Walk On By (A Tribute to Isaac Hayes)

Released in 2009, Walk On By (A Tribute to Isaac Hayes) serves as a bridge between El Michels Affair's early funk explorations and their eventual status as the house band for the cinematic soul revival. Following their acclaimed work reinterpreting Wu-Tang Clan tracks, Leon Michels and his ensemble turned their attention to the 'Black Moses' himself. The EP features seven tracks that deconstruct Hayes' most iconic works, including 'Shaft' and 'Walk On By'. Rather than attempting to replicate the grandiosity of the originals, the group applies a 'cinematic' filter characterized by heavy tape saturation, dry drum sounds, and a minimalist approach to arrangement. This record is significant for how it highlights the DNA shared between 1970s soul and 1990s boom-bap hip-hop, essentially creating 'pre-sampled' versions of classic songs. It remains a cult favorite for its ability to evoke a very specific, noir-inspired urban atmosphere.