Black Music Month Digital Releases Calendar
JUNE
In June, to commemorate Black Music Month, Stax will reissue 30 titles to digital platforms—marking the very first digital release of these albums. The titles, which will be released one per day throughout the month, include the 1971 concept album Victim Of The Joke? An Opera from acclaimed songwriter and producer David Porter; 1973’s Estelle, Myrna & Sylvia from girl-group the Sweet Inspirations (who backed such acts as Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin); and A Dramatic Experience, the sophomore album by R&B Music Hall of Fame inductee the Dramatics. Eleven of these titles (from the likes of the Soul Children, Johnnie Taylor and the Mad Lads) are results of the 1969 Soul Explosion sessions.
In June, to commemorate Black Music Month, Craft will also reissue 30 titles to digital platforms—marking the very first digital release of these albums. The titles, which will be released one per day throughout the month, include the 1971 concept album Victim Of The Joke? An Opera from acclaimed songwriter and producer David Porter; 1973’s Estelle, Myrna & Sylvia from girl-group theSweet Inspirations(who backed such acts as Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin); and A Dramatic Experience, the sophomore album by R&B Music Hall of Fame inductee theDramatics. Eleven of these titles (from the likes of the Soul Children, Johnnie Taylor and the Mad Lads) are results of the 1969 Soul Explosion sessions.
Black Music Month Digital Releases Calendar
JUNE
We've dug deep into the Stax vaults to bring you some incredible albums—many of which have never been available digitally! We're kicking off with a title from one of Stax's most prolific bands: Booker T. & The M.G.'s "Soul Limbo." This 1968 LP features a sophisticated collection of soul and pop covers (including the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady"). You'll also hear Booker T. Jones making the rare switch from the organ to the piano for a few numbers. Stream this classic today!
Today, we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of "Boy Meets Girl: Classic Stax Duets" with a newly remastered, digital reissue of the album. During the Soul Explosion, Stax paired up their biggest and brightest male and female stars (including Mavis Staples, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Johnnie Taylor and William Bell) to perform a selection of original material and popular covers. Highlights include Mavis Staples and Eddie Floyd singing "Piece of My Heart," William Bell's and Carla Thomas' rendition of "All I Have To Do Is Dream" and opening track, "Soul-A-Lujah," which features all of the singers from the album together. Stream this classic today!
1969 marked a year that was full of both trepidation and excitement for newly independent label Stax. They were left without a catalog of hits by artists like Otis Redding and Sam & Dave, but they did have a roster of up-and-coming stars, and Johnnie Taylor was one of them. In just a few months (during a period known as “The Soul Explosion”), the label released 27 albums—2 of which were by Taylor. This one, "Rare Stamps," offers soulful ballads and driving blues tunes, showing off Taylor’s versatile vocals. Stream this classic today!
The Soul Children were a vocal quartet formed by the indomitable writing/producing team of David Porter and Isaac Hayes. During the Stax “Soul Explosion,” the label was looking for fresh sounds from their writers and producers, as well as new artists to add to their roster. Having previously worked on an individual basis with Norman West, John “J. Blackfoot” Colbert, Anita Louis, and Shelbra Bennett, Porter and Hayes knew exactly who to turn to. Full of sweet, soulful ballads, beautiful harmonies and plenty of grooves, the Soul Children’s self-titled debut was released in 1968.
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All hail the Queen of Memphis Soul! One of Stax Records' first breakout stars, Carla Thomas was one of the biggest names in soul by the time that she released her fifth LP, "Memphis Queen." Produced by Detroit legend Don Davis, during the 1969 “Soul Explosion,” the album finds Thomas with a richer sound, backed by lush instrumental arrangements. Released in 1969, “Memphis Queen” features Thomas’ Top Ten R&B hit, "I Like What You're Doing To Me."
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Armed with frontman Ollie Haskins' expressive, blues-tinged vocals, Ollie & The Nightingales (originally known as the Dixie Nightingales) rose to fame in the '50s and '60s as one of the most popular Southern Gospel groups around. The band had originally signed to Stax's gospel imprint, Chalice, but, during 1969’s prolific “Soul Explosion” era, the label saw a bigger potential in the group, and convinced the crooners to move over to the pop world for a secular album. The band truly shines in their resulting, self-titled debut, which features songs by some of Stax's best writers at the time, including Booker T. Jones, David Porter, Isaac Hayes and Eddie Floyd.
