Isaac Hayes: Presenting Isaac Hayes - 1968

 

This was Isaac Hayes' first album and was recorded, apparently, to appease the head of Stax Records. Hayes had previously been a major songwriter for the label. 

I am not sure why he was put under pressure to record the album, but he was, and, together with three members of Booker T. & The MGs, they cobbled together an album. In doing so, Hayes almost inadvertently developed the style of recording extended, slow soul versions of existing songs, upon which he would base his solo career over the next ten years or so. It was a five track album, again something that would become the norm for Hayes. Stylistically, though, this was very much a jazz album, as opposed to a soul one. Jazz piano is the dominant sound. 

Precious, Precious was initially recorded as a nineteen-minute piano-driven jazzy jam and was dramatically edited down to two minutes forty-two seconds for the album. It is basically some jazzy piano lines and some grunting, groaning vocal improvisations from Hayes. He sounds a bit like one of the Muppets. To be honest, it is one of the least impressive cuts he ever recorded. 

Up next is a dead slow, late night version of Nat King Cole's When I Fall In Love. Hayes' voice really hasn't developed well at this point. It is nowhere near the soulful weapon it was two or three years later. In fact on this track it is decidedly unimpressive. Isaac is certainly no Nat King Cole on this one. 

Now we get three lengthy numbers. Medley: I Just Want To Make Love To You/Rock Me Baby is done in a laid-back jazzy style. As opposed to Hayes' subsequent extended grooves, which were orchestrated soul with funky influences, this is very jazzy. I have to say, though, that the vocal is often a bit slurred, and it sounds a bit as if Isaac has been on the Bourbon and is doing it as a big mickey-take. The story is that Hayes and the band were considerably "under the influence" after a party when they recorded this. That does not surprise me. Maybe some would disagree and claim it as a piece of classic soul improvisation. I can certainly say that for any of Hayes' following albums, but, unfortunately not for this one. The speeded-up bit at the end, though, is an improvement. 

Going To Chicago/Misty is musically excellent, but once more the slurred vocals lets it down. Every now and again Hayes hits a good vocal line, but then the quality dips again. He attempts to "rap" in the way he would develop in his later albums, but it doesn't quite work. The bass and piano interplay on this is sublime, however. You Don't Know Like I Know is a jaunty piece of piano jazz that is a pleasant listen (probably because there are no vocals). 

Sorry Isaac, you were great on all the albums that came along after 1969's iconic Hot Buttered Soul, but this one just doesn't do it for me. As I said before, though, musically, it is very impressive. Actually, a couple of listens in and it starts to grow on you, but it clearly is an inferior piece of work to all his later, superb offerings.