Spirit of Memphis (1962-1976) [4 CD/7" Combo]

The Spirit of Memphis (1962-1976) chronicles the ascension of one of the greatest American musical talents the world has ever seen. From his humble beginnings as an orphaned sharecropper to his time as a session player, house songwriter, and producer for Stax Records, to his arrival as an artist in his own right as “Black Moses,” Hayes became a symbol for what was possible for Black America, perhaps best encapsulated by his barrier-busting Oscar-win for Best Original Song with “Theme From Shaft” in 1972. This four-CD set includes both songs written and produced by Hayes and performed by the other artists (Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man,” Carla Thomas’ “B-A-B-Y”), as well as a collection of Hayes’ best-loved hits (“Walk On By,” “Theme from Shaft”), plus a wealth of previously unreleased material. This essential collection examines the many facets of Isaac Hayes’ career and provides an essential survey of one of the most influential, genre-defining artists in American music history.