I remember groovin to this album back in 1996 and it was in my funk/soul discovery phase of my listening palette that included Curtis Mayfield, Parliament/Funkadelic, Sly & the Family Stone, Al Green and James Brown. This pivotal album is a classic and although there's only 4 numbers that make up this recording, its a delectable slice of funk and soul and the songs contained herein, reflect the talent and gift Issac possessed as a writer, arranger, singer and musician. Backed by the Bar Kays, whom were a trio of musicians that included drummer Willie Hall, bassist James Alexander and guitarist Michael Toles, they were originally the house band at Stax records and were chosen to be Otis Redding's touring band. Unfortunately, most of the original members perished in the plane crash that killed Redding en route to a show in Madison, WI. Surviving members, Ben Cauley(trumpet) and James Alexander(bass) rebuilt the group shortly after and this record reflects the rebirth of a great soul band.

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Even though the record only offers 4 songs and of the 4, only one is an original composition; the production, recording and arrangements were of the highest caliber and not only did this record establish Hayes' artistry, it also put him into the limelight as a solo performer. Opening with a Burt Bacharach number, "Walk on By" is lavishly adorned with a full string and horn section as well as backing singers and the aforementioned, inimitable talents of the Bar Kays; the performance lasts a full 12 minutes leading into the funkiest number on the record, "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" which features a great wah-wah guitar melody accompaniment in tandem with Hayes' piano leading and the dynamite rhythm section of James Alexander and Willie Hall. "One Woman" is the shortest track featured and is a beautiful soul styled ballad and lament over the choices a man must make from the love of one woman versus another. Ending the record is an epic interpretation of the Jimmy Webb country song, "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", which to me, is the apex and triumph of this recording. Hayes adopts a story-line spoken about the powers of love and the grip it has within a man's soul within the first 8 minutes of the tune, and once again, strings and horns are arranged perfectly to accentuate the mood and feel of this thoroughly classic interpretation of an iconic composition. 

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For all of Hayes' outputs that would continue forth, Hot Buttered Soul remains a milestone within the man's career and his spirit lives on within the greatness of this pivotal and classic recording. Highly recommended to soul and R&B aficionados and also lovers of popular music whom would want to expand their musical horizons. I know it made quite an impact on me! 

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Rating Grade- A+