Shaft

Ho hum

Chef luritteli shäftiä. Ihan ookoo. Jeesustelut aina vähä nyrpistyttää. Mutta koska oli shäftiä niin kolme tähteä.

This album funks! Kovaa funkkia, sopi aurinkoiseen ja lämpöseen päivään oikein hienosti. Suht pitkä levy kylläkin, tarvii sitä elokuvassa musiikkia olla. Omaan makuun olis lyhkäsempiki voinu olla, pituus rupes vähän puuduttamaan.

First song highlight, from all the previous tv versions where it’s been used but other than that - not much

A nice album to listen to in the background.

Dude no way. Shaft??? Weird feelings here, great sound track but it definitely does against the heart of this project which is to hear purposeful albums and rate them. Great soundtrack do not get me wrong but it is not in the right discussion here.

Funky grooves

A jazzy, soulful, primarily instrumental soundtrack, at times tending to sound a bit cheesy and dated. The theme tune itself will always be very cool, however.

Fantastic. Enjoyed every minute.

I’m only talking about Shaft.

Soo good.

3/5

Not to sound stupid but this sounds like exactly what you would expect from an Isaac Hayes composed movie soundtrack. In other words, this sounds like Shaft soundtrack. Sexy, a little bit seedy but as smooth as Mr. Hayes himself. Makes me wanna watch Richard Roundtree beat the shit outta some honkys. 3

I haven't seen "Shaft" (the film), so I didn't get the full experience. The overall quality of "Shaft" is very high, with "Theme From Shaft" being a highlight. We don't get to hear much of Hayes' singing, as most of the album is instrumental. "Shaft" isn't as great as "Hot Buttered Soul", which is an all-time classic. This week seems to be a good one so far. 4 stars for "Shaft".

Classic funk

I loveeeee the melodies.... It's like late-night spring ambience

I will say, my advice is when you get this album make sure to put on headphones and go out in public. I listened to this while grocery shopping today, and it felt like I had my own theme music. I, for the first-time ever, was a bad mutha shut yo mouth.

Wife got you down? Boss makin' you angry? Kids yellin' at you? Well, fudge 'em. (Shut yo mouth!) …but I’m talking’ ‘bout Chef.

Gir meg ikke så mye, denne sjangeren.

Album #253 Isaac Hayes: Shaft South Park is one of my absolute favourite shows, and I’ve long heard tales that the man who voiced Chef was actually an incredible musician; yet for whatever reason I never got around to listening to Isaac Hayes work. Embarrassingly, I’ve actually never seen Shaft, though of course I’m aware of its significance in popular culture, and I’ve probably even ignorantly referenced it myself a few times; so maybe after correcting one wrong and finally listening to Isaac Hayes, I will too go and watch Shaft. As for the soundtrack, the title track is of course the stand out, and honestly the theme might be just as iconic as the movie, since even I recognized it immediately. Though this album is long and sprawling, it never grows dull, being comprised mostly of great soul/jazz instrumentals that help fill out a room nicely. My only major complaint would be that there aren’t enough tracks with Hayes vocals on them, since he has such an infectious personality and charisma; the few tracks in which he did make an appearance were definite standouts. A really solid and cool soundtrack, that has made me both more interested in Hayes and Shaft. Best Songs: Theme From Shaft, No Name Bar, Soulsville Worst Song: Bumpy’s Blues Score out of 10: 6.5

Shaft theme has always been a fun song. The rest is alright instrumental. Not sure the whole soundtrack needs recommended. Might have been more enjoyable to watch the movie then listen to whole soundtrack. Having never seen the movie, the music is just alright to me

Bueno

lowky cheeks 2 out of 10

Nice and smooth, easy listen.

3/5

Does the soundtrack to Shaft really need to be on this list? Maybe not. But it’s funky and fun and a lot better than a lot of other albums so why not

A movie soundtrack that was probably quite good for the movie, but didn't do much for a commuter stuck on the Met line for 2 hours

No es mi estilo

681/1001 2026.08.17 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

Its a solid funk soul album.

c'est du bon mais je l'ai plus écouté comme un album de fond, donc j'ai pas vraiment de son préféré

I’m into early 70s Isaac. He was, like some of his peers, really pushing things at the time. Showing that all types of black music could be music of the head, not just of the heart or the dance floor. I’m also into Blaxploitation soundtracks. I don’t exactly claim to have a broad selection of them, but I have enough to know how the art form developed. ‘Shaft’ the album was pioneering for sure and Hayes as a composer really proved himself and delivered exquisitely what was required for the movie. It is widely considered the blueprint for the glut of high profile (and lower profile) Blaxploitation albums that came in its wake. However, there should be mentioned here a rather important caveat. The blueprint comes from the attitude and supercool swagger of opener and all time wah-wah and hi-hat classic “Theme From Shaft”. On the original double vinyl album, Side 4’s closing “The End Theme” (reprising the opener) is preceded by an almost 20 minute version of his song “Do Your Thing” similar to the famously extensive tracks on his ‘Hot Buttered Soul’ album. However between the opener and side 4 the album is far more what one might expect from a traditional soundtrack. Compared to the edgy, gritty albums that ‘Shaft’ spawned (Eg. Curtis’ ‘Superbad’, JB’s ‘Black Caesar’, Marvin’s ‘Trouble Man’ and so on) three quarters of this album sounds almost quaint. It sounds like a criticism, but Isaac Hayes let loose with a budget, The Bar-Kays, The Isaac Hayes Movement, and The Memphis Strings & Horns and you know you are going to get quality. Being a full score though, it’s important to remember that John Shaft doesn’t spend the entire movie kicking ass on the streets of Harlem so while there are occasional tracks with drama to match the main theme, there is plenty of more subdued and relatively “sweet” moments. ‘Shaft’ is a groundbreaking piece of work but I think as an album it is not exactly what it is imagined to be. Hayes was already doing groundbreaking work before this soundtrack opportunity presented itself, and it may be fair to say that fans of the amazing “Theme From Shaft” could be better served by searching out some of his regular albums from the time.

6/10

Did not enjoy it.

Funky music. Quite enjoyable. Three stars.

So good! SHAFT! I'll say 4.5, but will round down because it wasn't on Spotify. Had to listen on YouTube, blech.

Cool

This is great - damnnnn right.

I love this style of music, but I unfortunately think that this was pretty weak. After getting 'Superfly' as my previous album from the generator, I was really looking forward to this, but it seems that Superfly was so strong that this just pales in comparison! They are both very funky Soul albums that serve as a soundtrack to iconic Blaxploitation movies, but I think that this album tries too hard compared to the beauty of Superfly. For example, 'Do Your Thing' is nearly 20 minutes, but I wouldn't say that anything too interesting happens after the first several minutes, it almost feels self-indulgent! I can appreciate some of the other soundtrack pieces, particularly 'Cafe Regio's', they were all pleasant with some interesting moments, but the absence of Hayes' vocals is quite disappointing. Conclusively, this album has some clear highlights, but feels unnecessarily long and has several moments throughout where uninteresting moments can drag.

Pretty groovy, I'll watch the movie but doesn't need a relisten.

