Various Artists - Stax of Funk Vol. 2 (More Funky Truth) (2002 + Booklet) BGP - Rare Soul/Funk (FLAC 410MB)

Every one of us has a favourite record label. I think for many of us Stax is pretty much at the top of the pile. The independently owned Memphis label recorded soul for 15 years, both up-tempo and impassionately down. It scored hits in the USA and around the world and gave the world the iconic star quality of both Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes to name but two of its finest. The roll call beyond them is legendary and could take up a whole sleeve note but Booker T and the MGs, Johnnie Taylor, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Sam and Dave, the Bar Kays, William Bell and the Staple Singers all made the label known to fans of good music the world over. But we're record collectors, vinyl extremists and, maybe the odd "anorak" has an involvement as well, so what really gets us going are the obscurities, the ones that got away, i love discovering these on 45. Stax Of Funk 2 could be a tribute to that sort of record. The first Stax Of Funk vol 1 reviewed yesterday gathered up some fine records that "got away" or missed at the time by collectors. Vol 2 finds great tracks by the Emotions and the Sweet Inspirations. But we cover virtually all points on the funk compass. We have blues funk from Albert King and Jimmy McCracklin. We have proto disco grooves from Sir Mack Rice, the blaxploitation exploits of the Bar Kays and the non blaxploitation film theme from the Staple Singers'. Oh and yes there is the unreleased and very funky Rufus Thomas number called "Doin' The Side Saddle". On top of this we have a whole load of hard core down and heavy funk. Lee Sain's "Them Hot Pants", "Shame On The Family Name" by Calvin Scott, Bernie Hayes' "Cool Strut" are all sure fire floor fillers whether you are a DJ or just playing a CD in your front room. And whilst we are at it we've got Reggie Milner's "Soul Machine" which shares its backing track with "Tick Tock Baby" by Quickest Way Out on the Karen label from Detroit, now that's a great record, but Reggie is even better. So this is the Memphis Sound, only the funkiest Memphis sound you will ever hear with obscururities in abundance for "anoraks" like me!..What a label!!!

AMM

                                                                                                        The Tasters!