A funky “guilty pleasure” vinyl release- soundtrack to Isaac Hayes’ Truck Turner…
Isaac Hayes – Truck Turner-Original Soundtrack – Stax/Enterprise Records/Concord/Varese Sarabande #VSD00848 – 1974 – 2 LP-Stereo – 180 gm translucent purple vinyl
For fans of soundtracks of “blaxploitation” films of the 1970s, there is one name who always comes up, as a master of the genre- Isaac Hayes. His soundtrack score to Shaft always comes up in the conversation. However, just in time for the upcoming Record Store Day (Black Friday-Nov. 29), the Reel Cult group, a division of Varese Sarabande, is releasing Issac Hayes’ Truck Turner soundtrack. The movie, released in 1974, fell out of the public’s radar, as it was put out as part of a double feature, accompanied by Pam Grier’s, Foxy Brown, that stole more of movie goers attention.
Now, a half century later, the release of Truck Turner gives its funky soul mix some love. It is being released in a limited edition, remastered by Jeff Powell of Take Out Vinyl. In a 2-LP tip on jacket, and on groovy translucent purple vinyl, it certainly is a guilty pleasure to savor.
Backed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and call and response background vocals from Hot Buttered Soul, Isaac Hayes’ talents are on full display. Issac also had the lead role in the movie, as a retired football player, turned bounty hunter, who gets mixed up in a pimp turf war, doing battle with the heavy, played by the great Yaphet Kotto.
This was the third and final soundtrack of Hayes’ film scores. Like Shaft and Tough Guys, Isaac is in full control of his domain. Johnny Allen contributed to the arrangements here, and the strings soar, the horns are utilized freely, as is the percussion ranging from hi-hat drums (similar to the Shaft score), to conga rhythms.
Seductive riffs abound on love themes such as “A House Full of Girls”, You’re in My Arms Again,” and “Give It to Me,” where Hayes “scores” in more than one way. “Now We’re Gone,” is a sweet ballad, while the main title track has a recurring theme, and call and response from the background singers from Hot Buttered Soul. Throughout the entire set there is lots of funky soul to relive some bygone days, and as the liner notes boast, “Can You Dig It? Yes, you can…”
Stroll all on down to your favorite record store on Black Friday to get a taste of Stax soul. But don’t take too much time, as the limited vinyl version of Truck Turner may have already taken off…
—Jeff Krow
Isaac Hayes – Truck Turner-Original Soundtrack
Tracklist:
Side 1: Main Title Truck Turner, House of Beauty, Blue’s Crib, Driving in the Sun
Side 2: Breakthrough, Now We’re One, The Duke, Dorinda’s Party
Side 3: Pursuit of the Pimpmobile, We Need Each Other, A House Full of Girls, Hospital Shootout
Side 4: You’re in My Arms, Give It to Me, Drinking, The Insurance Company, End Theme