One could argue that movie soundtracks shouldn't be included on this list, but I'd make an exception in this case given 1) how fuckin' buttery smooth and soulful it is, and 2) its historical significance being the first double album of original studio material released by an R&B artist. Will I ever watch the movie Shaft? Probably not. But this album groooooves.

This is fine. I am not going to complain about Isaac Hayes being on this list. I am into the jazziness of it all and Hayes voice. I think "Hot Buttered Soul" is much much better, but I can get into this even the 19 minute long song.

Dig it

Ugh, yea, not my thing at all. Probably good musicianship but I can get into it

This was a cool listen. I wonder did Hayes write all the music? Thought he was just like a Barry white singer. Not as funk as I thought. Some jazzy stuff. Exceeded expectations.

Great RnB jam sessions with a wonderful jazz influence. There's a reason this soundtrack is as famous as the film. Theme from Shaft

Hot butter was better

This is very good, a strong soundtrack that hold its own as an album. I don't see how it is as significant as some of the other reviews make it out to be, but it's very enjoyable even not knowing the context of the film. It does get a little less interesting and more soundtrack-y towards the middle, but that doesn't drag the album down too much. Favorite track: "Do Your Thing"

It's a sound track. With like 2 songs he sings in. Sound track is ok...ish his singing is Devine.

Just talkin’ bout Shaft (shut your mouth). That’s some funky sh¡t!! ⭐️🔥⭐️🔥⭐️🔥⭐️

Interesting

Ok That was interesting

Super dope but don't think I got the full album on Spotify. Shame

Super smooth. This was in regular rotation for me in college as a ‘working/reading/studying’ album. The vibe is just perfect for what it is.

Источник сэмплов для рэперов. Честно говоря, у них это лучше звучит

I adore Isaac Hayes, however, in detaching this record from his wider discography and it's accompanying film, it is a slightly poorer example of his powers. Movement or Moses would've been a better choice - despite the fact this is one of the best soundtracks of all time.

Some nice stuff in here. Nice with some funk for once. Didn't shake me to my core, however

3.9/5 - Pretty cool album! Left me hungry for a film to accompany it with, which I'm sure would elevate it even further.

didn’t have to be on this list

It’s ok

Really love this. Actually have for a long time. Not sure how soundtracks were vetted for the list. I know there’s some saltiness about the absence of Saturday Night Fever. But Shaft works for me as music. Plain and simple. 4 Boolean: True

Funky 70's tunes that just plod along nicely. But then "do your thing" comes on and it's just an absolute schooling of the great psychedelic 70's sound. Mine this song for samples. Also for my fellow countrymen: Wie gade belle om den beat wa te versnellen omdat de disk jockeys nie wille? Jeff!

Certainly not the worst album on here, but this is not doing anything for me. The couple of actual songs on here are good, but this really is an old school sound track comprised mostly of background vibes.

liked what was available on spooterfly 4

Great opening song... And then it's just a movie soundtrack. Soundtracks shouldn't be on this list - otherwise The Dark Knight would be on it too.

Grooooooovy! Leider fast keis Lied zum speichere uf Spotify, sust wäred da sicher e ghüüfti Hand voll Lieder neu i mini Playliste inegflatteret. THIS is sexy music! Let's sexy it up. Gäre vier Saxophon Solos vom Groovy Groovster

Some of the instrumental songs were a tad repetitive and I’m still not sold on soundtracks on the list but hey overall this was an incredibly fun album and ain’t that what it’s all about

Have you seen my balls, they' big and salty and brown...

It's a catchy theme song accompanying some funky tv music, but most of it needs the context which prevents it heing any more than pleasant.

Do we need this? Nice I guess but long

Theme from Shaft is worth the price of admission but the rest of the album just so of goes along without making much of an impression.

Jazzy soundtrack? Ok!

Vorige album van hem was een 5, dus dan zijn de verwachtingen hiervan hoog! Wel weer heerlijk fout dat dit album gewoon Shaft heet. Geen schaamte. Hoe doet deze man het? Hoe is elk nummer zo ongelooflijk funky? Hij zingt nauwelijks, het is grotendeels instrumentaal, en het klinkt gewoon nog steeds funky en nice. De aandacht verslapt niet omdat er continue iets nieuws gebeurt, daarnaast is het ook een soundtrack dus misschien is het logisch dat het grotendeels instrumentals zijn. Eerlijk? Album klonk erg lekker. Maar het is een soundtrack, dus ja... Het was ook gewoon een beetje achtergrondmuziek. Ik heb me geen seconde geirriteerd en de vocale nummers waren erg chill. Maar ik heb ook niet echt een moment iets gehad van Oh shit ik wil dit nummer vaker horen!! Nee, daarvoor was het toch beetje te veel op de achtergrond. Maar het was wel heerlijke achtergrondmuziek. Ik denk niet dat dit weer 5 sterren is, maar dit is wel zo'n album wat je echt perfect aan kan zetten bij een diner en wat iedereen gewoon lekker vibet. Early Sunday Morning vangt bijvoorbeeld wel echt perfect die lekker luie zondagen... Heerlijk album, wel beetje achtergrondmuziek, logisch, maar dus niet iets wat volledig je aandacht grijpt. Maar ik heb me absoluut wel eens meer verveeld dan met dit album. FAVO:Cafe Regio's, Early Sunday Morning, Bumpy's Blues

Sadly, underwhelmed by this one. Sure, it's classic-sounding '70s funk, but it's lacking somethink. A visual accompaniment perhaps. Listens too much like a film soundtrack, so doesn't stand as well on its own. Even the title theme (Best Original Song Oscar winner) takes waaaay too long to get going and have the vocals drop in. Just found myself bored with this mostly.

Shaft is an iconic soundtrack in movie history and being THE blaxploitation film. A badass like Shaft is gonna need a groovin', bitchin', hard as fucking nails soundtrack to back up his hero aura. I think Isaac Hayes meets the moment there.

He's Shaft!

Luistert lekker weg, maar wordt nergens écht boeiend

Het is geen Hot Buttered Soul of Black Moses maar dit is een vibeeeee. (waarom staat Black Moses niet op deze lijst ipv deze soundtrack?)

The Good: Blacksploition actresses with cleavage rulllllleeee!!!! The Bad: We only get to listen… not watch. The Ugly: A double fucking album… Damnit. That first song is won-der-ful!!! I mean, loved it with a capital L O V E Then the rest of the album just starts kicking you in the nuts… over and over again… Why did I have to listen to this double album? What makes this a must listen? I don’t get it… a I would give this a 1* but I am not a bastard… and I loved the opening, and closing track of this album… but I could have been spared all the other fucking songs… Also, why isn’t Saturday Night Live on this list? That is a 5* 2*

Soundtrack

Not completely convinced with film scores being on here but this is like a time capsule back to 1970s America!

Oh, this is the stuff. The Theme From Shaft was central to my life for years. I listened to this album constantly, I danced to the song at the clubs, I watched the movie over and over, I developed countless references and in-jokes about it among my friends. It's one of the great songs of the 20th century without a doubt. (The rest of the album, especially Do Your Thing, is also good! (But not Theme From Shaft good))

Total jam from my guy

Spotify has nuked most of the tracks on this album, sigh.

