Blacksploitation Soundtracks

SATCHMO · 01-05-2010, 04:06 AM

Zarko's thread on exploitation cinema got me thinking about all the great deep soul and funk music that came about in the 70's as a result of the African American contribution to the Exploitation genre of film, that is if it can truly be considered a genre. Aside from being highly entertaining, and by today's standards extremely politically incorrect, Blacksploitation films were responsible for a large part of the wealth of soul and funk music that came out of the 70's, and happens to be still some of the most sampled music, still, by hip-hop and electronica producers.

some of the better soundtracks IMO are:

Curtis Mayfield - Superfly
The be all end all classic. Truthfully I don't think Iv'e seen this movie from start to finish without getting too distracted at various points (As a movie, It really isn't all that great), but the music is just a prime example of a very cohesive soul concept album, as it does follow the plot themes pretty stringently.

Isaac Hayes - Shaft
I don't think there's anyone alive who hasn't heard Theme from Shaft . With orchestrated horns, sizzling high hats, and wah-wah guitars rampant This album really defined the move from conventional soul to what could only be described as "urban" music in the 70's. This soundtrack also won Hayes an academy award, and cemented solo career after his departure from Stax Records.

Willie Hutch - The Mack
Despite producing the soundtrack to the much better known film Foxy Brown, this slightly lesser known classic has a much more ambitious soundtrack. While still holding all of the 70's soul trappings of both Mayfield and Hayes' contributions, this soundtrack definitely introduce a much more diverse and scene appropriate ambiance to the mix. Both The Mack and the Foxy Brown soundtracks are superb and very highly recommended, but I think The Mack edges out the with its diversity.

I know there's a lot more out there, but these three stand out in my mind as perfect classics.

**Janszoon** · 01-05-2010, 06:30 AM

I've never seen The Mack or heard the soundtrack, but the other two are fantastic. Superfly especially.

SATCHMO · 01-05-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I've never seen The Mack or heard the soundtrack, but the other two are fantastic. Superfly especially.

The Mack is decent as a film. I think it's pretty fair to say, however, that all of the soundtracks are better than their respective films.

jackhammer · 01-05-2010, 01:19 PM

Same as Jansie, never seen The Mack. To be honest although I love down and Dirty 70's funk I don't own many soundtracks of the era.

Psy-Fi · 01-07-2010, 12:04 AM

Issac Hayes - Truck Turner

I think this one has been out of print for a while, but it's worth listening to if you can find it. The full version of "The pursuit of the pimpmobile", is my pick for the best track on the album.
Issac Hayes is also in the leading role in the movie. I'll bet this is one of several movies Quentin Tarantino wishes he could have made.

01-05-2010, 04:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,708	Blacksploitation Soundtracks Zarko's thread on exploitation cinema got me thinking about all the great deep soul and funk music that came about in the 70's as a result of the African American contribution to the Exploitation genre of film, that is if it can truly be considered a genre. Aside from being highly entertaining, and by today's standards extremely politically incorrect, Blacksploitation films were responsible for a large part of the wealth of soul and funk music that came out of the 70's, and happens to be still some of the most sampled music, still, by hip-hop and electronica producers. some of the better soundtracks IMO are: Curtis Mayfield - Superfly The be all end all classic. Truthfully I don't think Iv'e seen this movie from start to finish without getting too distracted at various points (As a movie, It really isn't all that great), but the music is just a prime example of a very cohesive soul concept album, as it does follow the plot themes pretty stringently. Isaac Hayes - Shaft I don't think there's anyone alive who hasn't heard Theme from Shaft . With orchestrated horns, sizzling high hats, and wah-wah guitars rampant This album really defined the move from conventional soul to what could only be described as "urban" music in the 70's. This soundtrack also won Hayes an academy award, and cemented solo career after his departure from Stax Records. Willie Hutch - The Mack Despite producing the soundtrack to the much better known film Foxy Brown, this slightly lesser known classic has a much more ambitious soundtrack. While still holding all of the 70's soul trappings of both Mayfield and Hayes' contributions, this soundtrack definitely introduce a much more diverse and scene appropriate ambiance to the mix. Both The Mack and the Foxy Brown soundtracks are superb and very highly recommended, but I think The Mack edges out the with its diversity. I know there's a lot more out there, but these three stand out in my mind as perfect classics.

01-05-2010, 06:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	I've never seen The Mack or heard the soundtrack, but the other two are fantastic. Superfly especially. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

01-05-2010, 01:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Same as Jansie, never seen The Mack. To be honest although I love down and Dirty 70's funk I don't own many soundtracks of the era. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

01-07-2010, 12:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
Psy-Fi Aficionado of Fine Filth Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: You don't want to look in there. Posts: 6,798	Issac Hayes - Truck Turner I think this one has been out of print for a while, but it's worth listening to if you can find it. The full version of "The pursuit of the pimpmobile", is my pick for the best track on the album. Issac Hayes is also in the leading role in the movie. I'll bet this is one of several movies Quentin Tarantino wishes he could have made.