Various Artists – Black Fist Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1977)

I have no recollection how this album has found its way into my record collection. The best guess is that it was among the quite a few albums I got from my grandparents' place. Probably previously owned by one of my uncles. The other possibility is that I got it from some of my friends as a birthday present or something. The problem with this album is that I only have it on vinyl and the vinyl is in storage in Finland. This album is not available in its entirety online either, so I have to base this post on the couple of songs that I can find online. I'm quite surprised if I have indeed found this album at my grandparents' house. The film with the same name is about a black street fighter who goes to work for a white gangster and a corrupt cop. Seems like a similar kind of cult film as Shaft. the soundtrack is filled with excellent funk and soul songs.



It's maybe a bit difficult to evaluate the soundtrack as a whole, because I don't have access to all of the songs. However, all the songs I can access are great. Same Things Happen by Jesse James is a great and funky soul song with some amazing piano and organ playing and raspy singing. Here I Go Again tones the mood down for a cheesy soul ballad. This song is by the band Velvet Fire. It has that old-school sound. It kind of sounds like it's been recorded to Youtube from a not very good record player, because the sound kind of stretches a bit. I'm Your Man's Helping Hand by Sam & Jus'Us is kind of similar song with cheesy soul strings and pianos. However, there are some excellent deep bass vocals on this song. along with two other voices. This song shows a range of great singers. L.A. Gray by Geraldine Kaye is a classic case of a 70's black cop movie soundtrack song. There are some excellent horns in this song along with soulful vocals that almost vibrate as much as Joan Baez's voice. Can't Stop Talkin' by Art & Ron is one of my favourite song from this album. It's some proper raunchy funk music with excellent bass lines and swanky guitars. It's all instrumental, but the mood is excellent. I'm Your Man by the same duo continues on this same style. It has even better groove and some wild yells on the background. The string arrangements are spectacular. Leroy by Sam Shabrin takes the mood to a bit more theatrical and commercial direction, but it still maintains the groovy funk undertones. Let's Do It Again is another quite cheesy, yet funky, soul hit. There are some great vocal harmonies in this song by Denise Gordy.

I'm actually a bit disappointed that I can't listen to this in its entirety now. I didn't even realise I have a great album like this. Fortunately, only two songs were missing from Youtube altogether. I've added links to each song above for you to access those songs. I feel like there's a whole genre of great 70's cult film soundtracks that I have yet to discover. For a long time, I wasn't really that into soul music, but more recently I have really gotten into this genre a lot more and especially some funkier albums.

I seriously can't remember where this album came from, but wherever it came from, I'm grateful for them for bringing this album into my life.