Hayes’ piano and keyboard playing was always simple, direct, grooving, and uncluttered. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “Oh, you know that’s Isaac Hayes on piano!” Many of his parts have become “must play” landmarks. His years with Stax seem so far removed from his later work in soul music — not to mention his years as an actor. But when you take a closer look at his playing in the studio in the ’60s, you can really see the emergence of refined concept of layering and part playing. This sensibility is also strong in his work in the ’70s, beginning with the classic albums Black Moses, Hot Buttered Soul, and, of course, Shaft. Here are a few classic keyboard parts, in the soulful style of the late Isaac Hayes.