Not sure about soundtracks on this list. It's good music.

Хоть это и саундтрковый альбом, это классный саундтрек. Я понятия не имею что за фильм, но с таким фанко-соуловым звуком что бы там не происходило, это будет крутой фильм

I can dig it, very cool and smooth

Funky and cool. A fun listen in places and more like 70s background music in others. The album feels like a soundtrack (which it is) but a good one

Bleh. Maybe if I'd seen Shaft before I would care more but I haven't so I didn't. Soundtrack without context is not my cup of tea.

Is this essential? Doubtful. Am I complaining about more Isaac Hayes? No. Still love the music! Best Songs: Ellie's Love Theme, Cafe Regio's Worst Songs: Theme

Man, this one seemed destined to get a 3 from me. Funk. Movie soundtrack. Over an hour long. But then No Name Bar and Do Your Thing happened, and those songs just HIT. Really good stuff. I don't got too much else to say, it's just a damn good soundtrack. It vibes.

When I was a kid I had a tape with a bunch of movie/tv themes I recorded somehow. Bond, Mission impossible, the Pink Panther, Ghostbusters and the Shaft theme. Weird times. This album pretty much sucks though. Shut your mouth! (Talking bout Shaft, John Shaft)

3.4

Great workday morning music

Pleasant enough, more background music that something I'd listen to

“Who’s the black private dick who’s a sex machine to alllll the chicks?” Josh “Y’damned right” I thought we didn’t do soundtracks here.

The first track is an all time but the rest is just standard run of the mill 70’s soundtrack. Also John Shaft feels like a proper 70s porn name 🤣

Soundtrack album with soul music.

Shaft! "Can you dig it?" Yes, I can dig it. The opening Shaft Theme is iconic, so damn cool. The rest is not bad bad by any stretch bit it is ultimately a film soundtrack, and doesn't make all that much sense without the context. The sexy twanging guitars and brass do give it a cohesion though; you would know these tracks are on the same album. 3 stars

I need a term for albums like these. It’s like the cake from Matilda, where I’d love a single piece, but an entire album becomes too much. If I’d seen the film, it might resonate more as a standalone album. Standout track: Theme Rating: 2.5

Shaft. Damn right.

Nice to listen to at work, but nothing that I would listen to outside of work on my own.

Hell. Yeah. I wish he sang more. Prefer his other albums for this reason

SHAFT!!!!!........damn right!!!! pretty groovy album. i can see the scenes in my head to go along with the music. i enjoyed this one.

This was an interesting listen as it was pretty much one song, then background music after that. But I guess super well crafted and top quality background music. Very well written and performed instrumentals, very 70s.

I was familiar with the Theme from Shaft. So I was expecting similar songs. I was really pleasantly surprised. Like it very much

This album is one bad mutha…

One of the most important soul albums ever. But personally, just alright for me. Maybe I need to see the movie to really grasp it. Got killer songs but also some filler

They don't make em like they used to. I enjoy how weird this is.

Hyvä soundtrack blaxpoitation elokuvien aikakaudelta. Varmasti lähtisi vinyylinä himaan

He's one bad mother- Shut yo mouth! I'm just talkin' bout Shaft. I can dig it!

I’ll be honest all the songs kinda just blurred into one for me. Just kinda the same vibe all across. I was a fan of Theme From Shaft and even though it was 20 minutes long I quite liked Do Your Thing.

I liked no name bar, great album

Very good! amazing vibes

Amazing

Im aware that the soundtrack is "iconic" but have to agree it's only really the title track. Much preferred Hot Buttered Soul

Awesome, much better than I expected. Full of funk, jazz, jam band type of stuff.

It's a cool theme tune but I think everyone's heard it before. No need to hear it again!

Nice soundtrack! I'd heard bumpy's lament before but a different version (which i actually prefer) not a fan of so your thing, but can see that if it was in a film it would work really well My favs are, cafe reigos, theme from shaft, and end theme

Way more atmospheric than I expected

it's a soundtrack

I have not seen this movie, but judging by the selections on this album, I assume it's a soundtrack to the film in the truest sense of the word: Most of these songs were lacking vocals and probably played behind the scenes, with only a few tracks giving us the soulful vocals of Mr. Hayes. I really wanted to dig this, but unfortunately it didn't hit for me. The first half of the album was filled with uncomfortably short grooves that were really good, but always seemed to end right when it felt like they were getting somewhere. Then, on the other hand, did "Do Your Thing" really need to be 20 minutes long? I just would have been happy with ten actual songs with vocals, but maybe my vision of a soundtrack is skewed by what we were given as soundtracks in the 90s. Anyway, how's the movie? Is it any good?

Isaac Hayes the king of Soulsville really knew how to craft a tune. This was the soundtrack to Shaft a great Blaxploitation movie because every black hero needs a theme song. Shaft starts with the theme. It’s been heard probably by many or at least the shut your mouth part Ian justalking about Shaft. The rest is standard funky music you would expect from a movie about a black private dick. Is it groundbreaking no but is it great to listen to yes. It’s amazing to hear. It maybe drags in places but it’s not boring. I’m glad it’s on the list.

What a waste of time. This music was meant to accompany a visual: the movie. Without that, it’s just background noise, and not very interesting noise at that. If we’re doing movie soundtracks, there’s a whole lot that need to come before this one. ⭐️

No problem with the music, love me some early funk soul instrumentals, some Isaac H. It's sweeping, it's cool. They set their own rules for the list, broke it when they feel, personally no problem this as a soundtrack but then I would have had more on here if it was my list, but it ain't 4 Star

It's interesting most of the album is instrumental due to the fact that it is a soundtrack from a movie. However the soul and blues parts are quite nice and specially the last ones I enjoyed. 3,5/5.

I love Isaac Hayes, and this music would obviously be really great in a movie. But does it really stand up on its own as an essential album? Maybe not. Cool listen, though.

Surprisingly mixed on this. The theme song is an all-timer. The 20 minute song near the end was good enough to keep my attention all the way through. A few of the middle tracks slapped almost as hard as the theme song. The rest of it? Kind of standard sounding 70's era background movie music. Very light jazz, some breezy sounds. It was fine, but nothing to the level of the really great stuff. Probably a 3.5, but going to knock this one down to a 3 just because more of it didn't land than did.

Chillig. Ich bin dazu in den Tag gestartet und dafür war es ziemlich geeignet. Am besten gefallen haben mir die Tracks, die fast wie Big Band Kompositionen anmuten.

Can ya dig it? Epic and fun and makes you feel like you're in the movie. Nothing deeply profound about it but plenty of fun.

Really cool, soulful songs here. I agree with a lot of other reviewers that it’s tough to listen to a score without seeing the movie. Theme Shaft is a banger. Do Your Thing is great. In fact, I enjoyed everything with vocals; however, that was probably less than half the record.

I haven't seen this film, but there are a few tracks on here that were quite great. Favourite Track(s): Cafe Regio's Least Favourite Track(s): Be Yourself

I was just thinking the other day if there were going to be any soundtrack or theater albums on here. This was NOT the first one I thought of. The music is pretty groovy, and it was fine as background music, but I think that's part of the problem. It's soundtrack music, and as such can't be the complete focus of your attention. Also, if you're trying to represent the music people should listen to and understand, this seems like a wild choice for one of the five (a Beatles movie doesn't count) soundtrack albums to choose. Not a single movie or theater musical? Weird decision.