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In the late '60s, Johnnie Taylor had emerged as one of Stax's breakout stars, following his hit song "Who's Making Love." As part of the "Soul Explosion," Stax placed their bets on Taylor, and issued two albums from the smooth singer in 1969. "The Johnnie Taylor Philosophy Continues" was one of them, and features a collection of original material ("I Could Never Be President") and covers ("It's Your Thing," "Love Is a Hurting Thing").
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As the very first house band for Stax, the Mar-Keys were foundational in developing the iconic "Stax Sound." Throughout the early '60s, the group included an impressive cast of musicians—each of whom backed some of the biggest stars of the day. Featuring a stellar lineup of Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Booker T. Jones, Al Jackson, Andrew Love, and Wayne Jackson, this 1968 LP marked a reunion for the band members, who came back together during the prolific months of the "Soul Explosion." Long out of print, this instrumental soul LP is a must-have for Stax collectors.
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In 1969, Stax's president Al Bell wanted to bring in a fresh sound to the label, and one such way that he did this was to enlist Detroit producer Don Davis to fuse the Memphis sounds of Stax with those of rival label Motown. Davis would form a prolific partnership with Johnnie Taylor, and collaborate with Mavis Staples, the Dramatics, Eddie Floyd and Jean Knight, among others. Two lesser-known acts that Davis worked with were soul singer Steve Mancha (who scored hits while singing with groups 100 Hundred Proof (Aged In Soul) and 8th Day) and Northern Soul favorite, J.J. Barnes. "Rare Stamps" features some of the best, Davis-produced tracks from both artists. Highlights include Barnes' 1967 hit "Baby, Please Come Back Home" and Mancha's "I Don't Want To Lose You."
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The Mad Lads stood out as one of the few vocal groups signed to Stax. Released in 1969, as part of the "Soul Explosion," the quartet's sophomore album offers southern soul at its finest—full of smooth vocal harmonies and the sweet tenor tones of frontman John Gary Williams. Highlights include a cover of Jimmy Webb's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," and "Make This Young Lady Mine" (fun fact: those opening horns were heavily sampled in De La Soul's 1989 hit, "Eye Know.")
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The Goodies were made up of three friends from Memphis' Messick High School, who won a coveted audition at Stax, following a local talent competition. The label was impressed, and signed Kay Evans, Sandra Jackson and Judy Williams to a deal under newly formed subsidiary, Hip Records. Released in 1969 as part of the “Soul Explosion,” "Candy Coated Goodies" was an orchestrated pop album, with a sound reminiscent of early ‘60s girl groups. Though it would be the trio's only LP, it did produce a hit, "Condition Red."
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Before Southern rockers Black Oak Arkansas rose to fame with gritty, hard rocking hits like "Jim Dandy," they were a psych-rock band called The Knowbody Else. Originally formed in high school, the group spent much of the '60s refining their sound, finding inspiration in Eastern Spiritualism, and taking a sonic cue from bands like the Byrds and the Beatles. By the late ‘60s, the band had relocated to Memphis, where local powerhouse Stax was looking to sign fresh artists with new sounds. Though their 1969 self-titled debut failed to make a splash at the time, the band would go on to be one of the bigger names in '70s hard rock, with frontman James "Jim Dandy" Mangrum influencing future hitmakers like David Lee Roth.
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Eddie Floyd joined Stax as a songwriter in 1965, where he would become one of the label's most prolific artists, penning hits for the likes of Carla Thomas, Sam & Dave and Otis Redding. The singer/songwriter scored his own hit as a solo artist a year later, with "Knock on Wood." By 1970, when he released his 6th studio album, "California Girl," Floyd was at the top of his game. This breezy soul treat, whose title track hit number 11 on the R&B charts.
