Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Isaac Hayes passed 16 years ago but his legacy as a soul music icon endures and likely always will. Known for his groundbreaking work with Stax's Enterprise label, Hayes set the standard for what became known as "symphonic soul" by crafting albums that remain as powerful as when first released. Alongside his LPs, Hayes also achieved massive success with singles and had 16 consecutive hits on the r&b chart from 1969 to 1976, many of which crossed into pop. Hot Buttered Singles is the first collection to feature every A and B-side of his 'Yellow Stax'-era singles in their original versions and they all sound superb.

Review: Isaac Hayes, one of soul music's most iconic and influential figures, is celebrated in Hot Buttered Singles, a collection that captures his enduring impact as a singer, songwriter, and arranger. Known for his groundbreaking contributions to Stax Records' Enterprise label, Hayes pioneered the genre of "symphonic soul," blending lush orchestrations with the raw emotion of soul music. His albums remain masterpieces, sounding as great today as they did upon release. While Hayes is renowned for his albums, he also enjoyed immense success on the singles charts, with 16 consecutive r&b hits between 1969 and 1976, many of which also crossed over into pop. Hot Buttered Singles is the first collection to present all his Stax-era 45s in their original versions, including A and B sides in chronological order. Disc one features classics like 'Walk on By' and 'I Stand Accused', while disc two includes hits such as 'Theme from Shaft', 'Never Can Say Goodbye' and 'Let's Stay Together'. This collection is an ideal way to experience Hayes' music as it was originally heard on radio, preserving the legacy of one of soul music's true legends in a fresh, definitive way.