Monday's Long Song

 

The film Shaft was released in 1971 and for the first time the main character was a black private detective who behaved as naturally as his white colleagues: self-confident, not believing in any authority. The character and the film did the black community a lot of good and ensured that they were able to display a new self-confidence.

The soundtrack was provided by Isaak Hayes, who climbed to the top of the charts with the title song. An anticipated blueprint for the disco wave to come. But the accompanying double album has much more to offer. Perfectly arranged soul songs that seamlessly follow on from his classic Hot Buttered Soul.

Hayes has always been someone who could stretch his songs to almost 20 minutes without them being boring. Do Your Thing is one of them. It begins with a fantastic bass line, brass instruments are added and Hayes' baritone ennobles this soul piece. After about 10 minutes, the guitar and drums take over. The wah-wah guitar wails and the drums roll over and take the bass with them. This turns a soul song into an almost endless jam. Really hot and a masterpiece even after more than 50 years.

Isaak Hayes - Do Your Thing