There's a reason you've almost certainly heard the title track - it's been synonymous with Black cool and sex appeal ever since it came out over fifty years ago. There's also a reason you're much less likely to have heard the rest of this - it's really intended to function as background music for the film, rather than as pop music per se. That said, there are several other high points, most notably the extended guitar workout on "Do Your Thing"; other highlights include the vibrant "Cafe Regio's," the punchy "Be Yourself," and the leisurely "A Friend's Place." The pace in general is languid in the first half but picks up on the album's second half, presumably to track the film's rising action. If you're doing Shaft things (pun intended) then this is definitely worth putting on.

Unlike "Hot Buttered Soul", which I rated five, this soundtrack album is left destitute of a distinct sound. It also needs more vocals so much but be barely get them. The fact that it is made for a film does not help much; the music is just backround meterial that fails to deliver much. Frankly, "Shaft" is quite weak and should not be on the list.

Very nice.

Title track is iconic.

I don’t think soundtracks to movies are the kind of music that belongs on this list. It’s just my opinion. Isaac Hayes is a legend. Hot Buttered Soul is in contention for a top ten spot for me from time to time. This is great music. For a movie. I would not choose to listen to it without the movie- that’s the point of the soundtrack. Still, it’s excellent and worth hearing. Call it 3 stars: 4 for the music, minus one for not supplying the movie to go with it. What can I say? I’m a tough audience. 3 stars

БЛИИИИНААААААА, НУ КАК ЖЕ ОН КРУУУУУУУТ Это же тот самый чел, который выглядел как гангста рэпер ещё до того как это понятие стало существовать. Shaft - культовый детектив блэксплотейшена с щикарным саундтреком, который после выхода повлиял на то, как в целом будут создаваться саундтреки к фильмам в дальнейшем. Всё звучит очень фанково, клёво, бэдэссно и всё такое, но я не совсем понимаю: разве ты не получишь ещё больше удовольствия, находясь в контексте? Не поймите меня неправильно, музыка качественная и клёвая, но всё же, зная фильм (УЧИТЫВАЯ ЧТО ЭТО САУНДТРЕК) мне кажется, слушать его зная и вспоминая фильм и зная весь контекст - намного приятнее и прикольнее. Это не тот случай когда ты вышел из пещеры, ничего не зная о мире и людях и тебе включили Abbey Road - ты стопроцентно кайфанешь. А тут?.. Вопрос дискуссионный. Мне в любом случае зашло. Do Your Thing - главная жемчужина альбома. Это такая разъёбная джемовая психоделическая штука. Ухх, как же шикарно звучит. Иронично, что этой версии песни в фильме то и нет.

nao sou o maior fã de albums instrumentais, mas esse tem uma vibezinha legal ate. so aquela faixa de 19 min que quebrou a brisa. nota 4/10

Put this on my ear buds after dropping my kid off at school and walked home with 100 times more swag than usual. Got home and switched to the vinyl copy I've owned for probably 30 years. I collect Blaxploitation soundtracks and this one was never a favourite of mine and I rarely listened to it. I think this is because when I was younger all I cared about were heavy funk tracks and this has a lot of slower, mellower songs on it. Overall it's really not that funky. Now that I'm older, I appreciate the slow jams a bit more but I still prefer soundtracks with a bit more funk like Superfly, Tough Guys and Together Brothers. I added No Name Bar and Do Your Thing to my 1001 playlist (I may remove the later eventually as it's 19 mins long!). I'm struggling with a rating, thinking a 3 based on the fact I probably won't listen to it in full again. But am I really going to give one of my favourite artist's most famous album the same stars as Anthrax? An album I barely liked at all. No I will not, 4 stars it is.

what shaft?

Denne plata får meg til å føle meg kulere enn det jeg er.

Litt snill firer for tidens tittellåt.

Kjedelig. Hadde kanskje hjulpet om man hadde sett Shaft?

Faen så funky. Umulig ikke å bli revet med av rytmene.

Only a few songs on Spotify, ok'ish

Apparently 70 minutes of Shaft's 100 minute runtime is scored. All of it completely necessary, I'm sure. But I don't know that any soundtrack needs to be a double album. I can't think of many others. Tommy and Quadrophenia, I suppose. Maybe Saturday Night Fever. However, those are mostly song based. The type of repeating instrumental music that makes up most of a film score and, therefore, makes up most of the Shaft OST is called incidental music for a reason. 1.5 It’s a very good main theme and it should be because that’s where all the effort went. The rest of the album sounds like it was thrown together in a couple of days. I’ve never seen the film but if Shaft didn’t go shopping in the mall, hang out in the elevator and host a game show then Isaac Hayes can surely feel that his music wasn’t given the dramatic setting it deserved. 1/5

3.5

Rating:★★★ Nice Funk. Liked the guitar solos, and the sax solos were great! The end of Cafe Regio's was probably my favorite solo. Do Your Thing is my favorite song, I'm a sucker for long drawn out solos and the entire song is just a big jam session. Not sure why the other songs didn't resonate with me the same.

ja shaft theme crazy guet hani scho viel ghört sege. aber nonie glost halt well es isch afoch instrumentale soul. aber das tönt krass guet alles. mega zruckhaltend.

DET ISCH ER NANIG CAILLOU GSI EIN STERN ABZUG die erste 3 songs hend mich nanig abgholt aber ich lieeeb s xylophon (???? ich glaub es isch schlussendlich eifach es e-piano) bi ellie's love theme I guess wenns café regio's heisst, hets lied sis ziel erreicht aber es töntmer würkli chli z fest nach kafimusig (und auchli nach hauptmenümusig vo irgeme wii sports resort ripoff) a friend's place isch e schöni abwechslig mit chli meh strings, I like it!! er het megaaa e schöni stimm! allgemein cool, mal chli gsang z ghöre vlt han ich mich wie draa gwöhnt aber finds unglaublich schön iwie? hett denkt, dass es mich iwie ahfangt nerve aber ich finds suuper ouh do your thing chönnt mini geduld ufd prob stelle hahaha joaaa die erst hälfti vom song isch eig reecht geil gsi mitem gitarresolo aber iwie ab de 10. min isch doch ener ahstrengend worde han villl meh spass gha als denkt, au wenns so es langs album isch

The theme song carries this score a long way as it was by far the most memorable aspect of the record. The opening riff could have been used as a motif throughout the album, and I would have enjoyed the record more. I would take a theme song repeat, because too many compositions were mundane. A few of the slower tracks had some somber appeal as I assume they came in the more contemplative moments of the film. No other track delivered the jolt of the theme song, which is odd considering it is an action film. Understand its iconic status, but seems entirely due to one tune.

I like Isaac Hayes, but I'm not a huge fan of this particular album. Feels like a hit and some filler. I realize its for the movie, but even then, the rest of the music is just ok.

