Isaac Hayes' 1977-1982 stint on Polydor had him often doing strong work that differed from both his efforts at Enterprise and ABC. By the late '70s,
Hayes had refined and updated his sound and stopped recording in Memphis. Although this album's predecessor,
New Horizon, wasn't a big seller, it certainly helped him adapt to the changing musical landscape. In turn,
Don't Let Go has
Hayes even more confident and comfortable with his new sound. The title track has
Roy Hamilton's jaunty classic all but unrecognizable with
Hayes' propulsive and expert disco take. With pushy horns, cooing background girls, and his subdued vocal, he effortlessly attained disco's sense of fun. The song's insouciance seemed to rub off on the rest of this album. "What Does It Take" has
Hayes steaming it up with help from a high-pitched bassline and a subtle buzzing guitar. On the best ballad here, the teasing "Few More Kisses to Go,"
Hayes plays the pathway to adulthood as waits for his "precious moment," singing "girl's gonna be a full-grown woman, before this night is through." The best tracks on this album have
Hayes' infallible sense of melody, but there are a few duds. His disco version of "Fever" comes off a little desperate and pointless. The last track, "Someone Who Will Take the Place of You," is a good angry ballad, but clocking in at ten-and-a-half minutes, it's a little too much of a good thing.
Don't Let Go is
Hayes' most successful effort for Polydor. ~ Jason Elias