Hell Up in Harlem - O.S.T. [Original recording remastered, Soundtrack]

Edwin Starr | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 27, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00005ABOE
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,811 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ain't It Hell Up In Harlem

2. Easin' In

3. Big Papa

4. Love Never Dies (Helen's Love Theme)

5. Don't It Feel Good To Be Free

6. Runnin'

7. Jennifer's Love Theme

8. Airport Chase

9. Mama Should Be Here Too

10. Like We Used To Do

11. Ain't It Hell Up In Harlem (Instrumental)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THUG MUSIC BEFORE THUG MUSIC, July 11, 2010

By 

Patrick Frierson - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hell Up in Harlem - O.S.T. (Audio CD)

Hell up in Harlem is an oddity among black cinema soundtracks of the early 70's. Whereas the classic Curtis Mayfield score (Superfly in case you asked) was filled with a socially conscience undercurrent that made the songs relevant, this Edwin Starr sung and Freddie Perren/ Fonce Mizell produced soundtrack to the entertaining- if flawed sequel to Black Ceaser, is almost devoid of the cautionary messages that made its aforementioned rival a timeless classic. Hell up in Harlem instead seemed intent in presenting 70's gangster life in its raw unfiltered glory by not delivering a profound message, but a surface reality in which there are no consequences nor any attempt to find answers for its actions. This approach may have gone over the heads of many listeners at the time since the early 70's was a socially conscience time- which probably explains the limited appeal and success of the soundtrack. Not to mention the movie was a relative disappointment at the box office compared to its predecessor -further detracting listeners from the score.

That being said, the Hell up in Harlem soundtrack is one of the shiniest gems of its era for a couple of reasons. One, the production is marvelous, giving listeners a well rounded glimpse into 70's criminal life in the inner city, while doing it with a great sense of humanity that makes it easy for mature listeners to absorb (none of the cheap exploitation that you will find in the worse hardcore rap albums). Second, the soundtrack has lived on as a sampling source and reference for dozens of rappers. Since the subject matter is something a lot of rappers can relate to, it's easy to see why they would gravitate towards this album as a source of musical inspiration. If Ice T, Ice Cube, and 2Pac were 70's soul singers, they would've most likely made an album that sounded like this.
Highlights include the adrenaline pumping ghetto soul of the title track in which a picture can be painted of Tommy Gibbs covering the city in red as he rise to the top of New York's underworld. Easin' In with its sneaky and slinky bass line is equally as gangsta as it's the fitting soundtrack for someone looking to snatch someone's criminal turf when they least expect it. Also worth mentioning is the sugar daddy anthems "Big Papa" in which middle age players are having fun but are reminded of the perils of playing a young man's game.

There are also standouts in its soft moments. "Don't it Feel Good to Be Free" will bring a sense emancipated bliss as you think about chains being broke that bonded you to obligatory helplessness (unemployment, imprisonment, bad marriage, etc). "Like We Used to Do" is one of the best Father and Son songs you'll ever hear with its warm floating groove and Edwin's nicely refrain plea to reunite with his son (you won't find too many songs like this in today's jaded black music atmosphere). "Mama should be here Too" is almost as good as it could qualify as the "Dear Mama" (that 2Pac record) of its day. Then there's the necessary slow jams of" Our Love Will Never Die" and "Jennifer" which showcases the reflective and intimate side of thug love respectively- but can also be universal in its own merit.

While there are a few filler cuts that don't go anywhere musically- namely "Runnin", "Airport Chase", and an unnecessary instrumental of the title track, it doesn't detract from the overall experience.

Next time you come across a used copy of "Hell up In Harlem- the Soundtrack" don't hesitate to pick it up rather you a 70's soul lover, beatdigga, or a soundtrack buff. The album succeeds in not only capturing a spirit of the conflicted world of a gangsta (which is Tommy Gibbs in these movies if you ever saw it), but also crossing boundaries by venturing into a world that few were bold enough to travel and has became influential in hip hop as a result- making it one of the most endearing black cinema soundtracks ever produced. I would say this album is a stone cold classic with a bullet. While hell can very well be in Harlem, the songs and its influence will make this a heavenly addition to your collection.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD, August 29, 2006

By 

Multiplex (NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hell Up in Harlem - O.S.T. (Audio CD)

Love the soundtrack. Edwin Starr sang the **** out of Hell up in Harlem (my theme song. Sound Quality on this soundtrack is excellent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and a half, July 13, 2010

By 

Bill Your 'Free Form FM Handi Cyber Print DJ ... (Mahwah, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hell Up in Harlem - O.S.T. (Audio CD)

"War" was all I knew of Edwin Star: completely my loss. I recently found he was quite the film score maven listening to this Hell Up In Harlem Score.'


Though actually, "War" is a good indicator of where he takes the music for this film. Hell Up In Harlem has the same thick arrangements and giant cut blocks of funk that helped make "War" so powerful.

This was the mid-1970s, and production values were slicker. But Starr so reveled in working in sound maximus that the more shiny recordings bolster the tracks.

There is a whole world of Blaxploitation music beyond Superfly and Shaft, and if you are interested, you gotta include Hell Up In Harlem