Black Moses (album)
Encyclopedia
Black Moses is a double album
by Isaac Hayes
, released on Stax Records
' Enterprise label in 1971. The follow-up to Hayes' successful soundtrack for Shaft
(also a double album), Black Moses features Hayes' version of The Jackson 5
's hit single "Never Can Say Goodbye
". Hayes' version became a hit in its own right, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
("(They Long to Be) Close to You
", Toussaint McCall
("Nothing Takes The Place Of You"), The Friends of Distinction ("Going in Circles"), Dionne Warwick
("I'll Never Fall In Love Again"), and Little Johnny Taylor
("Part Time Love"). Hayes names Black Moses as one of his most personal works.
The very same sample of "Ike's Rap II" was used in four tracks at about the same time in the mid-1990s: Hell Is Around The Corner by Tricky
, Glory Box by Portishead, Jorge de Capadócia and Salve both by Brazilian hip hop group Racionais MC's
.
The album's title derives from Stax executive Dino Woodward's nickname for Hayes, which he bestowed upon the musician after comparing the effects of his music on black audiences to the leadership of the biblical figure Moses
. The then deeply Christian
Hayes shied away from the nickname, finding it "sacrilegious", although journalist Chester Higgins popularized the "Black Moses" nickname in an article he wrote on Hayes for Jet. Hayes came to see "Black Moses" as a symbol of black pride
:
Larry Shaw, head of marketing and publicity at Stax, came up with the idea to name Hayes' LP Black Moses. He also devised, with the assistance of Bar-Kays member Ron Gordon, a gatefold album cover design which unfolded into a poster-sized image of Hayes, dressed in biblical-inspired attire as "Black Moses".
, who owned the Stax catalog at the time. The CD was remastered by Kirk Felton. The track order on CD was incorrect, placing the songs from side 4 of the LP between those of sides 1 and 2. When Black Moses was originally pressed, sides 1 and 4 were printed on the first LP while sides 2 and 3 were on the second; this process was common on albums released between 1966 and 1974 because it made it easier to play the sides in the correct order on the automatic record-changers of the day (see Jimi Hendrix
's Electric Ladyland
as another example.)
Concord Music Group
, which purchased the Stax masters through its merger with Fantasy in 2004, released a remastered CD version of Black Moses on February 24, 2009 in a digipak that simulates the original vinyl cover. Bob Fisher
remastered the 2009 edition, but the track order is the same as the 1989 CD and not the original album.
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
by Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
, released on Stax Records
Stax Records
Stax Records is an American record label, originally based in Memphis, Tennessee.Founded in 1957 as Satellite Records, the name Stax Records was adopted in 1961. The label was a major factor in the creation of the Southern soul and Memphis soul music styles, also releasing gospel, funk, jazz, and...
' Enterprise label in 1971. The follow-up to Hayes' successful soundtrack for Shaft
Shaft (album)
Shaft is a double album by Isaac Hayes, recorded for Stax Records' Enterprise label as the soundtrack LP for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's 1971 Soul Cinema Classic film Shaft. The album mostly consists of instrumentals composed by Hayes as score for the film. Three vocal selections are included:...
(also a double album), Black Moses features Hayes' version of The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
's hit single "Never Can Say Goodbye
Never Can Say Goodbye
"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by The Jackson 5. Released as a single in 1971, it was one of the group's most successful songs...
". Hayes' version became a hit in its own right, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
Background
In addition to "Never Can Say Goodbye", other selections on Black Moses include covers of songs made popular by The CarpentersThe Carpenters
Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of sister Karen and brother Richard Carpenter. The Carpenters were the #1 selling American music act of the 1970s. Though often referred to by the public as "The Carpenters", the duo's official name on authorized recordings and...
("(They Long to Be) Close to You
(They Long to Be) Close to You
" Close to You" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was first recorded by Richard Chamberlain and released as a single in 1963 as "They Long to Be Close to You," without parentheses. However, it was the single's flip side, "Blue Guitar," that became a hit...
", Toussaint McCall
Toussaint McCall
Toussaint McCall is an American R&B singer and organist.His one major success was with "Nothing Takes the Place of You", which reached #5 in the US R&B chart, issued on Ronn Records in 1967...
