When SoulTrackers talk about the golden age of soul music, they immediately bring up the legendary Stax Records. But there was more to Stax than many realize.
While Stax will always be best known as a soul label, having launched the careers of such legends as Otis Redding, the Staple Singers and Isaac Hayes, just to name a few, a lesser-known fact is that throughout the fabled Memphis label's heyday of the 1960s and '70s, Stax strove to diversify its output and explore new sonic avenues with a variety of acts, including rock bands, country singers and gospel groups.
A new box set, Stax Singles, Vol. 4: Rarities & The Best of the Rest, not only covers the label's efforts to reach new audiences, but also turns the spotlight on lesser-known artists and releases, unearthing many long forgotten B-sides and rarities. Available now, the collection includes 6 CDs, spanning 1960-1975, as well as an 80-page booklet, featuring four new in-depth essays by music journalist Lee Hildebrand, music historian Alec Palao, box set co-producer Bill Belmont and Rob Bowman, author of Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records.
Stax Singles, Vol. 4: Rarities & The Best of the Rest joins the critically acclaimed series of Stax singles boxes, the first three of which focused on soul A-sides only. This comprehensive new set completes the story of "The Stax Sound," offering recordings from over 60 artists, under such imprints as Hip, Enterprise and Chalice. Also included are several instrumental and blues tracks from the earliest days of the label, when it was known as Satellite Records.
In his producer's notes, Belmont discusses the concept behind this new collection: "Over the years, within the collector-fan circuit, and in reissues and collections of vintage Stax material worldwide, some 'B' sides have attained a status comparable to the [hits]." Adding, "Stax's 'other side'...has never been presented on its own - thus here, the 'others' are all gathered under the Stax umbrella; part of the all-encompassing rubric 'where everything is everything.'"
We think SoulTrackers will dig this collection of true lost gems. Click below to check it out.
Click Links Below to find Stax Singles, Vol 4: Rarities & The Best of the Rest
Find at your local record store
Learn more about the history of Stax, and find exclusive merch at staxrecords.com