Truck Turner

Three Tough Guys

Music by Isaac Hayes

 

 

 

 

What Isaac Hayes could have done after recording Shaft, an exemplary, historic, classic soundtrack that became an historical reference? Simple. Would have to overcome it. Well, if that was the way, Hayes gone on it with Tough Guys (1973) and Truck Turner (1974). Two blaxploitation adventures above average and with the composer as the lead actor! Tough Guys follows the tested and approved instrumental soul line that was so effective in Shaft. The main theme with insistent cymbals is an obvious consequence of Shaft theme, but with a sound result even more intense. On the following themes, Hayes adds a visible intention to jazz as the saxophone of Randolph & Dearborn and explores instrumental fluency in remarkable arrangements as in the swing of Joe Bell and Hung Up On My Baby.

Surprisingly, the composer would go further with the music for Truck Turner! With a vigorous opening theme, the soundtrack stands out with rich instrumentals as Blue's Crib, the swinged Breakthrough and Pursuit of the Pimpmobile, this latter (9 minutes) an exemplary action suite and certainly one of the best compositions of Hayes in his soul idiom worked as a symphonic suite. Jazz influence is also visible in pianos and saxophones of Now We're One. Could not be missed the ballads that only Isaac Hayes knew how to do as We Need Each Other Girl and You're in My Arms Again. Not forgetting the historical importance of Shaft, the soundtrack for Truck Turner can easily be highlighted as one of the best moments of the composer.