("Nothing Takes The Place Of You"), The Friends of Distinction ("Going in Circles"), Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
("I'll Never Fall In Love Again"), and Little Johnny Taylor
Little Johnny Taylor
Little Johnny Taylor was an American blues and soul singer, who made recordings throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and continued public performances through the 1980s and 1990s....
("Part Time Love"). Hayes names Black Moses as one of his most personal works.
The very same sample of "Ike's Rap II" was used in four tracks at about the same time in the mid-1990s: Hell Is Around The Corner by Tricky
Tricky
Tricky is an English musician and actor. As a producer and a musician, he is noted for a dark, rich and layered sound and a whispering sprechgesang lyrical style. Culturally, Tricky encourages an intertwining of societies, particularly in his musical fusion of rock and hip hop, high art and pop...
, Glory Box by Portishead, Jorge de Capadócia and Salve both by Brazilian hip hop group Racionais MC's
Racionais MC's
Racionais MC's is a hip hop group based in São Paulo, Brazil. Mano Brown , Ice Blue , Edy Rock and DJ KL Jay formed the group in 1988. Each member hails from the ring of favelas around São Paulo locally called the periferia...
.
The album's title derives from Stax executive Dino Woodward's nickname for Hayes, which he bestowed upon the musician after comparing the effects of his music on black audiences to the leadership of the biblical figure Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
. The then deeply Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
Hayes shied away from the nickname, finding it "sacrilegious", although journalist Chester Higgins popularized the "Black Moses" nickname in an article he wrote on Hayes for Jet. Hayes came to see "Black Moses" as a symbol of black pride
Black pride
Black pride is a slogan indicating pride in being black. Related movements include black nationalism and Afrocentrism.The slogan has been used in the United States by African Americans to celebrate heritage and personal pride. The black pride movement is closely linked with the developments of the...
:
"Black men could finally stand up and be men because here's Black Moses; he's the epitome of black masculinity. Chains that once represented bondage and slavery now can be a sign of power and strength and sexuality and virility"
Larry Shaw, head of marketing and publicity at Stax, came up with the idea to name Hayes' LP Black Moses. He also devised, with the assistance of Bar-Kays member Ron Gordon, a gatefold album cover design which unfolded into a poster-sized image of Hayes, dressed in biblical-inspired attire as "Black Moses".
Side One
- "Never Can Say GoodbyeNever Can Say Goodbye"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by The Jackson 5. Released as a single in 1971, it was one of the group's most successful songs...
" (Clifton DavisClifton DavisClifton Duncan Davis is an American actor, songwriter and minister. He has appeared on the television shows as A World Apart, That's My Mama and Amen...
) - 5:07 - "(They Long to Be) Close to You(They Long to Be) Close to You" Close to You" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was first recorded by Richard Chamberlain and released as a single in 1963 as "They Long to Be Close to You," without parentheses. However, it was the single's flip side, "Blue Guitar," that became a hit...
" (Burt BacharachBurt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Hal DavidHal DavidHarold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
) - 8:58 - "Nothing Takes The Place Of You" (Toussaint McCallToussaint McCallToussaint McCall is an American R&B singer and organist.His one major success was with "Nothing Takes the Place of You", which reached #5 in the US R&B chart, issued on Ronn Records in 1967...
, Alan Robinson) - 5:29 - "Man's Temptation" (Curtis MayfieldCurtis MayfieldCurtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
) - 4:59
Side Two
- "Never Gonna Give You Up" (Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Jerry Butler) - 5:47
- Medley: "Ike's Rap II" / "Help Me Love" (Hayes, Johnny Baylor, Mickey Gregory, Luther IngramLuther IngramLuther Ingram was an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter.-Career:Born Luther Thomas Ingram in Jackson, Tennessee, his early interest in music led to him making his first record in 1965 at the age of 28. His first three recordings failed to chart but that changed when he signed for KoKo...