This was unexpectedly pleasant for me most of the way through!

gut, i guess.. chill zum chillen. ptogressive soul is des genere und i weiß no nit genau obs so voll meins is aber is auf gar keinen fall schlecht und sogar sehr interessant zum anhören bzgl der instrumente und so.. 4/5?

Que Groove más suave, da mucho gusto este nivel de smoothness Sonidos bien precisos, intencionales en todo momento, metódico a entregar una pieza de mucha presencia y estilo en muchas de sus interpretaciones, combinado con otras canciones asociadas a momentos de incertidumbre o momentos bajos de algún personaje del largometraje Do Your Thing es simplemente la joya clave de este álbum, 20 minutos de sana diversión, cada instrumento tiene su momento de brillar y es que lo hacen muy bien Que gusto dió escuchar este álbum, joyaza! 3.4

Some instrumental tracks a bit questionable but on the whole, I loved the funky soulness of this album and would defo listen again.

Didn't really grab me, just nice funky background music.

Nice but didn't do much for me

It’s decent but I don’t think I’d return to it

No soundtracks on this list, sure. A good listen.

When Supafly is on this list, this one is a bit supafluous

Iconic soul soundtrack. Isaac Hayes is a national treasure. You can feel the scenes through the music.

Theme From Shaft - 4.5/5 Bumpy's Lament - 3.5/5 Walk From Regio's - 3.5/5 Ellie's Love Theme - 3.5/5 Shaft's Cab Ride - 3.5/5 Café Regio's - 4/5 Early Sunday Morning - 3.5/5 Be Yourself - 3.5/5 A Friend's Place - 3/5 Soulsville - 3.5/5 No Name Bar - 4/5 Bumpy's Blues - 3.5/5 Shaft Strikes Again - 3/5 Do Your Thing - 5/5 The End Theme - 4/5 So this is what the chef from South Park was up to before he got hired. An ultra-groovy and funkalicious soundtrack that rightfully got its contemporary praise. I think as just an album it suffers from not having a visual companion but it's still a good listen without the movie attached to it. Overall: 3.5/5 Favorites: Theme from Shaft, Do Your Thing

It's great for a soundtrack, but was a bit of a slog to sit through

I get that some of this functions better as an accompaniment to what's happening on screen, but it's Shaft and Isaac Hayes, so I can still dig it. And that theme is so undeniable, even the Oscar voters (a bunch of cats who usually will cop out) had to recognise it. Damn right.

It took me a long time to really appreciate Isaac Hayes. I didn’t realize until much later that he composed the soundtrack for *Shaft*—by then, I was already a fan of his music. I really like this album. It’s a shame he doesn’t sing much on it, because his voice is still amazing. 5/5

It is really hard to know how to review this. I have seen this movie and the soundtrack is great as part of the movie. When listening on its own, the record goes by quickly. A few songs catch your ear especially as it nears the end. Much like blaxploitation flicks, this music feels like a blackened orchestra in parts. I am not sure how well this would connect with African Americans. At least on the face, it seems to have something to offer. This seems to be the history of popular music. The music has to whitened and sterilized a bit before the next onslaught of rawer and more emotional. Frogs will leap out of a pot of water as it gets warm; it is humans that would probably boil alive. Regardless, the importance and influence rates this as a 3. I am not sure that I can go higher in terms of my overall enjoyment. Now, if we had made one album with music that wasn't intended to be incidental or maybe just shortening some of these cuts, then I could at least make it to a 4. However, it does deserve to be listened at least once.

Some grooves so smoothly to the point you forget you are listening to it. Theme from and soul city, with the singing, are best.

Super cool headline track. Great music, but mostly instrumental. How do we compare this?

it's a pretty good soundtrack, there's some solid playing (guitars in particular), but it very much feels like a soundtrack, and the requirements of being a soundtrack make it a much worse album than if it just had these ideas by themselves

Boring as hell

Fine background music but not interesting at all as a standalone listen Favourites: Theme From Shaft, Soulsville

2.8/5 need more listen theme is fire but rest is just soundtrack

Really enjoyed this one as background music

This is #day661 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to crossing out another artist from the list, as this is my second and final album by Isaac Hayes. I kind of don't mind this smooth, jazzy, and funky backdrop. I only wonder whether it really made sense to include a soundtrack on a list of albums you must hear before you die. A soundtrack to a movie I've never seen and probably never will. Hot Buttered Soul could have been left as the one essential entry. This is a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day662, aka the first day of summer 2026.

This very much sounds like a soundtrack, which is fine. However if we are allowing that, my daughter and I think we should add Encanto or K-Pop Demon Hunters?

Spotify only showed me a few songs - but they were good

Kinda dumb

Aside from the iconic main theme, I don't consider this an essential album, but as a fan of film scores, I do find it more enjoyable than the film itself. Hayes does a fine job of exploring the genres he is known for, funk, R&B, soul, but also explores bits of vibraphone jazz ("Ellie's Love Theme) that could have been subbed into a Neil Simon film adaptation, and even throws in a bit of bossa nova ("Cafe Reigo's").

That sounded exactly like what I expected it would sound like.

Funky sound. I remember enjoying the movie as well. Good album.

Yes!!! Crazy, I bought this on CD from a dollar bin when I first went to college. For a time it soundtracked EVERYTHING I did: study, clean, cook, drive, study. I found it pretty f*ing perfect for any activity, musically complex enough that I could always get sucked in and get lost in it, but not so sonically demanding that it couldn’t be put in the background if need be. It inspired me to buy Hot Buttered Soul and Marvin Guy’s What’s Going On. These were the first albums that I can honestly say I bought ENTIRELY of my own volition with no prompting from others. I sought them out and braved the too cool gate keeper at the record store. I knew I wanted them, regardless of the sideways glance he gave me. All because of Shaft that cat who’s a bad mother… oh yeah AND I watched the film. 5 Boolean Yes! Can you dig it?

soundtracks eh

This is a monumental masterwork of cinematic composition that completely shatters the boundaries of traditional rhythm and arrangement. Hayes constructs a breathtaking widescreen sonic universe, taking heavy, syncopated street grooves and layering them beneath massive, complex orchestral movements. The interlocking brass lines, the iconic scratching wah wah guitar work, and the sweeping, dramatic string sections show a level of compositional ambition that directly rivals the great rock suites of the 1970s. The way the rhythm section locks into an unbreakable, hypnotic pocket while the orchestration independently drives the narrative forward is staggering. It is an immersive, rhythmically flawless, and intellectually stimulating journey through pure audio grandeur.

I've never seen the movie, but this soundtrack is an absolute vibe. Surprisingly lyrical guitar playing, even though 90% of this album is instrumental I can definitely imagine what kind of lyrics might accompany the music. As a standalone Listening experience this was surprisingly immersive, would provide an awesome background to a late night drive, or perhaps a casual gaming session. Honestly pretty tight!

elevator music

Aw yeah. I always knew Isaac Hayes as a top-tier soul artist, but I didn't realize he was an establish composer too. This isn't mere movie soundtrack; it brings you back to a specific time and place, early 1970s NYC, especially Harlem. Out of the 15 tracks, 12 are instrumentals, and one of the three with lyrics has a 15-minute instrumental solo. You can also hear the early influences for disco that would come later. Can you dig it?

