People Paper lucky enough to spend time with Hayes while there was still a chance

IN ONE of Isaac Hayes' last interviews, the soul-music icon last week told the

Daily News

of recent projects, one of which included comedian Bernie Mac, who himself died Saturday, just a day before Hayes' death yesterday.

"I have a new album coming out on Concord records, but I haven't titled it yet," Hayes said. "I'm also in a new movie with Bernie Mac and Sam Jackson called 'Soul Men.' " The movie is due out later this year.

Hayes made those comments in a short phone interview on Wednesday in anticipation of his scheduled performance at the Mann Music Center this Friday, along with The Bar-Kays, William Bell and Eddie Floyd, to celebrate soul music labels Stax's 50th anniversary.

Hayes also spoke of his style of music and what it feels like to be revered by musicians who span generations.

"My certain style of music has kept me relevant," Hayes said. "Songs like 'Walk on By' and 'Shaft,' of course, were real good." He said he "really got a good feeling about" the respect that was bestowed upon him.

Hayes also recalled working in a packaging company in the pre-Stax records era, and of having worked with musical luminaries in their early days.

"I got my start with Simon Davis, and worked with guys like Nat Cole and Sam and Dave," Hayes said of his early composing work. "And we did 'Baby' with Carla Thomas. My backup singers worked with Carla, and Otis [Redding] and I did the horn composition."

Despite his TV and movie work outside music, Hayes will forever be identified as one of the voices that helped craft soul music.

"They idolize me and I idolize them," Hayes said of both his fan base and musicians who try to capture his style and essence.

"I just kept it as classic as always, and that way, the music never dies." *