Reviews (page 8 of 14)
This album is a soul exploration that covers social issues, love, infidelity etc. Isaac Hayes employs a style that is is part preaching, part storytelling, and part singing. He weaves his way through the four tracks acting both as a guide and the vessel through which the songs are received. This style lends a feeling of intimacy, and almost feels participatory.
I would've never guessed the album is from 1969. The music is very modern, with all the orchestral and guitar sounds put together as a whole. The music is very smooth and just feels good. It literally rises your vibes to the top. The instruments and vocals work very well with each other. It's very chill to listen to, no concerns here. When I think of soul music this is exactly what I envision. Favourite track: "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic", least favourite track: "One Woman"
I see why they call it soul. This shit is caressing my soul. Really smooth and I love basically all the instrumentation. I love the jamminess of it, the repetition really helps sell the groove and atmosphere. Isaac has a beautiful voice, last song shows off his emotive range quite strongly. Not crazy about the lyrics but they're pretty serviceable.
Ok let’s put aside the record for a second and talk about the titular character in the 19 min epic ‘By the time I get to Phoenix’… So the fellow thinks he can buy his way into a successful marriage - working double time, triple time… and then when it fails - he believes he can just keep doing the same thing and expect different results? I think he deserved all he got - he should first been more sensible and worked on his relationship and then when the mistake was apparent he should have learnt some form of lesson. Anyway the records smooth and lovely - Walk on by is a masterpiece and the rest of the record is true to its name - soulful buttery spread. However, while the monologue of ‘By the time..’ has a cool edge when narrated by Isaac Hayes - it’s not exactly going to hold up with repeated listens. Without it - it would have been a stellar record.
I really liked this - it appealed to my love of Barry White, very similar stuff. I thought it was cool and sexy and pleasing. Put me in a good mood and would listen again. Did not know about the South Park thing and Luke made me feel foolish about that....
Not bad at all, did enjoy it a lot but kind of a less good Barry White. Plus isn't he a scientologist?
Enjoyed this. Helped by the fact in my head it was just chef singing this in the canteen. Good soul music
soul
This one was so smooth, really enjoyable listen. Has a timeless feel but still transports me back to the 60s with that reverb on the guitars.
Walk on by is just beautiful. I really like the monologue on phoenix but it's too long. Overall just smooth as hell.
It was a really cool soulful album, i truly enjoyed it
Lansones!
I know I've heard Walk on By before, but I've never paid attention to that cool angular guitar before. The way each instrument plays a part here and there in the build, and they all come together in the climax is great. Hyperbolic etc is a great jam with multiple interesting solos, a good underlying groove, and a cool tempo and rise and fall. One Woman is cringe though. The soulful crooning about his complete lack of self control, and blaming someone else for it, in a tone that sounds like we should feel for him? Urgh. Is he playing a character or something? Maybe, but it seems too sincere to sell that idea. If it was just a verse I could handle it I guess, but that chorus repeats like six times. I can't. It's a skip. The rest is good fun though.
I was on the fence about this one, probably an easy 3 star, but the final track easily pushed it up to a 4. Amazing extended jam with a great opening story.
Sometimes good and sometimes insane.
Side one is the funkier side, while side two is the soul side. The funkier side is definitely the better one to relax and lounge to, but the album is good as a whole.
Extra point for the sheer audacity of a four song soul album, though in truth I felt like the schtick wore thin on the extra long final track.
Solid
This was a fun groovy album that was nice to listen to. The bass was fantastic and really drove the album. I however did not love the length of some of the songs, I just think anything over about 5-7 minutes has to do a lot to justify the length. I think "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" did justify the song length, but nothing justifies a song title that long. "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" was also another lowlight it was just so slow and I don't love the talking over the cymbal taps. The second half of the song goes back to the form of the rest of the album and is chill and groovy. I'm between a 3 and a 4 so I'm going to give it the bump up and will be more likely to give it another chance.
Really good funk. While I do think the first song was long as hell, everything was really well put together.
Long form, layered and impeccably produced.
Leuk, typische soulmuziek
Every single song on this album is long and I mean very long like so long that some prog albums don’t even have songs this length. But somehow every song entertains they’re all overblown in various aspects but none of them are necessarily bad. There is one outlier in the album though and that’s the closer which is a bit of a drag just being spoken word over tapping sounds ( pretty rubbish) but luckily that’s only for the first half of the song then it just explodes into the usual brilliant overblown sound. The production on this thing is brilliant for it’s time and could still stand well today even if it’s over 50 years old. This album is mind blowing for am initial listen ( and this music isn’t even the kinda thing I really like all too much). Actually the only negative is the final song to be honest and the cover art isn’t great admittedly 4/5.
I'm liking this *way* more than I thought I would. At this album's best moments, this is way groovier & layered than I expected. Don't like the slow songs as much maybe. One Woman was just ok. And the first 9 minutes "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" was mostly talking... but the last 9 minutes were phenomenal. Favorite tracks: "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" The last 40% of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" 4 out of 5?
This album could have come out yesterday. Sounds fresh and I love the variety of songs. 4/5
The 70s really did make banger after banger. I have been constantly surprised at how good some of these albums are.
Isaac Hayes takes the listener on a…well, soulful sonic journey through love and heartbreak. Finally granted creative control after a stunted debut, Hayes belts out jam session-ish versions of classics over a sweeping orchestra and his own pounding Hammond organ.
