Stax of Funk, Vol. 2: More Funky Truth

by N/A

Overview

This 21-track collection focuses on some of the more obscure and funk-oriented music Stax put out in the first half of the 1970s. There are a few big names here and there, though not represented by famous tracks, such as the Staple Singers, the Bar-Kays, Albert King, and Rufus Thomas, and more moderately famous performers like Sir Mack Rice, Inez Foxx, the Emotions, the Sweet Inspirations, and Jimmy McCracklin. But a lot of the music is by artists most won't have remembered as being on the Stax roster, or on any other for that matter. On the whole it's OK, but not first-division period soul-funk crossover, sometimes recalling other, bigger artists too obviously, as Bernie Hayes does James Brown on "Cool Strut" (complete with "hit it!" exhortations). The Emotions' "From Toys to Boys" certainly sounds influenced by the kind of very early-'70s Motown production heard on some Jackson 5 records, as do to a lesser degree a couple of the other songs. As for the better moments, the blues-tinged "Big Leg Woman" by Israel "Popper Stopper" Tolbert was an actual 1970 R&B Top 20 hit that doesn't show up on many compilations, and the Bar-Kays' "Cold Blooded" is a cool, largely instrumental James Brown-like tune whose arrangement bears influences from both Philly soul and Santana. There's also Albert King's curious 1974 funk remake of "Crosscut Saw." The one previously unissued track is Rufus Thomas' "Do the Side Saddle." ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	07/28/2008
Label:	Bgp
UPC:	0029667515016

Tracks

1. Doin' the Side Saddle  - Rufus Thomas
2. Devil in a Man  - Stu Gardner

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Stu Gardner   Primary Artist
The Emotions   Primary Artist
Wrecking Crew   Primary Artist
Rudy Robinson & the Hungry Five   Primary Artist
John KaSandra   Primary Artist
Inez Foxx   Primary Artist
Black Nasty   Primary Artist
Calvin Scott   Primary Artist
Albert King   Primary Artist
The Staple Singers   Primary Artist
The Sweet Inspirations   Primary Artist
Reggie Milner   Primary Artist
Katie Love   Primary Artist
Rufus Thomas   Primary Artist
Lee Sain   Primary Artist
Jimmy McCracklin   Primary Artist
Bernie Hayes   Primary Artist
Bar-Kays   Primary Artist
Sir Mack Rice   Primary Artist
Rudy Robinson   Primary Artist
Katie Love & the Four Shades of Black   Primary Artist
Israel Tolbert   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Israel Tolbert   Composer
James Banks   Composer
Eddie Marion   Composer
Calvin Arnold   Composer
Winston Stewart   Composer
Henderson Thigpen   Composer
Willie Hall   Composer
Black Nasty   Composer
Carl Hampton   Composer
James Alexander   Composer
Nick Robbins   Mastering
Rudy Robinson   Composer
Rufus Thomas   Composer
Lloyd Smith   Composer
Lester Snell   Composer
Dean Rudland   Liner Notes
Homer Banks   Composer
Myrna Smith   Composer
Isaac Hayes   Composer
Raymond Jackson   Composer
Jimmy McCracklin   Composer
Larry Nix   Composer
Bernie Hayes   Composer
David Porter   Composer
Gene Anderson   Composer
Sir Mack Rice   Composer
Lewis Collins   Composer
Tony Hollins   Composer
Randy Stewart   Composer
Al Kooper   Composer