Hot Buttered Soul

𝘏𝘰𝘵 𝘉𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘭 stands out through its luxurious instrumental arrangements and the unmistakable presence of Isaac Hayes’ voice. The extended orchestral passages and smooth grooves give the album a cinematic feel, and instead of rushing through songs, it lets them unfold slowly and confidently. Hayes’ vocals tie everything together — warm, commanding and full of personality — turning long tracks into immersive experiences rather than indulgences.

It isn’t flawless, but when the rich instrumentation and powerful voice lock in, the album reaches a unique emotional depth that few soul records attempt at this scale. Stylish, expressive and memorable.

Fair, but not my style. Lot of talking?

Wow, I expected to like this, but I never expected to like it as much as this. Of course I knew about Isaac Hayes from his profile in pop culture. So I was just expecting sexy slow jams. Instead I feel like this is reprogramming my priorities in life. The grooves are so great I don't know how to comment on them. The first and last songs (Walk On By, By The Time I Get to Phoenix) were already ones I enjoyed but also wondered if they contained something more... and here it is. No idea how I didn't know these versions existed. Anyway, because I'm just a white boy from Kansas I have no idea where it rates within its genre, but it's definitely a five for me.

Pretty good overall. Lots of talking though.

Couldn’t really get into it but it wasn’t awful!

DAMN! Chef sure can cook!

I prefered the first half of the album, but this was a really fine listen start to finish.

Good album if wildly indulgent in that way that r&b can get at it's extremities. I do like him and have been to see his stuff at Stax. When no one was around I touched his amazing car. I like his style and panache.

Another day another great album. This is a classic for good reason. Really influential but also just great fun to listen to. The 2 covers here are the clear highlight, although the other 2 are nice as well. The covers have been dissected, pulled apart and stretched to make side long epics. Isaac Hayes voice is utterly beautiful and the guitar playing with the swelling strings is epic as well. Great album.

An apt title. This is hot, smooth soul.
Perhaps, though, a few more concise tracks would a been a better choice than 4 bloaters?
Although the 18 minute ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’ is great the first time; once heard, the 8 minute single-note talky intro is surplus to requirements on subsequent listens. So whilst probably brilliant at a live show, on a studio album it’s a waste of vinyl.
My first listen took 45 minutes. Subsequent listens took less than 30 (plus the time taken to trim the fat).
The lean was lovely though.

Isaac Hayes has a great voice, the songs on "Hot Buttered Soul" are nicely arranged, I like the experimental approach with only four lengthy songs... But still, it somehow didn't really catch me. Solid easy listening stuff.

One of those exquisitely produced and made albums that just isn't really my thing. A perfect soul/R&B record.

But with the extreme song lengths (Average of 11 minutes, one of them is 19 minutes long!!!) and this just not really being my thing, just don't got a ton to say about it other than it's fantastic, just not for me.

meh. trying a little too hard.

What a wild ride. You are NOT ready for Isaac Hayes’ version of “By the Time I Got to Phoenix,” by Jimmy Webb (look him up - that dude could write some songs) and mostly remembered for the Glen Campbell version.

Isaac Hayes has a fantastic voice and the soul on this slab-o-wax is heavily buttered, baby!

So....this album is for fucking, right? Like this album is specifically made to be fucked to, right?

Et mesterverk. Hot buttered soul er en basisvare jeg alltid har tilgjengelig, og hvis jeg ikke vet hva jeg skal høre på så kan jeg alltid ta fram denne plata

I’m at a 10.

Sometimes, I write that “words fail me” and then somehow manage to write 500+ words complimenting an album to high heaven and back. In this case, they are failing me, fully & totally. I can’t properly think straight after feeling “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” at a visceral level, and therefore I can’t truly write anything further. All I can say is, off of a first listen alone, this is indeed the “landmark recording in soul music” that Wikipedia cites it to be. It feels as tall as the Eiffel Tower & as masterfully crafted as the Great Pyramids – “landmark” is not hyperbole here, and I can only recommend listening to it, with headphones in & with full, undivided attention.

A top to bottom hot buttered stunner, simple as that. 10. I need to listen to more Isaac Hayes.

Flawless.

I made the stank face multiple times. It’s just so cool. The orchestration is fantastic.

Too short … but also too long 🤷‍♀️

sample for DJ Quik's Born and Raised in Compton at song two