There's plenty of soul & groove to this record, and the instrumentals are as tight as you can get, making for a fun listen. It does feel like it's missing something though. I probably just don't like listening to movie soundtracks without the movie it was designed to accompany. There's a lot to like about the album but 70 minutes of soundtrack doesn't hit for me

Soulful, funky, kick ass grooves. Classic, ain't no doubt. Chef wouldn't disagree, and since we share the same surname I don't either!

487/1089 - 1001 Albums, No Compilations, No Soundtracks >Looks inside >Soundtrack (still pretty good though)

It did make me wanna watch Shaft

the theme is a 5

Nope. Didn't need to listen to this entire album of mostly instrumentals. I'm sure it's a important soundtrack historically but I don't think it's deserving of a place on the list. 2/5.

Great music, but I feel I couldn't properly appreciate it as its detached from the film. The score is there to aid the narrative and as someone who hasn't watched the film yet, I feel I didn't/couldn't fully appreciate it, but it was super cool as to be expected from Isaac Hayes

Very funky, have to be in a specific mood for something like this though

No está mal. Solo es instrumental, no tiene letras. De fondo, zafa bien, pero hay algunas canciones que no me gustaron nada

============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ------------------ISAAC HAYES----------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------SHAFT-------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------(1971)------------------- ============================================== ============================================== -----------------CALIFICACIÓN----------------- --------------------★★★⯨☆-------------------- ---------------------(3,4)-------------------- ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== 1. Theme From Shaft (★★★★☆) 2. Bumpy’s Lament (★★★☆☆) 3. Walk From Regio’s (★★★☆☆) 4. Ellie’s Love Theme (★★★☆☆) 5. Shaft’s Cab Ride (★★★★☆) 6. Café Regio’s (★★★☆☆) 7. Early Sunday Morning (★★★☆☆) 8. Be Yourself (★★★☆☆) 9. A Friend’s Place (★★★☆☆) 10. Soulsville (★★★★★) 11. No Name Bar (★★★⯨☆) 12. Bumpy’s Blues (★★⯨☆☆) 13. Shaft Strikes Again (★★⯨☆☆) 14. Do Your Thing (★★★★★) 15. The End Theme (★★★⯨☆) 4+3+3+3+4+3+3+3+3+5+3,5+2,5+2,5+5+3,5 ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== PUNTAJE TOTAL 4+3+3+3+4+3+3+3+3+5+3,5+2,5+2,5+5+3,5 = 51 ============================================== ============================================== PUNTAJE PROMEDIO 51 / 15 = 3,4 ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== CALIFICACIÓN FINAL ★★★⯨☆ (3,4) ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== ============================================== COMENTARIO -Una buena musicalización para una película... ============================================== ==============================================

Jesus

70's noir action movie background music. Oh, it actually is a movie soundtrack. Making this a 1 to protest its inclusion, or at least, the fact it was included but no Bill Conti Rocky soundtracks were also included.

why

It’s cool but I mean, not the biggest fan of movie soundtracks

This was like living in a sexy, funky elevator bookended by some very smooth songs

Meh

My type of stuff

Dreadful, to be honest. Absolutely aimless background smooth soul, which is either non-descript or annoying to the extent that I simultaneously don't really remember even listening to it and yet I'm still extremely irritated.

Very nice soundtrack, relaxing, good sound, good instrumentation

Outside of the first song, idk not in the mood today. Didnt hit me right.

A trip to the soulful 70s - with great grooves, horns, and the utter over-the-top absurdity of the title track. Good fun that suffers only from the fact that this was intended as a movie soundtrack, and some of the tunes drift a bit too much toward background music.

acabaram com esse álbum no spotify bicho, dá pra ouvir 4 músicas só esse cara tem uma voz foda, mas a repetitividade do que ele faz n ajuda que drumbeat irritante do que eu consegui ouvir, de vez em quando a instrumentalidade funciona, mas a voz n salva esse drumbeat irritante e essas letras não melódicas daria 2.5/5 / 5/10 vai 6 / 3 pq pra um som de fundo até vai, e a estética me agradou

Unfortunately I have heard Shaft too many times and its lost some of its majesty for me. The majority of the album is OST and as I only have a vague recollection of the film it felt very incidental. The latter tracks when Isaac sings do have some groove/ funk to them but I can only see Chef singing which does diminish them a little unfortunately.

Shaft I don’t remember this being so long, I don’t think I realised it was originally a double album when I had it on CD, and I only really remember a handful of songs. The theme from Shaft is of course one of them, and it is a fantastic piece of music, both as an introduction to the character in the film and as hugely influential wah-wah and string driven music, foreshadowing disco and laying the template for much of the 70s soul sound as well as Blaxploitation soundtracks. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the film, but the first half/record/disc/volume in particular very much sounds like a film score, rather than a coherent collection of songs. Musically it is often brilliant, rhythmically excellent and with some great motifs and themes - Shaft’s Cab Ride, early Sunday Morning and Be Yourself are great - but its so clearly written to match the visuals, and with so many sub two minute pieces it’s quite hard to get a handle on it. On the second volume the songs are longer and are able to stretch their wings, out bringing in more of the psychedelic-funk-soul sound of Hot Buttered Soul, and it's a more satisfying experience; Soulsville is excellent, No Name Bar has a great groove, and Bumpy’s Blues and Shaft Strikes Again have a nice, languid jazzy feel to them. And Do Your Thing is a superb 20 minute soul-funk-rock epic. There’s a lot of great music on here, and overall it's incredibly enjoyable and very easy on the ear, but it does feel slightly disconnected as a 70 minute listening experience. I think the highlights and the overall feel to it gets it to a 4. 🕵️🕵️🕵️🕵️ Playlist submission: Could be Do Your Thing but the title theme is a classic.

The rest of the album is surprisingly set apart from its title track, and not simply mining that (now classic) Blaxploitation theme of funk and wah guitar. In fact the album is barely that at all. The album moves through much more sedate and orchestrated tracks, 'Early Sunday Morning' almost veering into Bacharach territory. 'A Friend's Place' has a lovely chanson type ambience. 'No Name Bar' has a superb mix of flute, Hammond, brass and lightly funking guitar - these are surprisngly sophisticated arrangements. 'Soulsville' another standout, a classic feel and fully stands on its own as a piece of social commentary. After a while it has too much of the whiff of the incidental to sustain a self-contained album of well over an hour. It seems Isaac agreed to score every second of the movie. 'Shaft's Cab Ride', 'Cafe Regio's', 'Walk from Regio's', 'Shaft Gets Home and Takes a Shit after His Walk from Regio's', 'Shaft Finds Blood on the Paper after Having Earlier Eaten at Regio's'. And so on. Nonetheless, whilst it lacks some of the gravitas and glorious aura of Superfly, it has an almighty charm of its own. It's a fantastic album to have on in the background. For an album of over an hour, comprising mainly incidental music, awarding this a high-four is testament to Hayes' style and the skill on show.

Cada tontera que me mandan, me obliga a premiar este disco

het eerste nummer is natuurlijk tijdloos.. maar de rest valt wat plat op de rug zonder de beelden erbij

Meh. Was fine but I didn’t really care about it.