What a fantastic and fun album. It sounded super modern and I can't believe this from 1969. Almost a 5/5 out from for me except for the last song which just I found couldn't justify its long length.
So good, long grooves that never get boring. Perfect for an extended workout
I liked this album a lot, though it doesn't feel nearly as coherent nor as striking as the Shaft OST album. Setting that comparison aside, this is quality Isaac Hayes. His compositions are big, filling up the speakers with both electric and orchestral instruments. He brings the funk on this album too. It also feels more personal than the Shaft OST as well, it's much more about emotion and struggle. 4/5
First Time getting into soul and holy sh*t, it slaps!
Walk on By so good. The rest less good, with One Woman being better than the other two. 5 for Walk on By, 3 for the rest. Average, kinda = 4.
I’m pretty sure my parents used to listen to this album quite a bit when I was very young. A great album to wake up and listen to. There’s no one quite like Isaac Hayes. Sultry, smooth and grooving.
Powerful soul music. His version of Walk On By and By the Time I Get to Phoenix are both great, a little bit to long though. I enjoyed the 4 songs, great background music to listen while I work
Lush arrangements and rambling monologues, Hayes’ albums are always an event. Count ‘em - four tracks! Around 10 minutes each! Let them immerse you and go with the flow.
Some bona fide Jams. Especially when the string sections are woven into them. Amazing dynamics along the way within each of these 4 musical journeys. Love his long spoken word set up in "By The Time I Get To Arizona." Brave long form soul.
Nice & funky. Enjoyable listen!
A classic. Love this album
A classic I already loved
Track length and structure fascinating - Walk On By immediately added to Liked Songs
This album is actually epic, great vocals, wordplay, emotion, production, instrumentation, I'm reminded of bright eyes honestly, which I know came way later but I wonder if they were inspired by soul/r&b
highlights: - walk on by - one woman album's great liked: yea
Four long songs - the first two are fantastic, the latter two are nothing special. The spoken word segment from "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" was weird and straight-up not enjoyable (musically speaking). Minus 4 stars for being a Scientologist, plus 4 stars for being Chef from South Park.
really fucking good
UNEXPECTEDLY FIRE. This was my first album recommendation and I was hesitant to listen. I really enjoyed it. There were songs lasting 12-20 minutes, which felt like a newer and more abstract concept but I guess this was not made for the radio. Anyway. Loved it
Every day is improved by an eighteen minute Jimmy Webb cover.
Alleen de eerste 2 nummers kunnen draaien, maar dat klonk echt super! Je moet er wel een beetje voor in de stemming zijn.
High production quality! 4/5
Butter smooth soul
Fantastic album. The one thing this project has taught me is that I like soul way more than I thought I did.
I've heard this one recently and it is also a part of my vinyl collection. Chef from South Park knows how to make a fucking smooth ass record!
Grooves, soul, long-winded story about a guy leaving his wife that didn't seem to get anywhere, swelling strings, funky breaks, and more soul. What would happen if you showed up to record an album having thought it over only briefly but were so talented that it's an instant classic.
This was a great surprise. An album with a soul!
First time I have ever listened to it. Loved it. Would have been five stars if not for the twenty two minute intro on the last track.
Elska þessa rödd og rólega grúvið sem er í gangi þarna.
Damn, this is pretty cool, doesn't quite make a 5 for me but certainly won't mind it on a future rotation. Walk On By is just great.
This is pretty darn awesome! Comes reeeeeal close to getting a five, but "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" is a bit of a drag to get through. I'm usually pretty patient, but man, even I have limits. Fave track - "Hyperbolicsyllablecsesquedalymistic" Love it! Hell of a jam!
Already heard this one, it's damn good and very enjoyable. Definite highlight is 'Walk On By'. I procrastinated hearing this for far too long, and by the time I got round to it I deeply regretted it, as this album is a bonafide classic and I can't see why anyone would dislike it. Only gripe is the long intro that was spoken word on the last song, drags a bit and just wasn't as captivating as the other songs. Ah well though, it's still a decent track.
Real solid 70’s soul.
Didn't take the time to listen to it but I've heard it before... eeiiss gewd
Great jam filled soul here. Favourites: "Walk On By", "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic"
My man, love this
thought i couldn't get into soul because I never really listened to it but I really enjoyed this album! It's honestly something I would love to listen to more often.
Smooth as Butta!
That’s a stone cold groove but anything with 10 mins of chatting shit over a single bass note is always going to struggle to get full marks from me.
So good!
Definitely not what I expected, but I'm not disappointed. I think I'll have to give it more listens, but so far I like it.
Isaac and the Bar-Kays 60's Black Awareness soul here, with some excellent musicianship and Jazz like interpretations of classic pop songs Bacarach & Davids' "Walk On By" which is, I believe a definitive cover, and Jimmy Webbs' classic "By The Time I Get To Phoenix". The musicianship throughout this LP is outstanding with orchestrations, by Johnny Allen which are worthy of the best arrangers. You can here how influential this album was on soul music throughout the 70's and into later decades. A great album with just four tracks must be one for the record books is their an album, apart from Mike Oldfields' Tubular Bells, with fewer tracks? great influential album which I personally love and it is rightfully here.
Not the first soul album to come up, but this was one that, like a couple others that have come up, that actually make the genre click for me properly. Liked this one from the start.
Det här var bra.
Wavy as hell, the story telling is so awesome !