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A singer, comic, tap dancer, songwriter, and disc jockey, Rufus Thomas was an iconic entertainer in the Memphis scene, beloved for his youthful spirit, outrageous costumes and endless inventions of dance crazes. Stax signed Rufus in 1960 as a duet act with his daughter, Carla. Though Carla Thomas would become a breakout star in her own right, her father remained a legend at the label, releasing over 30 singles during his time at Stax. Rufus' 1973 LP, "Crown Prince of Dance" is full of his signature funky grooves. Highlights include duet, "Steal A Little" with Carla, and the jamming "Funky Robot." Put on your dancing shoes and celebrate this classic!
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Praised by AllMusic as "one of the finest soul albums of the early '70s," "Starting All Over Again" was the Stax debut from Chicago soul vocal duo (and cousins) Mel and Tim. The two rose to fame in 1969 with hit "Backfield in Motion," and signed a deal with Stax soon after, where they went to work at the legendary Muscle Shoals studio. The album's title track became their next hit single, spending an impressive 20 weeks on the Billboard pop charts. Two decades later, the song hit the pop charts again when Hall & Oates covered it.
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Today's release is from William Bell, who was an early signing at Stax. The GRAMMY Award-winning artist found his niche both as a songwriter—penning iconic tracks like "Born Under a Bad Sign"—as well as a solo artist. His fourth album, 1972's "Phases of Reality" was a new direction for the soul singer, who swapped love songs for socially conscious lyrics and political themes. The multi-talented artist also produced the album and handled all of the arrangements.
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The Sweet Inspirations were one of the most in-demand backing acts of the '60s, whose members included Dionne Warwick and Emily "Cissy" Houston (mother of Whitney). This 1973 LP from the group—who backed everyone from Elvis Presley to Jimi Hendrix—was their one-and-only with Stax, and featured a lineup of Estelle Brown, Myrna Smith, and Sylvia Shemwell. "Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia" offers a sophisticated set of gospel pop songs with impressive harmonies.
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The Dramatics' follow-up to their 1971 hit record "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" found the Detroit artists exploring new territory. The first side of 1973's "A Dramatic Experience" offers heavier themes, with songs that delve into the horrors of drug abuse. Conversely, Side B features the band's classic romantic balladry, uptempo grooves and plenty of sweet harmonies. Newly available on streaming and digital platforms, this LP stands out as a unique outing from one of the biggest R&B stars of the '70s.
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Stax's "Funky Philosopher," John KaSandra spread a message of black consciousness through spoken word and song. Released on Stax's Respect imprint (home to "I Am Somebody" from Rev. Jesse Jackson), 1970's "Color Me Human" weaves stories of social responsibility and calls for black empowerment, all backed by soulful funk. Available for the first time in nearly 50 years, the album includes tracks like ("What's Under) The Natural Do," "Walk Tall (In This Here Land)" and the 15-minute-long, spoken-word "Mose Part III."
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Spirited funk outfit The Bar-Kays were one of the most resilient bands on Stax. After the untimely death of all but two original bandmembers—along with Otis Redding—in a tragic 1967 plane crash, the backing band slowly rebuilt, once again finding themselves busy in the studio with artists like Isaac Hayes. But The Bar-Kays were also becoming breakout artists in their own right, adding a frontman, and turning heads with their inspired, psychedelic funk. Ever-evolving, the band would go on to release a slew of albums over the next two decades, maintaining a presence on the R&B charts well into the '80s. This 1972 LP, "Do You See What I See," finds The Bar-Kays hitting their stride, with socially-conscious lyrics, guitar-driven grooves and even some soulful balladry (plus a scorching cover of Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made to Love Her.") Now streaming for the first time ever, "Do You See What I See" will make you want to get up and dance!
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Listed as one of the "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time" by Rolling Stone, acclaimed producer, songwriter, and singer David Porter established his career at Stax, working alongside writing partner Isaac Hayes. Together, the pair wrote over 200 songs, including Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'" and Carla Thomas' B-A-B-Y. Much like Hayes, Porter also took time to record as a solo artist, and this ambitious 1971 concept album stands as a testament to his endless creative spirit. Pairing original soul music and covers (including a rendition of the Beatles' "Help!") with dialogue, "Victim of the Joke?" is a unique rarity from the Stax vaults.