Works as a film score, but not good enough for a standalone album for me.

Sure, why not. Never going to listen to this again.

Een Hammond, een xylofoon-achtig iets, wat blazers, eventueel een klein strijkertje en Chef. Gooi het bij elkaar en je hebt een prima soulvolle soundtrack. En toch is het een beetje alsof je Bassie en Adriaan op de achtergrond hebt aanstaan terwijl je wat anders aan het doen bent. Ik mis met name bij de instrumentale nummers de beelden erbij. Wel geinig dus, maar ik zou me een jokkebrok voelen als ik meer dan 3 sterren zou geven.

Only knew title track but this was quality throughout. Good background

Some really glorious funk infused soul tracks on this album, particularly the opening track which is such a great introductory moment. It seamlessly satisfies isolated listening and listening in the context of the film. Overall it’s a solid soundtrack and very soulful.

Fuck yeah....5/5

Hard to argue with the vibes here. This is a genuine classic from its era. Personally it's not a 5 simply because it's not a genre I want to spend a lot of time with.

I remember seeing Isaac Hayes on the Grammys in the early 70s wearing his chain shirt singing the title song. My friends and I have been jokingly quoting the private dick lyrics ever since. The bulk of this album is background soundtrack soul music that is both engaging and at times a bit sleepy. But if you want music that’s representative Black culture of the early 70s, this is it.

“Oh weird like shaft of light?” “Oh no it’s THE Shaft soundtrack” “Holy shit” Wild that this had so much commercial success. Funky and sticky, but wish it was just a little nastier.

An iconic soundtrack that still vibes today.

3.5

As a whole, this album is really nothing more than funky soundtrack to a blaxploitation movie. Is fun but most of the material works better as score rather than as a listening experience. Notable exceptions are the main theme, of course, a blood pumping soul classic that remains iconic for a reason, and "Do Your Thing" which is quite frankly a downright funky Stax jam featuring the studio band, The Bar-Kay's (known for their hit "Soul Finger"). That's my kinda shit! Love it! Some notable bits "Café Regio's" has some great guitar work towards the end and I dig the feel of "No Name Bar". Also "Soulsville" is probably the least of the three vocal tracks on here, but still hits hard with the sociopolitical message. All in all too soundtracky, but with some stellar highlights. (6.8) ★★★

Some cool moments, but too much instrumentals. It is feeling to much like a film soundtrack, which it is. 2.5 stars

This is fine, but outside of being a score for the film, I'm not super into it as something I'd just listen to. The title theme is pretty iconic, but a lot of the other tracks just sound like standard 70s TV/film score stuff. I feel like I'm watching the Rockford Files or something. 2.5 stars.

3.5

I suppose the question here is whether to share or to shaft? The main theme is obviously top class and there are some snippets of real fire music on this although actually large swathes of this soundtrack double album is just weak mr men wallpaper. It does look like Robert Dimery has shafted us with this one and I would certainly would choose not to share this drib drab fest on 1001.

An enjoyable listen for the most part, but this is a movie soundtrack. Mostly instrumental. Funky. The songs aren’t pop songs per se, again they are movie soundtrack tracks. I wouldn’t seek it out again.

Bekannte Musik. Damals sehr suggestiv

Neat

Beaucoup (beaucoup) trop long

Hey Chef

Jazzy. Blacksploitation?

Enjoyed this but another album that's long and without the visual representation of the film against the music, I think a lot of the feeling is lost. It ends up seeming like an album in the background of a blues bar. Whilst not technically bad or anything I don't think I'd pick this up to listen to again.

I've said before that I'm not a fan of soundtracks, but of course there are exceptions. This is definitely one of them. The title track is pretty legendary, of course. The remainder is really interesting, even in the absence of the accompanying visuals, which has always been my issue with soundtracks. Amusingly, Hayes other masterpiece, Hot Buttered Soul, is a far more heavily orchestrated work. I mean, he stretched By The Time I Get to Phoenix out to nearly 20 minutes

Beautiful work

I agree with others that it is a strange inclusion in this list. I did however absolutely vibe with this record (the deluxe with all the instrumental tracks that is). Such a great atmosphere

Wahtastic!

Funky motha(shut yo mouth)!

Cultural importance of the title song: easy 5. Rest of the album. Still solid.

I'm surprised this guy could find enough movie soundtracks to say that there are any you need to listen to before you die, let alone two. I was thinking it'd be cool to see some TV show soundtracks on the list as well, but the only one I could think of that's "you need to hear before you die" levels of good is the soundtrack to Twin Peaks. Maybe throw in some video game soundtracks for the later verions of the list, I don't know. The album's fairly decent for background music, but trails off a lot towards the end. There were some pretty funky sax solos throughout, though. I feel like I'd probably like it more with the movie, but by itself it isn't bad.

this was pretty good

the 19 minute masterpiece Do Your Thing is enough to give this a 5 star review. The rest of the album is pure funky soul sweetness.

Hopefully the penny of profit from my hearing this isn't going to scientology. This theme is so iconic and goofy all at once. It is shorthand for an entire era of cinematic music and part of my favorite Xfiles episode. And it is only a few minutes of this whole soundtrack. That's sorta the tough thing with soundtracks: there are at least two more in this era and genre that i'd expect to be on this list, and both of them load up with stone cold bangers. With the exception of Soulsville, this is all soundtrack, all perfectly nice and of a piece and as good a representation of a moment in cinematic soundtracking as there is, but it rarely elevates from there. The highlight other than the classic theme is the extended vamp of Do Your Thing, which means if there's a record changer version of this with sides 1 and 4 on one platter, hey, serious bang for the buck. But as largely soundtrack divorced from its context, it's a 3* for me.

I love Isaac Hayes as a composer and songwriter.

The groove is solid and steady as they come. Jazzy. Soulsville indeed. Groove on, rap on, love on. You do yours, I'll do mine, and to a great guitar jam all day and all night long. Aren't sure of this? I'll repeat it. Tight.

Mmmm - Chef’s chocolate salty balls are tasty delights.

The title track is cool and so is that 29-minute jam near the end. the rest didn't do much for me.

It’s cool

Theme tune is a classic, the rest of the soundtrack ain't bad either but hardly the best way to spend 70 minutes, even if you are a fan. I'd rather watch the film.

Hard to judge on the four songs available

Some funky shit

Only a week ago I had Hayes's "Hot Buttered Soul" as my album of the day. And then a few days later we watched John Carpenter's "Escape from New York" which features Isaac Hayes as the character The Duke. I was obviously like "oh! It's the Hot Buttered Soul guy!" And my sister was like "wtf is Hot Buttered Soul?". So I was like "He also did the soundtrack to Shaft!" To which she responded "I've never seen Shaft". So I give up. Anyway, I didn't even know that this soundtrack was also on the list! It's an Isaac Hayes April I guess. I've also never seen Shaft but I'll probably add it to my watchlist because I bet it adds some important context to this music.

3+1 for meeting notability guidelines.

It's really fun funk. But it's mostly a one trick pony. If you remove the title track, there's no way this would get rated above a 3. It's a good exposure to funk, so I think it makes sense to be part of the 1001 book, but that doesn't mean it's an all-time great.