Only four tracks (plus some bonus material, including an odd interview, on Spotify), but all good. Not sure any of the songs really needed to be quite so long, but didn't mind it. "Walk on by" was virtually unrecognisable, and "by the time I get to phoenix" lasted about a week!
Amazing representation of an underrated genre.
Anything hot and buttered is a thing of beauty. The first ~10 minutes of Phoenix is a miss, but everything else is fire.
Enjoyed the first track a lot- great voice, and the instrumentals (especially the buildup at the end) were amazing as well. The tracks are quite long (except the third one, but that is still five minutes). The buildup is great in the last track as well- it started quite slow, but I really liked the ending.
Some hot buttered soul baby!
Great album.
Hyperbolicsyllablecsesquedalymistic absolutely slaps
Fav Song: Walk on By
Pleasant and original
Absolutamente climático, sexy, con la magia propia del soul bien lograda en canciones quilométricas que no hastían. Se archiva.
Good
Tracks longas, jazzy instrumental, gospel backing vocals.
“Now get the fudge out of my house”
Definitely a hot and buttered. A deliciously funky psychedelic soul. Issac Hayes, the one who made the famous "Shaft" soundtrack. But this is something else. It's much better than the mentioned album. I love the long and smooth instrumentals. The length and the psychedelic nature of this album feels a bit too much however. But who wouldn't love a big steamy buttery treat like this for breakfast?
Smooth as butter from everyones favourite Chef! The worst thing about this album is that there are only four songs on it. Knocked off a star for the 9 minute intro on 'By the time I get to Phoenix'.
I enjoyed this one a lot, was not expecting to. Also, SHOCKED that this is from 1969! Spotify said it was from 2016 and I was like yep that tracks, but I guess that was just a remaster or something? I could not believe this from the 60s, sounds so modern. Crazy.
I'd be happy if this album was a 45-minute version of "Walk on By". But even at 12 minutes, it's absolutely lush and a teasingly long version that takes all the best things about the song and combines it with all the best things about Mr Hayes.
Squam- Birk
Very cool and unique take on soul. I dig it
Some songs were a bit long but didn't take away from the album in any way, a great album for a period of relaxation
yes!
Hot Buttered is right ... "Say everybody have you seen my balls They're big and salty and brown..." https://youtu.be/sjrdanK4LSY?si=SxIw_sZJc_ntMfrK
Very enjoyable
Wow...Really nice Album. Nothing to add to that. (7/10) FT: Walk On By, By The Time I Get To Phoenix
2 classic covers
LOVE
This album is all about the bookends. Half way through Walk on By I was convinced that Isaac Hayes was a magician. Dionne Warwick sang this song beautifully and, I would think, sang it exactly how Burt Baccarat had intended. Along comes Issac who turns the song upside down and creates a 12 minute funkasized soul masterpiece. In the other bookend, By the time I get to Phoenix, he shows what a fabulous story teller he is as he spends over 8 minutes telling a story about what the song is about. The listener doesn't need any help understanding the song; the lyrics are plainspoken. The story is quite easy to listen to regardless. When the song starts he shows his excellent voice as he belts on this ballad. As an old white fart I naturally love Glen Campbell's 1967 cover of this song but I now like Issac's version more.
I'm normally not a fan of cover versions but when you breathe new life into them like Isaac Hayes does it's a different story. He showed good taste in the songs he selected. Walk on By and By the Time are nicely crafted tunes. The guitar and backing vocals in Walk On are rare groove staples and I even enjoyed the lengthy intro (about 9 Scum songs long) in By the Time. The late piano solo in Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic sounds like it could have influenced a lot of early house music 20 years later. One Woman isn’t as strong but those lyrics!
Methinks the 1,001 algorithms are have a bit of fun by giving me Napalm Death and Isaac Hayes back to back. But hey, variety is the spice of life and Hayes' Hot buttered soul album is one of my all-time favourite soul albums. Side A truly deserves the over-used and cliche'd adjective Epic. His cover of Burt Bacharach's Walk on by is a magnificent psychadelic trip and those string and vocal arrangements! As an aside, the Stranglers' cover of this same song is very different and equally good IMO as they give Bacharach's light pop song some real edge. Side B flails a bit, and gets a bit self-indulgent, so this baby gets a minor deduction and just misses perfection.
Strange scientologist releases the perfectly titled album. This is smooth and hot. Long strung out soul jams that make you want to bathe in coco butter. Just forget about the aliens. Best Tracks: Walk On By; Hyperbolicsyllablecsesquedalymistic
170324 16:03 4
Isaac before he went full-throated crazy. Amazing piece of work, his voice is like hot butter.
Amazing recognised so much of thos from the wu tang and various hip hop album. Weird sexy and differnt amazing music. Liked how the album had like 4 songs but each one lasted ages
What a voice!! I was familiar with the theme from shaft but have never listened to anything else Hayes has done. Smoother than a cashmere codpiece, I liked it a lot
Smooth and soulful, and a bit strange. Interesting to hear a Public Enemy sample. I enjoyed this a lot
Oh Chef, Chef, Chef. This is how you got that badass reputation, you smooth motherlover
Sooooo soulful ! The horns on the final track were amazing so 4*
Great stuff
Songs to live inside
It's like a massage for your inner ear
Never has an album been more appropriately titled. Maximalist to the point where the spoken word intro to By The Time I get To Phoenix lasts 8 minutes! Highly flavourful and dripping with soul.
