Isaac Hayes – Tough Guys

By 1974, both "Isaac Hayes" and "Stax Records" was scrabbling to figure out what the next step was..."Al Bell" (who was in charge of "Stax" at the time), had TRUMPED UP Legal troubles, and it made it hard for the Record Company to do business...That also went for fellow Artists like, "The Dramatics", "The Staple Singers", "Johnnie Taylor" and "The Bar-kays", even though their albums were PRETTY GOOD!!!!!

Well, with that, "Al Bell" talked "Isaac Hayes" into doing the one thing that he was GREAT at...Another Movie Score!!!! But not just doing the Score, but Starring in the Movie as well...So striking a deal with "Paramount Pictures" they focus on just that....

That brings us to the Soundtrack, "Tough Guys" for the Movie, "Three Tough Guys"....The Movie would Star "Ike", along with "Lino Ventura" and the ONE and ONLY "Fred Williamson"...I never saw the Movie, but I have heard Tracks from the Soundtrack PLENTY of times!!!!

Bringing along his "Isaac Hayes Movement" and "Memphis Symphony Orchestra", honestly, there was nothing really groundbreaking here...But, because of those "Isaac Hayes Movement Arrangements", there was VERY NICE MOMENTS.....

The Crown Jewel, "The Tough Guys Theme", did have that Movie Theater feel to it...And of course having "Ike's" Vocals was VERY PARAMOUNT to the Theme...

Other notables on the Soundtrack was, "Randolph & Dearborn", "The Red Rooster", the SUPER FUNKY "Joe Bell", and the Swinging "Kidnapped"....

Now, MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE on here, "Run Fay Run", was an ABSOLUTE STANDOUT!!!!! Those Drums, Guitars, Horns and Strings just sends SHIVERS down my SPINE!!!! My only gripe is that it is WAY TOOOOO SHORT!!!!! Even if that is the case though, it is STILL an Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel!!!!!

I will also give a nod to "Buns O' Plenty"...Honestly though, it sounded like something that the Supergroup "War" was doing at the time...

I personally don't know how the Movie or the Soundtrack faired sells wise, I just know that it didn't help "Ike" or "Stax" get out of the HOLE they were in...I will say this though, throughout the years (starting in the '90's), this Soundtrack found some RESPECT (especially from "Hip-Hop" "DJ's")....

Be that as it may be, even though not "Ike's" most sought out Release, it's STILL worth a listen.....

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On my copy the title track A1 sounds very dull and muffled. Also the general mix leaves a lot to be desired.

This 1974 soundtrack sounds funky, mostly instrumental. It sounds like backing tracks in search of vocals, nothing that you need in your collection.

The Quadraphonic Monarch Pressing is the one to own. The SONIC pressings are full of defects and surface noise.

Great pressing, but not nearly as great as the original pressing. Doesn't go for too much, I'd say it's worth picking up over this one. I have both, I can confirm this VMP version has a tad bit harsher highs and not nearly as much low end or overall depth compared to the original Monarch Pressing. Extra booklet it comes with is a very nice addition

This is perfect. The sound is wonderful. Big sound, funky, vibin’, soul sippin’, so soothing you’ll feel like getting up while getting down! A great left field AAA hit out of the park for VMP. I know they’ve got their haters, but I have had nothing but positive come from my ing up with the club. I don’t feel one bit bad about giving them shitloads of money. The quality is there, I am broadening my musical scope, and records like this one make me feel good. Yeah I could stream them off of wherever and pump them through my stereo, and believe me, I do. There is something special about a nice slab of sound spinning on the turntable. Needle glide riding the groove. Love it!

This/ the Monarch Pressing is far superior in quality than the SONIC Records Pressing. Same thing on the Truck Turner Soundtrack. Only go for a Monarch Pressing. SONIC had poor quality control and the LP's were pressed with surface noise and usually warped/ bowled. Trust me on this as I have done my homework and been a fan/ collector of these two soundtracks since their initial releases in 1974.

A perfect pressing for me. Completely quiet, flat, and fantastic master. Couldn't ask for better.

This LP is not built for everybody but a great release by VMP. Also a lot of breakbeats that have been sampled throughout this score