Isaac Hayes closed out the first half of the ‘70s with two stellar soundtracks (Tough Guys and Truck Turner, both starring vehicles for Hayes) and returned to the pop scene with Chocolate Chip. The orchestral soul suites of Hot Buttered Soul and Black Moses had been among the great creations of the early '70s, but times were changing and Hayes was forced to change with them. His label wanted uptempo dance songs and Hayes obliged, giving them “Chocolate Chip” and “I Want to Make Love to You,” two disco-funk nuggets that made the Top 20. Hayes was creative enough to adapt to the disco era, but it’s a shame he felt the need for speed; no musician in history has grasped the power of slowness more than Hayes. Thankfully, Chocolate Chip offers “That Loving Feeling” and “Body Language,” songs with dance-floor beats, but Hayes slows them to a simmer. They're just as seductive as his early work, but much leaner, highlighting the percolating interplay of Hayes’ exemplary rhythm section — Erroll Thomas on bass and Willie Hall on drums.