Very cool, slick
Had heard a few tracks off this album in the past, but this was my first concentrated listen-through. This thing soars high in so many spots. The passion and intensity comes through, and the music is so strong. Although I do get they wanted a real orchestral sound to the album, just as personal preference I don't always want so much from the strings and horns. Isaac Hayes' talent comes through no matter what.
long songs
To jeden z tych albumow, ktorych nie slyszalem, a czuje sie jakbym go znal od poczatku do konca, a wszystko za sprawa murzynskich samplowan, wiec z dziwnym uczuciem deja vu, a efektu tego dopelnia sam pan Isaac, ktorego glos skads jakbym znal i okazalo sie, ze to przeciez szefu z south parka z pierwszych sezonow, to kolejne mile zaskoczenie, ale czym tak w ogole jest hot buttered soul, bo wiadomo, ze kopalnia dzwiekow z ktorej czerpali gleboko w latach 90, chocby biggie i pac, dj quik, czy public enemy, jak dla mnie ta plyta to jeden z najlepszych prob zbalansowania soula i funku na jednym krazku, stad tez pewnie nazwa progresywnego soula jako gatunku, ktory zawiera zaledwie 4 traki, ale dwa z nich to kompozycje na 12 i 19 minut, wiec ciezko bedzie z plejlistowym pickiem, 3 kawalki to covery, a raczej wlasne interpretacje istniejacych juz utworow, jedynie hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic, prawdziwie murzynski tytul jak na rok 69, wiec o ile pan Isaac nie jest autorem mocnych soulowych tekstow poruszajacych serca, tak jest kompozytorem brzmienia, ktore jest esensja czarnej muzyki funka, ktory porusza ducha, a nie jedynie cialo, sam hayes klika w kawisze na tym albumie, jesli chodzi o dodatkowe instrumenty, to jest on wspierany przez the bar kays, na walk on by wspierajaca gitarka, ktora jest w centrum uwagi zwlasza pod koniec traka jest harold beane, to wlasnie ten kawalek bedzie jednym z plejlistowych pickow, kolejnym natomiast ogrinalne kompo czyli hyperowy trak, nie moglem sie doszukac jaki cory czarnego plemienia wspieraly wokalnie hayesa na tym materiale, ale jest to jeden z lepszych chorkowan jakie ostatnio slyszalem na funkowych graniach
Strong 8 to a 9, such a nice album.
An interesting, very full-bodied interpretation of big band soul. I first thought this was a pretty modern, retro-styled album. It must have been way ahead of its time when it came out. Good album. But not one I'll actively listen to again.
SEX! also chef was a good character
Oh yeah, baby, uhh!
A combination of R&B and progressive rock. Walk on By is a journey. Loved it.
Fine album. Not my cup of tea musically but no denying the quality...and that voice...buttery smooth.
Groovin tunes, loved the backup singers and the hot buttery sound of the lead. Definitely would listen to again
Origin of so many samples and covers
Groovy
Different, but nice
Nice Soul Álbum but it didnt blow my head, its ok its prescence in this list
Solid. Kinda proto-funky.
Really good as smooth background soul music
Surprisingly chilled and groovy
Great stuff
So far i'm enjoying this album overall. the things that are throwing me off is how long the songs are, i know it was normal for the time but i'm definitely not used to the length of the track. the instrumentation is great, once i learn to dj/sample and whatnot i definitely see myself using sounds from this album. his voice is exactly the voice i like to listen to when it come to older music. I wouldn't say he's a baritone, but he has that nice deep sultry voice that i love 4 songs, 45mins? wow that's crazy! i'd definitely give it another listen. though i'd have to be reminded the album exist, i'd have a hard time remember for myself
Funky, buen blues.
i refreshed by accident and it ate my notes!!! :brofrustration:. anyway its good. groovy, soulful, hypnotic, great vocals and great rhythm section- love the soloing throughout - the guitar is tastefully thin for a sound thats getting panned all over the place. the best part is 9 minutes into by the time i got the pheonix when it goes from podcast w/ cymbols into an actual song. so good. simply good vibes i gave 8/10 (where do i put ratings?)
HBS, an important soul music album, perfectly matches my own preference for music. It's an album I would gladly play at home, however, I think I would tire of it too quickly. 4/5
Each of the extended songs take a while to get going, almost like Hayes is engaging in musical foreplay, but when the beat hits and the horns start a'blowing... swoooon.
Easy listening for me …. Seemed songs were stretched out… 46 minutes for 4 songs…..
Pretty fun. I see why he's legendary.
Good stuff, haven't listened to much soul before, I especially like the first two tracks: the cheating lyrics are a bit much. I recognise a snippet from a public enemy sample, and I'm pretty sure portishead/tricky use some samples of his too
Isaac Hayes is so smooth.
Ganska bra, väääldigt långa låtar så kommer liksom aldrig LYSSNA på dem, skulle gett 3,5 men får väl va generös.
Walk on bye
4.5/5, there's a vibe here that I haven't quite seen before. A timeless nostalgia. A warmth
I liked this. Some of the songs definitely overstay their welcome but they’re really good overall. 4+
4+ definitely. Good vibes, loved his voice. An 18 minute song is just a commitment.
4.5
opening tracks were so cool, will definitely revisit
Opening this up to listen and seeing four tracks was really exciting. If I'm remembering right, Isaac did the Shaft soundtrack and that same vibe is in this album, maybe just a little slower. There was a magic to these songs that makes them timeless both in length and memory. Consider my soul all buttered up.
