Son of Shaft

Recorded by the Memphis-based Bar-Kays shortly after the group rebuilt its lineup following the 1967 plane crash that claimed several original members. The track was cut during sessions for the album Black Rock and featured the band's evolving blend of funk, soul and cinematic instrumental grooves. Released at the height of the blaxploitation era, the track capitalized on the popularity of Isaac Hayes' Shaft while showcasing the Bar-Kays' own hard-driving instrumental style. It helped establish the group's post-Stax identity and broadened their audience beyond Southern soul. The track became a favorite among funk collectors and breakbeat hunters, with its rhythm sections and horn arrangements later sampled by hip-hop producers. It remains an important early example of the Bar-Kays' transition into one of funk's most enduring bands.