The mix here is a bit treble-y, the bass is a little down in the mix (for my tastes). "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" is a lot funkier, and nails the groove nicely. But may lose a bit for the odd title, which anchors the chorus. I guess it was cool in '69? At almost 10 minutes, though, it isn't exactly concise. "One Woman" is the shortest song on the album, but still over 5 minutes. This one doesn't do anything for me; a slow soulful ballad. "One woman is making my home / while the other woman is making me do wrong"... meh. "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" is an especially bold cover, given the iconic status of Glen Campbell's version, which was released just 2 years earlier. Haye's version tops 12 minutes, starting with a spoken section which builds a narrative explaining the meaning of the song. One note bass over a simple drum count. For 8 minutes and 45 seconds.... Now, this might be cool in a live settings, but not on an album. This is a significant detractor. Once he gets into the song, it rather drags. Maybe it is just that my expectations were so high, but this REALLY leaves me cold. Not bad, but not as good as I hoped. 3/5

A true classic Great album. Granted nothing here comes close to chocolate salty balls but little does.

Amazing production. Felt modern even though it was from the 60’s. And genuinely great songs. The slow build up was worth it and it rides itself the perfect amount. The spoken word segment was a little too long but aside from that a great album.

Fantastic, some of the best Soul music I've heard. I'll definitely be coming back to this.

When you don't really notice or care how long some of the songs are, shows how engaging it is. I really liked the ambition, the cinematic nature, and the psychedelic touches of this album. The backing band is very solid. Also, I loved finding what would later become the sample used on Public Enemy's 'Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos.'

I would have given this album a four if it wasn't for the same five minute spoken story within two songs.

2/5

Like this a lot. Walk on by - very nice.

Beaucoup aimé l'instrumentation. Le disque n'est pas long! Faudrait que j'écoute les autres que l'artiste a produits. Moins aimé le blabla de la dernière chanson, mais je suppose qu'en live ce serait apprécié.

I already love this album. This walk on by is simply one of the best pieces of music.

What an album. The arrangement on Walk On By is stunning. Not many artists could pull off an album that’s book-ended with 13 and 18 minute tracks, but the black Moses does it in style here. The source of many hip-hop samples. So soulful.

I only listen to 2 songs haha

songs too long

Pass, will listen on CD at some point

So good

Above all, the music slaps and you get treated to extended jams of tight grooves. One of the highlights is the composition of the band and the added orchestral touches, it is a consistent sound throughout the album, and is perfectly balanced for the music. “Walk on by” (apparently a cover?) is a stunner. 12 minutes fly by. The extended jam has some great interplay between all of the musicians. “Hyperbolicsyllabicssesquedalymistic” - what a mouthful. It’s a bit of a sonic shift when the track opens, but is still solid despite the silliness of the title. Toward the middle/end of the track, the band settles into another delightful extended jam that really brings it home in its final crescendos. “One Woman” slows things down for, at first, what seems like a heartfelt love song, but is actually about a man torn over his infidelity. I can’t really connect, but the music is sweet and the backing vocals are on point. “By the time I Get to Phoenix” let the man speak - he needs 8:45 to set up the song he wants to sing, which is going to be another 10 minutes of a fucking sick cover song. I get that it might be divisive or controversial to have such a long intro/setup, but overall the song comes together beautifully.

Only four songs and that first one is a trip.

Shaft - Noch Fragen? Coole Stimme, coole Mucke, klingt nicht so verstaubt wie so viele Singer/Songwriter aus der Zeit. Und beim letzten Titel hätten auch 8min gereicht.

We could use all sorts of adjectives to describe this work, but honestly, "Hot", "Buttered", and "Soul" are the most accurate. Isaac Hayes brings his absolute smoothest and hottest vocals to this monster of a soul record. There's only 4 tracks on the entire album, two per side, but man oh man, each one is a total journey. Hayes is unafraid and unbothered by the conventions of a radio-friendly song; he has a story to tell on each song, lyrics and instrumentals all included, and you're gonna sit there and ride with him. The last track takes over 8 minutes to get to the first sung lyric, and the slow build is simply incredible. Hayes utters or sings every word like it's worth gold, and the sparseness and spaced nature of the vocals make them so much more poignant and sensual. This record laughs in the face of quick and catchy pop; like a good lover, it takes it's sweet time. Stand out tracks include "Walk On By", "One Woman", and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix".

I feel bad giving this one a 3 but it didn't really connect with me. Isaac Hayes has a great voice with a lot emotion, and I thought the first song was really good. However, the other 3 songs just felt a little lacking specifically the instrumentations/arrangements. A lot of people are complaining about the length of the songs, but I felt they were fine. I think that the idea of this album or what this album represents is far greater than the actual songs on the album.