Much to my neighbours joy and elation I sang along to this. I even did the brass sections and the sexy guitar flangin' bits. This album makes me feel like a straight up hottie. I don't want to give it my top score, because I'm saving that for when The Used 'In Love and Death' appears on this list.
Good songs but the last one is just kinda boring. Still groovy.
Very smooth soul, almost didn't realize it ended because it transitions so well with other music. Really good relaxing music.
slow, jazzy, and full of soul. I learned he is the voice of Chef on South Park and is a scientologist. he died in his sixties after a stroke. but these were the songs of a younger man, full of life and passion.
I can’t exactly explain why but I really enjoyed this album. The songs came to life and the emotion in it is genuine, and the musicianship found in the band were all great for me.
Soul. Bastante bueno!
awesome album, great beats
8.5
Soul but experimental.
This morning I started listening to Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes on my way into work. It's my first time with this album as I haven't listened to a lot of soul over my life. I remember a time when I couldn't stand the longer versions of popular songs. For example, growing up and listening to CCR - I would have to skip I Heard It Through the Grapevine because it was 11 minutes long. That felt like forever. I want a song full of hooks, easily accessible, and I want it fucking short like a normal song! Or the long version of Light my Fire by the Doors, that was also painful to sit through for me in years past. But age has mellowed me I guess. This album with it's four songs, it's long instrumental sections, and the honesty of the singing - wow. It feels expansive and epic, and also very intimate and personal at the same time. Taking it slow has never felt so right. This was a lovely thing to hear this morning.
Opening track got my day going but wasn't sold on the monologue on track 4
Neat
I do love his voice. And the music was enjoyable.
The title almost deserves 5 stars itself. This is baby makin music!
composed really well, love the instrumentals
Listened to this with my wife...spent the majority of the evening making intense, passionate love with her! Thanks Issac Hayes
Nice beats
Not my favorites but still an great album
Now we are talking. The bass lines on this album or so funky. Of course, so is Isaac himself.
Jazzy soul music, Nice chill vibes, would go well with a morning coffee or a glass of wine. Not hype music
Own on vinyl. Samples galore. Four tracks!
Although I think that the intros to "Walk On By" and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" set the tone quite nicely, they drag on a little too much in my opinion. Other than that, it's a fantastic soul record that'll most likely grow on me more as time goes by.
Absolutely flies by (after all, only four tracks!). It somehow feels both slight and like an absolute monster. I'll take my soul in this-sized chunks, thanks very much.
amazing legendary great spectacular one of a kind
Bra soulalbum men inte något jag skulle lyssna på igen tror jag.
I liked it. It managed to pull off really long songs while still keeping me interested.
started extremely strong
It’s so hard not to hear this as Chef from South Park The album started off really strong, wasn’t really sure how “Progressive Soul” was going to work but Walk On By did a great job of building up over its 10 minutes of runtime, and then the next track demonstrated a more tightly trimmed version of that same concept. Hayes’s voice is great, and conveys plenty of emotion I think this album goes downhill pretty quick though; forgettable at best for the last couple tracks, with By The Time I Get To Phoenix being a pretty boring slog with no actual singing or music over the first 5 minutes. It’s a decent story at least, but I disagree with the way he just explained it out loud rather than using his musical talents It’s a solid album, but definitely not close to the top of the genre and disappointing because this could be so much better if the first half’s quality persisted through the runtime
так и не проверила тот ли это Айзек, но приятный, хоть и мало материала и соул
Wow. Four tracks. Hot Buttered Soul is a great description of this album. I don't listen to much soul, but really enjoyed this album.
Better than I thought it was going to be until the last track. I could have done with maybe the first half of that going away
Would be a better album without By the Time I Get to Phoenix.
Great version of "Walk On By", the rest was just okay
Really good soul album with some great moments, but the long songs didn’t always hold me. I enjoyed it, just not enough to see myself replaying the whole album often. 6/10
3.5/5 Favorite Songs: Walk on By Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
Well, Walk on By is a hell of a way to start an album. It doesn’t quite match the intensity the rest of the way out. I could do without long spoken word sections, but otherwise a fun album.
Chef says smooooootttttthhhhh
Reminds me of Chef. So I guess, Chef is loosely based on Issac. The music was okay, great voice. To much chit chat in the final track, it totally wrecked the album. By 5 minutes into the talking, I was thinking 2/5. Great end, 3/5. Would've been a 4.5 without the talking.
chill but boreng
It was not half bad.
I’ll reassess at a later date but this one was fire
Production is great for 1969. Felt the closing track dragged a bit but the extended version of Walk On By is a highlight. A good listen
Chef the scientologist.. Sexy funky album though you have to admit.
Very cool listen
Cool
Песни не должны быть длиной 10-18 минут, это слишком. Девять минут разговора в последнем треке — что, почему, зачем… Несмотря на это, звучит альбом приятно
🧈🔥🪽😎🎵
Notable Textzeile: One woman's is making my home While the other woman's making me do wrong I didn't intend to let it get that strong Now I've got to decide where I belong Ich finde das beginnt musikalisch sehr einladend, energetisch und vielversprechend. Und dann wartet man darauf, dass der Gesang einsetzt und das Lied losgeht. Das dauert fast 2 Minuten. Geht aber immerhin schneller als bei dem unendlich langen Spoken Word Intro zu „By the time I get to Phoenix“.. Die Stimme ist stark, aber ich finde man hätte sich für interessantere Sachen einsetzten können. Außerdem sollte sich Isaac mal hinterfragen: Vielleicht hat deine Freundin dich ja so oft betrogen, weil du einfach so lange labberst und nicht zum Punkt kommst. Und weil du Overtime glorifizierst anstatt mal zu überlegen ob man nicht lieber Zeit miteinander verbringen sollte. Außerdem ist das ganz schön heuchlerisch wenn man sich den Song davor (s.o.) ansieht. Toller Soul, viel zu ausgewalzt.