I did not enjoy this. I knew the theme from Shaft. The rest was mostly instrumental which I don’t like, and one song was 15 minutes long!! Ugh!

Very nice background grooves.

Just ok, not much more to say about it 5/10

En skiva full av klockrena samplingar. T ex SVT Sport signaturen. En stilbildande och viktig skiva för utveckling av svart musik och till slut Hiphop-genren. Men inte så lyssningsvärd. En trea.

The few songs with vocals are really good, the rest meanders between elevator music and decent instrumental soul or jazz. It's probably good as a soundtrack, but as an album on its own it's too long and uninteresting.

The list of "1001 Albums..." was compiled by blessed people; otherwise, I can't explain the logic behind the fact that it doesn't include EPs or greatest hits collections, but does include live albums and, wait for it, soundtracks. And while the Earth, Wind & Fire album I came across earlier, while technically a soundtrack, is perfectly listenable without the film, this double album by Isaac Hayes is just a complement to the events unfolding onscreen. Not only is the album long, it's also almost entirely instrumental. Vocals are found on only three songs, one of which is Hayes's signature twenty-minute psycho-soul jam. It's all a bit of a challenge, and I generally don't understand how people listen to instrumental film music without the film itself (or why Hans Zimmer sells out his concerts). It's not bad as a background, but as a position for such a list, it's a complete failure.

Great soundtrack, fantastic band, but goes on a little too long---especially the 19 minute song towards the end. But it's a hot, tasty relic of the early 70's soul sound.

Soulful, smooth as hell. I can dig it

Funky, but I agree with the reviews on this site that a soundtrack in the list is a bit a a stretch

2/10 I'm not totally averse to this list having soundtracks, but this is certainly not the kind of soundtrack that should be on it. Boring, boring, boring, not iconic (at least not 50 years later), and not interesting in the slightest. Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Romeo + Juliet, and Great Expectations would all be terrific soundtracks for this list. Shaft? Nah.

Album No. 0205 on my list. My second Isaac Hayes album already. I’m not at all familiar with the movie “Shaft” or the whole Blaxsploitation genre for that matter (should maybe close that gap in my education at some point). This is my second soundtrack album from that genre already, the first being “Superfly” by Curtis Mayfield. Anyway. “Shaft” is a soundtrack album, and one can clearly hear that. I like the album for its groovy sound that is somehow laid back and intense at the same time. However, in contrast to “Superfly” (may frame of reference here), most songs are instrumentals. Laid back, intense instrumentals, but still. My lowbrow ears hear little distinction between each of them, everything kinda blends into each other, which makes listening to this a bit boring, unfortunately. The songs with actual singing and lyrics are okay, though. I’ll hence add “Theme From Shaft”, and “Soulsville” to my playlist. 2/5 stars.

When Isaac is singing it's worth the time. Also, 'Do Your Thing' is an absolute jam and is a great long song in a world of terrible long songs. Give me more of that sweet voice and you've got a much higher score.

3.5/5 I love Ike, but to me this doesn't quite function as an album and the incidental music is interesting but not something I particularly want to return to.

Not my thing really. Jazz-like stuff is always a nice listen tho so can't complain

3 Stars (8/15)

Decent soundtrack, not so decent film.

Elevator Music. 3/5 Highlights: - Theme From Shaft - Shaft’s Cab Ride - No Name Bar

Even the most well-made movie soundtrack is still, ultimately, a movie soundtrack. There's not quite enough substance to elevate it to a five star rating for me... presumably the experience of watching the film is what provides that substance. (I watch maybe two or three movies a year, it's not my preferred form of entertainment.)

Brilliant album. Genre defining. The film alongside was a cultural phenomenon.

A little lackluster to be honest. The opening theme song is fantastic, the rest falls very short in comparison.

You need to see the movie to get the album.

Never heard anything from Isaac Hayes before so went into this completely blind. This album is mostly instrumental based and is pretty jazzy, smooth and soulful. I found a fair amount of tracks quite pleasant and relaxing, especially as background music. However, much of the record is pretty forgettable, especially with the album being a soundtrack. Personally I don’t really see myself coming back here although the album isn’t “bad” per se, just unmemorable and not my style. 2/5 since I can’t give a 2.5/5

Simplesmente perfeito, é a soundtrack mais detetive que eu já ouvi.

No lo entendí.

Isaac brings it!!!

What you say about Shaft? You’re damn right.

Incomplete version on my Spotify. What I heard was very enjoyable, contrary to some other film soundtracks on this list. 4/5

I've heard the title song since I was young. I was expecting more funky beats, not short symphonies of cool jazz. I like what I got, though. Especially the long song before last,as mix of rock, funk and jazz, in mixed perfection. 4/5

I really wanted to like this, but it just isn't thaz good. A lot of filler, and even the few songs that are famous (like Theme From Shaft) are more lilke soundbytes than songs.

Wasn't expecting this to be mostly instrumental. Some of it was good. Some of it made me felt like I was on an elevator. All respect to Shaft, though.

The Theme from Shaft is as incredible as it has always been. So funky. The rest of the album sounds like smooth jazz. Not so incredible. Nice background music though.

So good. Wish it were warmer out so I could listen to this with the windows open or driving around.

Nice and smooth, 6/10

Abseits des monotonen Titelthemas verliert sich der Soundtrack in langen, filmisch gedachten Passagen, die ohne visuelle Begleitung schnell an Zugkraft verlieren.

This is difficult one to rate. There's nothing bad about this album and it is historically significant. But it's really a movie score rather than a soundtrack. It's not just a collection of hit songs featured in a film. Without the context of the scenes in the film to support it, it's a bit awkward as a standalone album. But the title track is one bad mutha... shut yo mouth! 3/5

Misschien als ik de film had gezien had het hoger gescoord. Het lijkt mij een film die bekend staat om de uitstekende soundtrack en dat is het ook. Als album vind ik dat lastig te beoordelen. Het openingsnummer is heel erg leuk. Voor als isaac Hayes met zijn stem can you dig it zingt. Sommige nummers gebeurt er voor mijn gevoel te weinig omdat het meer voor de film is bedoeld dan voor de losse muziek. Wel echt hele goede muziek

Ja, soundtracks horen niet op die lijst. Je mist de magie van een album, het is een project, niet een album. Tis wel erg goed. Het heeft een bijzondere groove met een beetje funk met leuke arrangementen. Misschien omdat het voor film is zijn de nummers wat uitgerekt en heeft het niet een specifieke hook. Ik word er wel in meegesleept. Het leent zich beter voor in de huiskamer dan via een koptelefoon. Je moet er in bewegen in plaats van het direct tussen je oren te hebben.

Ik vond ‘ t eerste nummer erg leuk, het had wat weg van het Bipsman team song. De rest van het album is zo overduidelijk filmmuziek, wat oké is, maar wat toch wel een heel ander soort categorie is. Het voelt ondersteunend, maar zonder film voelt het als los zand. Ik kan me wel scènes indenken tijdens het luisteren, maar ik vind ‘ t toch lastig te beoordelen. Ik vind muziek van Lord of the Rings ook vet, maar ik zal ‘ t nooit opzetten.

3.5 Feeling generous today