OST - ‘Hell Up In Harlem’
Music performed by Edwin Starr
Motown Records
Released in the UK on 6th August 2001

The 1970’s saw a new era at Motown and Berry Gordy’s dream to break into the film industry began to take shape. Superstar Diana Ross who had broke ranks with the Supremes in 1969 to pursue a solo career, found herself not only having major hits herself, but being groomed for superstar status on the silver screen. More on that later.

In 1971 the Isaac Hayes soundtrack to ‘Shaft’ was seen as a masterpiece of its day (and still is) and one that brought Memphis based Stax Records’ most commercial success, had set the pace for others to follow. Blaxploitation movies were everywhere, with the likes of ‘Across 100th Street’ ‘Shaft’s Big Score’ but to name two, both of which had excellent film scores, but it wasn’t until 1974 when Motown delivered a killer soundtrack to ‘Hell Up In Harlem’ featuring the long established Edwin Starr.

I have to say that I have not seen the film but can confirm that the film score is nothing short of superb and ranks highly alongside the aforementioned ‘Shaft’. Motown must have been proud of the end result and they couldn’t have picked anyone better than brother Edwin Starr to provide his unmistakable aggressive vocal style to deliver some fine up tempo and mid tempo songs that confirm the mans diverse vocal dexterity.

The title song itself only saw the light of day as a ‘B’ side in the UK although it was always going to be the collectors favourite. This tune opens and closes the CD (with a previously unreleased instrumental) and this track plus the excellent track ‘Easin In’  can be found on the recent Spectrum release entitled the Essential Collection.

‘The song ‘Big Papa’ is as good as anything you would hear on these kind of soundtracks complete with typical wah wah guitar work. There really is hints of ‘Shaft’ with this track. The rest of the disc is made up of mid tempo cuts but the overall performance from Edwin Starr is a credit, and the immaculate production team consisting of Freddie Perren (who later went on to write and produce for Tavares)  and Fonz Mizell all add up to brilliant score and if the movie is anywhere near as good????

Rating 8/10

Photo shows Edwin Starr with fellow producers Freddie Perren & Fonz Mizell.