Not bad.
Soulful and smooth, if not a bit self indulgent. Isaac’s voice really is like butter and I enjoyed the songs overall.
I will never listen to Isaac Hayes and not want him to be South Park’s Chef. All I can think of during every song is “Chocolate Salty Balls”. 😂. As for this album, it is chock full of funk and soul. Isaac is a bad mofo and it comes out through his music. This was a short yet enjoyable listen.
Hello Children! Lunch today is hot buttered soul. Ohhhh yaaaa These are some long ass songs. Each of the four songs had a distinct theme. All over the emotional map, but the music was smooth and funky throughout. Isaac's voice is great, medulla oblongata never sounded so sensual, but the album was a bit long winded. Each song was way too long and bordered on goofy. Overall a decent album, but a bit dessappointing. I was expecting better.
Featuring the best version of Walk On By (it’s had me in a chokehold since I first heard it 20 years ago). While a very pleasant morning listen, 4 tracks makes a great EP, not a 45 minute album. Don’t bore us, get to the chorus.
Album is undeniably cool, genre defining I’m sure. Generally liked it but not my typical style. Glad to get to know Issac Hayes music a little bit
This so overtly sexual, idk why I listened to it at work. It’s a nice progression and a bit of a journey- maybe not quite my style though.
Too much spoken word. Definitely prefer his Chocolate Salty Balls era instead.
Great until the last song dragged on forever. 4 stars until then, down to a 3
Three lovely stars - a great album. ‘Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic’ is a my favourite of the four songs. Tom.
Hører innflytelsen.
08/12 Not bad. RIP Chef
High 3! Enjoyed but I don’t think it’ll stick. I was overly excited for the last track but that did mean I got to listen to the final Injury Reserve album - which is a blessing in itself soooo
Walk on by - 3 Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic - 4 One woman - 3 By the time i get to phoenix - 3
Hot Buttered Head
The first time I've ever heard someone casually namedrop the medulla oblongata in a song. Insanely suave and timelessly cool, and the long tracks fly by – until the 8-minute monologue that grinds proceedings to a halt. I don't think anyone's quite smooth enough to get away with that. You'd think the 7-minute single edit would cut the monologue out, and you'd be dead wrong, which is hilarious.
This album was great but tbh the songs were just toooooo long! I would have preferred a full album of just normal length songs like One Woman. His voice is like velvet-this man could tell me my house had burnt to the ground with everything in it and I think I’d be okay with it
Ehhhh it's fine.
Not bad, almost sounds like a movie soundtrack.
Love a good soul album but the ends of songs trailing off into jam sessions lost me
Great album
Good groove, but low density and overdone attitude.
A good opening track that’s pretty well written and composed. The remainder to me is just more of a pleasant listening experience than anything else. I didn’t feel particularly moved in one way or another. I think 2 would be too harsh and without a 2.5 down the middle “it’s not bad” I’ll go with a 3. His story is quite interesting as well and never linked him to south park until I read it but the voice lived in my memories somewhere.
The album was a fun listen, but the long songs felt drawn our unnecessarily. And that's coming from the guy who likes 10 minute post-metal songs.
Soul so smooth you could skate on it. All right, so his cover of Phoenix perhaps didn't need the sermon about the power of love, but once the song proper starts it's properly fabulous. For once the single edit is an improvement. The other tracks stretch out luxuriously and are seduction on a stick. Gorgeous.
Don't get me wrong, Issac Hayes has a great voice. I bet he could sing the phone book and make it sound sexy. The trouble is on this album he pretty much does. A cover, a 19 minute mostly spoken track and 2 other original songs. Still very listenable but not great.
Fajne ale sytuacyjne
War jetzt nicht schlecht, muss ich aber auch nicht noch einmal hören.
Der Anfang ist richtig richtig richtig stark, das bekommt mich sofort und wäre das Album nur der erste Song wäre es eine 5. Die Mitte fällt dann leider etwas ab, aber immer noch wirklich stark, dann kommt der letzte Song und meine Güte passiert hier wenig und zieht sich das. Der zieht für mich leider das ganze Album runter.
only like 3 (very long) songs, jazz-rock vibe // highlighting walk on by
Rest in peace Mr Chef.
It just wasn’t quite the sauce I was looking for. I might give it another try later
Soothing, smooth, and Romantic in a tragic way
3.5
gorgeous
It was all smooth sailing until the 8 minute spoken word bit.
