Search - Various Artists :: Soul Ecstasy

James E. from ANN ARBOR, MI
Reviewed on 11/22/2021...

This is a fabulous prank release featuring incredible, funky fusion music.

It is essentially a hoax soundtrack, to a 1972 movie that was never made, much less "shut down after two days" and all the rest of the booklet and liner notes nonsense. One of several clues is that the pranksters named the "now deceased" musical director "Ricardo Tubbs," a name which some of us oldsters will remember as one of the two photogenic leads from the 1980's TV series "Miami Vice."

The first cut is a first rate Curtis Mayfield ripoff, and I mean that in a good way. No way was any of this stuff recorded in the early 70's, but that does not prevent the music itself from being quite excellent in a blaxploitative retro style. Wonderful photos from the "lost" movie print. Now if they would only make available the "surviving movie script" we could all have one last laugh.

I love me a good musical hoax!

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Interesting you mention that ...

Bingopuss | 10/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"actually, this was a classic blacksploiation film. The movie screened for two days, it was very controversial, ties to black panthers, etc. There were fights outside the theatres. Mysteriously, all the original copies of the film were 'lost' in a warehouse fire. All that remains is the soundtrack!"

Good music, yes. Actual movie, no.

Stephen Wein | Pacific Palisades, Ca USA | 08/09/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First, this is a dazzling collection of songs. The tracks sound fresh, hip, interesting, with definite 70's funk and Indian influences (sort of à la late Beatles). This is one of those rare CDs that makes for both good driving music and good mellowing-out-at-home music. Secondly, not to be overly much of a conspiracy theorist or anything, but I respectfully disagree with the reviewer who asserts that this music served as the soundtrack to a movie. Yes, I know that the liner notes claim that there was some ultra-controversial, melee-inducing blaxploitation film that was quickly pulled from theaters. But, well, I don't think you should believe everything you read. I've searched the internet (and imdb.com) and found no such movie.Bonified soundtrack or no, it's good music."