Gorgeous arrangements of two classic tracks in “Walk on By” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”. I especially enjoyed the long setup and slow build on the latter. The other two tracks I was more meh on, but nothing I disliked. 4/5.

Walk on By 4 Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic 3.5 One Woman 3.7 By the Time I Get Jimmy Webb to Phoenix 3.5 Score: 3.675

Great songs but the 9 min monologue for the last track was excessive. Otherwise was a fun album

No time to review, other than the album got worse for each track...

I didn't really care for this, but not because I thought it was bad; I thought there was some good stuff for the genre, I just don't care for this style of music that much. 2.5/5

Ridiculous track lengths

1. uualk on - 1.5 2. hyper - 1 3. one uuoman - 0 4. phoeniz - 0 5. uualk on by - 1.5 6. phoeniz - 0

Smooth

12 Minute long first song here I come... Good vibes but not entirely great until the end I'd say. But difficult to rate. A song like walk on by is just crazy. Especially when knowing it is from 1969.

Hot buttered soul

I dig the flutes

- Love "Walk On By" and Hayes's voice is indeed "Hot Buttered Soul" personified. - Why are all of these tracks so long? - Started to lose me with the rest of the album. Fun, but very prolonged.

Isaac Hayes is so under rated!

Walk On By and Other Woman are great, but the other tracks are far too long to warrant a higher rating.

This was a decent/fun listen. Also quite fascinating as he's a super interesting dude! Will hopefully check out more of his albums.

Nice stuff, though I can't imagine ever willingly listening to the full-length version of some of these songs again. At least there are shorter versions of them.

Ridiculous players on this album

Agradable.

Some great vocals and emotions on display. The extended versions could go on a bit long, but if you think of this as a concept album it all fits together very well.

2 bis 3

Ridiculous song length. Amazing voice, obviously, but the songs aren't that exciting.

Allt låter exakt likadant. Hade räckt med en låt. Det var ändå lite avslappnande. I alla fall om det hade varit lite mindre blåsinstrument och sånt. Kanske inte om man lyssnar aktivt, men okej att ha igång i bakgrunden. 2 /5

• 60% av omslaget är av en flint, blir hungrig av albumnamnet • 4 låtar på 45 min • Låg volym • Souligt • Mycket instrumentalt • Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic • Bakgrundsmusik mest Betyg: Inte så dåligt egentligen, men lyssnade knappt och det var långa låtar => 2/5

I love this album. Long, dramatic songs with a great groove and room to breath. This is innovative, progressive/psychedelic soul at its finest. Stellar instrumentals (tasty ass guitar licks, bass in the pocket with solid fills, strings and brass for added effect) and classic smooth delivery from Hayes. “Walk On By” is a phenomenal long journey (sampled in some great rap) that hits an exciting climax. The tempo picks up for “Hyperbolic…” but the tight groove sticks around. “One Woman” is the most classic sounding soul track, but a high quality one. The album ends with “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” which can only be described as epic, story telling in a song. Just a great album that rewards close listening. What other soul album could have 4 tracks take up 45 minutes and never get dull?

Not bad soul, but some tracks are a little long. I give this 3 stars.

At first I was bummed by the low track number on this album, then even more bummed when each song is 9-12 minutes. Isaac Hayes is great, dont get me wrong, but this was a slog to get through, no matter how sexy I felt.

Normally I really enjoy Isaac Hayes but this album was just boring. That cover of “By the time I get to Phoenix” was painful to sit through. If you’re only going to have 4 songs on your album at least make them interesting please

Delicious.

en stark trea. lite konstigt format med fyra långa låtar uppskattar jag inte. men generellt gött sound och rätt coolt att albumet är från 60-talet.

Det blir lite väl sliskigt och segt emellanåt men när det är bra är det riktigt bra.

So good. Groovin and movin baby

There were parts I really liked and parts that dragged a bit. Fantastic voice. 3.

I love his voice. Instrumentals are awesome. Songs are way too long- punk music has killed my ability to listen to a song longer than 5 minutes.

The arrangement was so familiar also like jazz each song is full of improvisation.

soulful

Suuuper long songs. Every instrument is speaking through. Feels just like the title; a warm roll of bread.

Fantastic. Really nice chill album

Not my cup of tea

Baerm, chica, chic; smooth as silk. Only knew of Issac because of Theme from Shaft, good to hear some of his other work. The setup for Phoenix is too long, other than that its all good (2.5*s)

Fuck yeah

incredible sound. great tracks!

Four tracks and most were covers. Good though.

Hey there children Hi Chef Couldn't quite get into it more than a few key moments in Walk On By and Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic

Смотря на лысую голову у меня не было особых надежд на этот альбом, честно говоря. Но! Первый же трек -- это что-то ОЧЕНЬ знакомое. Я, наверное, слышал его в каком-то фильме, или его сэмплировали для какого-нибудь рэпа. Очень чиллово. Один трек (из четырёх блин) не зашёл, потому что это рассказ под музыку, но мне не хотелось, честно сказать, его слушать. Но остальные были вполне приятными. Немножко не дожал

Got the point, why it‘s on the list - I think.. But it‘s not my style to dive deep into (yet?)

