Various Artists – Soul Explosion (2019) [FLAC 24bit/192kHz]

On May 31st, soul connoisseurs can get their hands on the Soul Explosion album, back on vinyl for the first time since 1969. As part of the label’s “Made in Memphis” reissue campaign, the lacquers for the 2-LP set were cut by Memphis-based engineer Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl and pressed locally at Memphis Record Pressing (MRP). Soul Explosion offers a sampling of the label’s biggest hits and stars of the day, with Eddie Floyd, the Mad Lads, the Staple Singers, Albert King and more. The second disc of the set includes a selection of rare tracks, many of which are exclusive to this collection. These include the Bar-Kays’ “Hot Hips,” Ollie & The Nightingales’ “Heartache Mountain” and Eddie Floyd’s “It’s Wrong To Be Loving You.”

Motown to the north and Stax to the south. Two distinctive origins of soul music. In the southern humidity of Memphis, there were Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T. and several others who invented a unique groove combined with namely gospel and blues. Published in 1969, the aptly-named Soul Explosion unites Stax forces such as Eddie Floyd, the Staple Singers, Albert King, the Bar-Kays, and Johnnie Taylor. This collection symbolizes above all the year when Stax reworked its catalogue, in which the independent label broke off its deal with Atlantic Records. Under the direction of Al Bell, Stax published 27 albums and 30 singles in only a few months in order to hit the mark. What’s more, Bell did everything he could to ensure that his label remained in line with the Civil Rights movement that shook America. Soul Explosion represents both a musical as well as an ideological revolution. Essential. – Marc/Zisman

Tracklist:
01. Johnnie Taylor – Who’s Making Love
02. Jimmy Hughes – I Like Everything About You
03. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Hang ‘Em High
04. Carla Thomas – Where Do I Go (From The Love Rock Musical “Hair”)
05. Eddie Floyd – I’ve Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)
06. Southwest F.O.B. – Smell Of Incense
07. Albert King – Cold Feet
08. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Soul Limbo
09. The Mad Lads – So Nice
10. Eddie Floyd – Bring It On Home To Me
11. William Bell, Judy Clay – Private Number
12. The Staple Singers – Long Walk To D.C.
13. Ollie & The Nightingales – I’ve Got A Sure Thing
14. The Bar-Kays – Copy Kat
15. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Soul Clap ’69
16. The Staple Singers, Mavis Staples – Hear My Call
17. Johnnie Taylor – Save Your Love For Me
18. Jimmy Hughes – Peeped Around Yonder’s Bend
19. Carla Thomas – Book Of Love
20. The Mad Lads – These Old Memories
21. Southwest F.O.B. – Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
22. The Bar-Kays – Hot Hips
23. Ollie & The Nightingales – Heartache Mountain
24. Johnnie Taylor – Twenty Years From Today
25. Eddie Floyd – It’s Wrong To Be Loving You
26. Judy Clay – It’s Me
27. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – Booker’s Theme
28. Albert King – Left Hand Woman (Get Right With Me)