, Tommy Tate) - 7:31 - "Need to Belong to Someone" (Mayfield) - 5:15
- "Good Love" (Gregory, Hayes) - 5:15
Side Three
- Medley: "Ike's Rap III" / "Your Love is So Doggone Good" (Hayes, Difosco Ervin, Rudy Love) - 9:15
- "For The Good Times" (Kris KristoffersonKris KristoffersonKristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
) - 5:20 - "I'll Never Fall In Love AgainI'll Never Fall in Love Again"I'll Never Fall In Love Again" is a popular song by composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David. Originally written for the 1968 musical Promises, Promises, it soon became one of Bacharach and David's most enduring songs. It was nominated for Song of the Year in the 1969 Grammy awards...
" (Burt BacharachBurt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Hal DavidHal DavidHarold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
) - 5:02
Side Four
- "Part Time Love" (Clay Hammond) - 8:30
- Medley: "Ike's Rap IV" / "A Brand New Me" (Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
, Kenneth Gamble, Thom BellThom BellThomas Randolph "Thom" Bell is an American songwriter and producer, best known as one of the creators of the Philadelphia style of soul music in the 1970s. He moved to Philadelphia as a child.-Biography:...
, Jerry ButlerJerry Butler (singer)Jerry Butler is an American soul singer and songwriter. He is also noted as being the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group, The Impressions, as well as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.Butler is also an American politician...
) -9:40 - "Going in Circles" (Jerry Peters, Anita Poree) - 7:02
Incorrect track order on CD versions
Black Moses was released on compact disc for the first time in 1989 by Fantasy RecordsFantasy Records
Fantasy Records is a United States-based record label that was founded by Max and Sol Weiss in 1949 in San Francisco, California. They had previously operated a record-pressing plant called Circle Record Company before forming the Fantasy label...
, who owned the Stax catalog at the time. The CD was remastered by Kirk Felton. The track order on CD was incorrect, placing the songs from side 4 of the LP between those of sides 1 and 2. When Black Moses was originally pressed, sides 1 and 4 were printed on the first LP while sides 2 and 3 were on the second; this process was common on albums released between 1966 and 1974 because it made it easier to play the sides in the correct order on the automatic record-changers of the day (see Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
's Electric Ladyland
Electric Ladyland
Electric Ladyland is the third and final album of new material by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, released in October 1968 on Reprise Records, catalogue 2RS 6307. It is the only Hendrix studio album professionally produced under his supervision. It topped the Billboard 200 album chart for two weeks in...
as another example.)
Concord Music Group
Concord Records
Concord Records is a U.S. record label now based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local automobile dealer and jazz fan who sold his...
, which purchased the Stax masters through its merger with Fantasy in 2004, released a remastered CD version of Black Moses on February 24, 2009 in a digipak that simulates the original vinyl cover. Bob Fisher
Bob Fisher
Bob Fisher is an American screenwriter whose credits include Wedding Crashers, the 2011 Fox comedy series Traffic Light, and the upcoming We're the Millers and Contractors.-References:...
remastered the 2009 edition, but the track order is the same as the 1989 CD and not the original album.
Credits
- Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
- lead and background vocals - "Hot", "Buttered", and "Soul": backing vocals
- The Bar-Kays, instrumentation: "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and "Going in Circles"
- Instrumentation on all other tracks by The Isaac Hayes Movement:
- Piano, Vibraphone, Organ, Electric Piano - Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
- Bass - Ronald Hudson
- Bongos, Congas - Gary Jones
- Drums, Tambourine - Willie HallWillie Hall (drummer)Willie "Too Big" Hall was born August 8, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee. He began his career as a drummer in 1965, while still in high school. He played with the Bar-Kays band and Isaac Hayes's band The Movement...
- Electric Piano - Lester Snell
- Guitar - Charles "Skip" Pitts
- Piano - Sidney Kirk
- Piano, Vibraphone, Organ, Electric Piano - Isaac Hayes
- Arranged by Isaac Hayes & Johnny Allen, except "(They Long To Be) Close To You" by Isaac Hayes & Dale WarrenDale WarrenDale Ossman Warren was an American musician, who was best known for his work as an arranger for Motown Records in the early 1960s, and later for the Stax label where he worked with Isaac Hayes among many others...
- Engineers: Ron Capone, William Brown, Henry Bush, Eddie Marion, Dave Purple
- Remix engineers: Ron Capone, Dave Purple and Isaac Hayes