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Midwest gospel outfit The Rance Allen Group were so beloved by Stax, that the label created a new imprint, Gospel Truth, in order to sign them. The group, which featured versatile frontman Rance Allen and his two brothers, recorded with Stax throughout the '70s, but their 1975 album, "A Soulful Experience" stands out as one of their best with the label. Co-written and produced by hitmaker David Porter, the album features such highlights as "Ain't No Need of Crying" and Porter's autobiographical track "Just Found Me."
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Best-known for their tender love ballads and the sweet, falsetto vocals of frontman Jasper "Jabo" Phillips, Memphis vocal trio The Temprees formed their musical partnership in junior high school, signing to Stax's We Produce subsidiary just a few years later. Released in 1974, the young group's second LP, "Love Maze," finds them at the top of their game, and includes the emotional title cut, several soulful covers ("At Last," "People Make the World Go Round," "Something So Right") and originals like "You Make The Sunshine," which was sampled prominently 30 years later in the GRAMMY-nominated track "The Corner" by Common feat. Kanye West and The Last Poets.
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Though Frederick Knight released very few records as a solo artist, he was a prolific songwriter and producer, and scored one of the biggest hits of the disco-era with Antia Ward's "Ring My Bell." Earlier in the decade though, Knight's 1972 Stax debut would establish him as a hitmaker (title track "I've Been Lonely For So Long" spent time on both the US and UK pop charts, and was covered by a handful of artists over the years, including Mick Jagger).
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In the early-mid '60s, crooner Barbara Lewis made a name for herself with soulfully-poppy hit singles like "Baby I'm Yours," "Hello Stranger" and "Make Me Your Baby." But with her 1970 Stax debut, "The Many Grooves of Barbara Lewis," the singer-songwriter revealed a grittier, bolder sound. Highlights from this upbeat set include "The Stars" and "You Made Me a Woman."
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When blues singer and guitarist Little Milton recorded his soulful 1973 Stax debut, he was already an industry veteran, having spent close to two decades honing his skills and scoring hits on the R&B charts (fun fact: Milton was signed to a record deal while he was still a teenager playing the local bar scene). "Waiting For Little Milton," features artful arrangements from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
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Inez Foxx became a household name when she and her brother, Charlie Foxx, released their 1963 hit single "Mockingbird"—a take on the children's lullaby. They would continue to have a presence on the R&B charts throughout the '60s, with songs like "Come By Here" and "(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count the Days." This 1973 LP was Inez Fozz's first solo effort and shows off her powerful vocals. Highlights include a fantastic cover of "I Had A Talk With My Man," the uptempo "You Don't Want My Love (All You Want Is My Loving)" and Foxx's own "The Lady, The Doctor and the Prescription."
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This soundtrack to the Tony-nominated Broadway musical "Don't Play Us Cheap," from groundbreaking filmmaker, writer, actor, and musician Melvin Van Peebles. Released in 1973, Van Peebles' blends the sounds of classic Broadway with gospel and soul. Featuring performances by the show's stars Esther Rolle (of "Maude" and "Good Times"), "Joshie" Jo Armstead and George McDurn, this rarity from the Stax vaults is not to be missed!
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Perhaps known best for her duet "It Takes Two" with Marvin Gaye—as well as for her popular version of the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (which opened 1972's Wattstax)—Kim Weston released her seventh studio album on Stax's Volt imprint in 1970. Long out of print, until now, "Kim Kim Kim" highlights the singer's soulful vocals, which, on several songs, are paired with fantastic arrangements from acclaimed trombonist and composer Melba Liston.
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1972's Wattstax was a defining moment not only in the history of modern music but also in Black history. The Stax-organized benefit concert, which took place at the LA Colosseum, commemorated the 7th anniversary of the Watts riots in Los Angeles, with proceeds benefitting the local community. The day-long event featured a who's who of Stax artists. This 1972 live album captures electrifying performances from The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, The Bar-Kays, Albert King, Eddie Floyd, and the Soul Children.
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