Don Julian - Shorty The Pimp (1973)

1. Shorty The Pimp
2. Message From A Black Man
3. Vato's Brew
4. Schoolin' & Foolin'
5. Super Slick
6. Brother What It Is
7. (Ooh Baby) I Love You
8. Show & Tell
9. Check Your Mind
10. Hell Below
11. Just Tryin' To Make It Pt. I
12. Just Tryin' To Make It Pt. II
13. A Woman Ain't Nothing But A Stone Trip
14. Respect Yourself
15. Inner City Blues
16. I Love You
17. My Cherie Amour
18. The Look Of Love
19. Win Your Love

Blaxploitation.com
A new addition to the blaxploitation catalogue, this album from Don Julian & The Larks was never issued in its entirety through Money Records, unlike their Savage soundtrack LP. The theme and several other tracks from this album were issued as singles. The film itself is equally obscure and never saw a cinema release. It is rumoured that Quentin Tarantino owns one of the few remaining prints, in which Don Julian's band take a starring role. The music is a great mix of appropriate cover versions and small group funk with a 'lounge' edge compared to the Savage LP. The original tracks, particularly the theme, make this album worth buying. Note that many of the tracks were previously unissued.

Monk Higgins - Sheba Baby (1975)

1. B B D
2. Three hoods
3. Sheba baby (vocal)
4. Get down Sheba
5. I'm in love with you (vocal)
6. Railroad
7. "Who the hell is that"
8. Heavyshot
9. A good man is gone (vocal)
10. Number one man
11. Sheba
12. The shark
13. Breast stroke
14. Speedboat
15. Good bye
16. She did it (vocal)

Blaxploitation.com
An interesting album from jazz players Monk Higgins and Alex Brown. Barbara Mason sings a strong late 70's funk feel theme, while the rest of the album is taken up with short, tight instrumentals. The album has a clean, crisp and jazz-influenced sound.

Isaac Hayes - Shaft (1971)

1. Theme From Shaft (Vocal)
2. Bumpy's Lament
3. Walk From Regio's
4. Ellie's Love Theme
5. Shaft's Cab Ride
6. Cafe Regio's
7. Early Sunday Morning
8. Be Yourself
9. A Friend's Place
10. Soulsville (Vocal)
11. No Name Bar
12. Bumpy's Blues
13. Shaft Strikes Again
14. Do Your Thing (Vocal)
15. The End Theme

Blaxploitation.com
Without a doubt, the best known and most enduring of all blaxploitation soundtracks. Isaac Hayes at his very best. Every 1970s record collection contains a copy of the 'Theme from Shaft'. The theme's wah guitar defined the music of an entire decade. Too many good tracks to miss, it's a beautiful blend of lush orchestral film score and out-and-out funk.

Gladys Knight & The Pips - Pipe Dreams (1976)

1. So Sad The Song
2. Alaskan Pipeline
3. Pot Of Jazz
4. I'll Miss You
5. Nobody But You
6. Pipe Dreams
7. Everybody Got To Find A Way
8. I Will Follow My Dream
9. So Sad The Song (Instrumental)


Blaxploitation.com
Gladys Knight starred in this Alaska-based love story. The album features a number of distinguished arrangers, including Michael Masser (also responsible for Diana Ross' underrated 'Mahogany' soundtrack), Bubba Knight and the great Dominic Frontiere (take a listen to the fabulous Brannigan main theme, sadly never issued on LP). Much of the album is standard Pips material and lacks depth, often descending into lounge jazz-tinged soul. The album features one stronger funk track, a slower guitar-based jam called 'Alaskan Pipeline'. An album for completists.