There are a number of excellent elements to this album. Isaac Hayes’s vocals are recognisably iconic, the arrangements featuring horns and strings are really quite special, and the production is sonically clear with everything in its right place in the mix. However, containing only four tracks - including two covers, albeit adventurous in their arrangements - the material is hampered by a lack of editing. A large dollop of self-indulgence means these tracks ultimately overstay their welcome, resulting in a three-star rating rather than something more effusive. Side One 1. 'Walk On By' – A highly adventurous arrangement, but the extended runtime causes the initial impact to wane. (3/5) 2. 'Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic' – Anchored by a strong, sharp groove that stands out as the most compelling rhythm on the record. (4/5) Side Two 1. 'One Woman' – A more conventional structure that showcases the quality of the instrumentation, though it remains a modest piece. (3/5) 2. 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix' – The lengthy spoken prologue severely tests the listener's patience, though the musical arrangement eventually provides some redemption. (3/5) Total - 13 Average - 3.3 382/1001 203/382 albums reviewed were new to me.
First of all, incredible title. Points for that. Second of all, what a voice. The only song I know from him is instrumental, so that was a pleasant surprise. Overall, I like it. I dig this type of music, of course. By the time I get to phoenix is a true ballad. I’ll say, I think the single edits included on this version are definitely a bit more digestible. By the same token, creating songs with such long run time takes a lot of knowledge and talent. I thought I was going to be a bit more wow-ed than I was, but that’s hard to do with a 4 song album — most have about four good songs and some fat. Doesn't take away from this being pretty damn good. Somewhere in the 3.5-4 bracket.
1. Amazing the instru 3.5 2. Funky, cute fun bass solo mais bon 2 3 incroyable le sang 4 c'est quoi cette intro stp mais ça me fait penser a bold as love de Hendrix donc sympa 2 En vrai grave cool mais bad long jpense je reecouterai mais j'installerai pas dans ma playlist
pretty chill and enjoyable, the talking part was a bit long though. first song reminded my of james bond and also rob dougan.
By The Time I Get To Phoenix. 3.5/5
Liked it. Except for “By the time I get to Phoenix” which was a bit of a drag.
5/10… soul / *1969
Four tracks, with the shortest one being over 5 minutes long and the longest over 18. This is classic Isaac Hayes - long, repetitive, groovy soul music with a tight rhythm section and soaring strings supporting that amazing voice. Long spoken-word sections over instrumental vamps make it feel more like a live album in places. It's lushly produced and well-performed, but just goes on too long to be a regular listen.
favs: walk on by hyperbolicsyllablicsesquedalymistic rating 2.5/5
LOVE to see a 45 minute album with 4 songs. All of these were pretty consistent with what I expected from Theme from Shaft generally in a good way - lots of instrumental build up and lots of repetition with an exciting ending. First half was really fun just good instrumentation with a fun groove and he’s got a great song. Second half really fell off a cliff. Usually he’s got a slow repetitive start but By the Time I Get to Phoenix was just unbearably boring for the first 10 minutes - boring low content story with literally one note repeated by both the keys and the bass could not stand it. The ending was very very good but I’d already quit the album in my heart by then.
Too long songs, but the music seemed good.
3/5
I like the first three songs but found his cover of Phoenix sounding like a grown-baby-man’s whining, he also does the same thing on One Woman but on that track it sounds somewhat sincere and fun. The groove was great throughout all songs.
Souligt!
A good time, but I don’t listen to a lot of funk on my own
interesting album. new genre for me i think. very calming and refreshing listen
sepsoso
Nice smooth listen from the chef from south park. Not sure about the last song at 18 minutes but the rest of it was solid. 7.5/10 Top song Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
La mitad amé, la otra mitad la quise quitar. ¿Eso es escuchar un album de Soul?
i didn't listen to the full thing but i respect the inclusion of a 12 minute interview. he has such a beautiful voice
Hard to turn down a loooooong Isaac track. Smooth as silk.
Cool sound.
Good first so g
The music isn’t bad but unnecessarily long tracks. Perfectly alright but could have been more here
Ik vind dit dus best wel fijne muziek om te luisteren, maar door die stem van Chef eronder, heb ik continu het idee dat hij zometeen "suck on my chocolate salty balls" gaat zingen. Waardoor het geheel een soort schijtlolligheid krijgt, die helemaal niet de bedoeling is. Van het schijtlollige gaan we naar het veel te zoetsappige. Ik luister dan niet echt naar de tekst, dus wie weet zit ik er helemaal naast, maar One Woman klinkt als een ode aan een vrouw. Goed, ik heb toch even de tekst opgezocht: hij eet blijkbaar van twee walletjes en weet niet welke vrouw hij moet kiezen. Dat geeft het dan toch weer veel meer lading zo'n nummer. Ik zou bijna zeggen dat ik vaker de tekst erbij moet pakken, maar daar kom ik nu wel heel erg laat mee, na bijna 1001 albums haha. Prima albumpje, maar ik ben het morgen weer vergeten. En we weten allemaal wat voor cijfer daarbij hoort ...
Only 4 songs available on Apple. I love soul music and this guys voice is fab but he has a knack of taking what should be a 3 minute song and turn it into a 12 minute song. Not sure I fully appreciate that.
Enjoyed this albjm
Great!
Smooth.
The first two tracks were magic, last two not so much. Let’s spilt the difference with a good ol’ three
I'm torn on this one... Isaac Hayes is certainly the GOAT of soul music, and the arrangements on this album are S-tier! The cover of "Walk On By" at the start was certainly interesting and he owned it, but being so familiar with the original version and the cover by The Stranglers, it felt jarring to get 12 minute lingering, weaving saga. And the lyrics for "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" are absolutely bonkers, but still fun and entertaining and set to a fun, funky groove. "One Woman" is a gorgeous song, even though it's about having an affair which makes the closing track a little ironic. "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" is a cover (and a great one at that) about a man that had been cheated on and is leaving his wife. I can do without the 8 minute diatribe before the song kicks in.