Only really knew "Shaft" and Chef from Issac Hayes, so this should be a good listen. 4 songs for 45 minutes is crazy. I do kind of wish I hadn't been aware of Chef on South Park before hearing this as that is a bit of a distraction. Even so, the 12 minute opening track is great, has a good groove and build up. The second track with its crazy name is keeps on with the grove, and then the last is more spoken than a song. Overall it's a cool album and kind of fun to have same song for the full length of my commute. Favorite track: "Walk on By" 3/5

I can see why he doesn't have very many hits but is sampled in so many. An extra star for his contribution to Mommy Daddy sheet monster time

Story teller

With 4 songs two near the 10 minute mark and one nearly 19 minutes I thought they might drag, the near 9 minute monologue on the last track was a bit unecessary, but the way that track builds to a crescendo, as well as the other tracks makes it a good album IMO.

I'm not a fan of 15 minute long songs. Had to turn it off on second listen through as I just got. So annoyed with it 😅

This was okay, but strictly as background music. No way I could pay attention to an 18 minute song!

I was today years old when I learned that the voice of Chef in South Park also sang Shaft. A mesmerizing voice in elaborate soul compositions. Everything works up until the way too long spoken introduction to 'BY the Time I Get To Phoenix'.

I now want a 20 minute version of “Chocolate Salty Balls”.

powerful album, felt like some of the sections are a bit overdrawn and self indulgent but man are there some awesome sections

Not exactly my style, a lot of syrupy sweet orchestration and era appropriate decadence that make it more of a relic than a great album.

Woah! This soul music really shocked me it was really good, and unexpected!

Not bad, Isaac, not bad.

I like the music I like his voice :)

Couldn’t totally get into it, but not repulsed by it.

Great!

3 stars Good band, a little too soulful. His singing gets in the way of the grooving. Solid album though.

A good listen, that's one hell of a monologue though

Wow this was such a dope first listen. Opening track blew me away and I rode that all the way through the record. Sounds like fucken prog Soul sometimes, I'll have to listen to it again soon to see if I still like it this much. Fav songs: - Walk on by - One Woman - By the time I get to phoenix

Really liked first song and the rest of the album was also fantastic.

Not bad, but….”By the Time I Get to Phoenix” was ridiculously too long. I would much rather have heard 3 or 4 songs in that time period than the boring story he told setting up the song.

Good soul music, but not too exciting in the end.

Just way too smooth for me. Hard to think of much to say about it really, other than that he's got a very nice voice and his band can play. They just do very little of interest with it.

Cool

Fantastic arrangements, a classic

This is awesome

4 songs, 45 mins, amazing beats, cool vocal some yapping at the start of 4th song but he’s just telling a story

it was okay i liked the firstsong a lot but six minutes into it i was ready foo move on to the next one. overall its a bop, but i dont nknow if i would go out of my way to listen to it again. im also so fucking drunk lmoooooooooo

Very good. 6.9. I enjoyed it a lot though it’s not my type of music. It was very soulful

I liked some of this and found some a bit odd. Gotta go with 3* since I wouldn't turn it off but I probably wouldn't seek it out.

Soulful, easy listening album. I'm not familiar with Hayes' work but I would say it is probably similar to his peers' work. Which isn't a bad thing but I was left wanting something to make me want to come back to this album.

For my sins I only discovered this about 5 years ago. It has immaculate production. It is close to God at times. Yeah, the spoken bit on side 2 goes on a bit too long but it IS a album of indulgence. Can only be a five...

Real good groove going on - timeless sound. Dragged on a bit for me with the spoken word, but when Isaac sings tis fantastic.

Nice horns, piano, and voice. The last song story telling could have been just a little shorter.

It was going to be a 4 until the last song. I had a more positive view of it because I played it without looking at how long the album was how many songs there were. The last song took forever to get to his point.

Eh. Didn't really love it. I mean I don't really care who the artist is (maybe with the exception of Eric Clapton or Hendrix) I don't want to listen to a song that's almost 20 minutes long, especially when half of it isn't even music it's just the artist telling a sad story about a broken relationship. Mr. Hayes has a nice voice and the first two songs were pretty good but I didn't love the second two on the album and the last one was about half the album's length so yeah. Not really my style, lyrically and in their subject matter the songs are very monochromatic.

enjoyed the music & his voice, but by the time he finished his monologue on By the Time I get to Phoenix, I had lost interest. knocked off some of his rating because of that.

Very good. Enjoyed thoroughly

Average Not for me