RIP Chef
Makes sense to be on the list. Too treacley and indulgent for me.
Super smooth
feels incredibly modern and great lyrics.
I am a big fan of soulful music, but this one was just a bit too much of the stereotypes often used with this music for me to enjoy it any more than I did. 3/5
Il bro ha cacciato un bell’album soul, che a tratti anticipa l’hip hop e il rap
Interesting. Not so much an album as a collection of 10 minute long stories. Enjoyable, but not my thing really. Still great to hear, music of that era takes me back to a time that I was too young to understand, but still a part of. 3
Cool sounds album, his voice is incredible. Could have done without the storytelling aspect of this album
1. I have never heard the 12-minute version of ‘Walk on By.’ I’ve always loved it but this extended OG version is supreme music. I worked a show dedicated to one of the writers of this song, Burt Bacharach and discovered that this guy wrote classic songs I LOVE. He don’t miss.
I had listened to this album a few times in the past. I originally discovered it while looking into some of the inspirations behind The Last Shadow Puppets. The album consists of only four songs. I really like the first two tracks, but I hardly care about the last one, which unfortunately makes up almost half of the runtime. Despite that, it remains a solid and soulful record with plenty of style. More than anything, it feels cinematic and layered. Unfortunately, that final track could have benefited from being split up or at least significantly abridged. My favorite songs are "Walk on By" and "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic".
Very cool we got to listen to a father and son back-to-back. Liked the son's more though. This was just okay for me.
While I can appreciate it, this wasn’t my cup of tea. It all sounded the same after a while.
It was okay. Pretty much exactly how I anticipated it would be.
By the time he got to Pheonix, she'd divorced him and married his cousin! Isaac Hayes takes the long way round and it's a bit boring at times but when he gets there it's worth it.
was okay, got boring after a while (not my style)
Good stuff. I'd really only known the Shaft soundtrack, but this is way less ironic. The earnestness of One Woman and Phoenix doesn't really land for me, but I like the soul psychedelia of the other two songs a lot.
Can definitely see why this is on the list. Very good album; hard to get over Chef singing though. I guess it shows my age.
A soulful and epic journey from Chef. Favorite track: Walk On By
een lied van 18 minuten is in 2026 toch wel diabolical ... maar dit s wel echt GROOOVYYY FUNKYYYY STYLEEE
Strong bit of soul first track carried the album
The monologue was not my fave. But his voice is smooth and funky. He was definitely ahead of his time. Just wish the album was longer.
Normally I'm down for 10+ minute songs, but a couple of these dragged on just a bit for me
great voice. a record id enjoy hearing at a record store, but probably not one that i would actively look for. 3.5
This album seemed a bit gratuitous for me. The first and last tracks could've been cut off SO much sooner than they were. Definitely not worthy of being 12 and 17 minutes. The second and third tracks, though, were EXCELLENT. They didn't seem dragged out for too long or cut off too short. I really do love the R&B/Soul meets Rock and Roll sound that Isaac Hayes has and his voice is beautiful, but I feel like those tracks could've been cut down to 7-10 minutes each.
Too much waiting for too little pay off. When the instrument sections of the first two tracks go off - especially "Hyperbolic..." - things get real - and real interesting. But even those tracks never quite reach the heights i hoped they would - they break down without truly breaking loose. By the Time I Get to Phoenix provides all the foreplay you could ask for without quite enough action. When it does eventually reach it's final altitude I'm all in but would have preferred to just hear that song.
Shaft soundtrack is what I've heard from him before so I knew what kind of vibe this album might have. And damn, it's really good! The last track was a bit boring to me but other than that it's a fantastic music 3/5
Great album and it definitely deserved a spot on the list unfortunately I don’t think I’d ever listen to it again
Mike- Josie- 6/10 nice vibe but songs too long
Haven't listened to many albums like this, but I enjoyed it.
Bueno, lo disfruté. Debo decir que lo tuve un poco de fondo. No es el tipo de disco que pondría salvo quizas para justamente algo que me pida tener música de fondo. Sería un 3.5 Queda guardado por lo pronto, creo que no va a durar mucho
eigentlich okay, aber dann doch super lame
It was pretty good but a lot of the songs ran REALLY long. At a soft 2:30 I wouldve said 4/5.
Quite good, but I wish it was a little funkier Fav track: Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
297/1089 the trumpet outro of By The Time is pretty great. This was a good soul album, i’ve heard soul that grabs me more but it was a good listen faves: Walk on by, Hyperbolic… 67/100
first song was mid big turnoff but I liked the 2nd track
I just don't get extending songs to twelve minutes and nineteen minutes long, come on.....the song reaches a point of ridiculousness for me when they are dragged on for so long. I actually like his voice. I like his singing, I just wish he would end the song. If I was attending one of his concerts, I would have left the building before this last song ended....
I wanted to like this more than I did, and it should fit sort of the Stax-centric 60s soul aesthetic that I love, but most of this just didn't super click for me. Track 2 is awesome though, super cool groove and bass line, but elsewhere it's just a little bit slow, plodding, and meandering. Track length is long, the extended instrumental sections don't quite hit. The last song is sort of a cool build by the end but takes a WHILE to get there. Filed under "just ok" as a whole.