Top Of The Stax

When you listen to this, you cannot help but say to yourself "how incredible the talent roster was for this record label". Not only did you have this very special array of vocalists but, for the most part, it was the same house band playing on all of these memorable songs.Stax will always have their nemesis, Motown, but they should not be considered competitors. Both labels were great yet they were apples and oranges, completely different. Motown was pretty and melodic while Stax was funky and dirty. Stax also had a much more muscular sound, musically, so their house musicians got a lot more accolades. I enjoy Motown but I love Stax!There is no need to talk about song highlights since these are all classic hits. The nice thing here is that Stax gave you variety. You have funk, you have duets, you have love gone bad, you have man hating female vocalists, you have bluesman, you have thumping bass and greasy guitar, you have killer horn sections, you got Jean Knight singing "Mr Big Shot"...this has everything...pretty, hard, loud, soft etc.For the Stax fanatic, you will know all the songs but most people are not fanatics they are simply just loooking for a great compilation. If that is you, you will say to yourself "I did not know all of these great artists and songs came from the same label".This cd works on many levels. It is a great compilation of classic soul songs, it satisfies the hard core collector who wants all of these tunes, it operates as a GREAT party cd/driving cd and lastly, it is a piece of history that showcases how the South interpreted soul.If you like this then there is a part II with slightly more obscure tunes, a lot funkier and bluesier, yet just as satisfying.DO NOT BE FOOLISH, BUY THIS!

I love R&B music of the 60s and 70s. Although I live in Memphis, I have always enjoyed Motown music the most and never bothered to study the Stax music made right here in Memphis. Wow! The body of Stax records is incredible and it's interesting to listen to this music and compare to Motown's music. The sounds are both great but very different. I strongly recommend this album and encourage you to listen and compare to the writers and musicians from Motown. It competes very favorably.

One of America's legendary record labels, STAX was the home to some legendary performers. And this collection of classic songs gives the listener a taste of the terrific music that came out of the movie theater-turned-recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Definitely worth buying!

Great collection of old school Memphis sound. Pretty much covers all the great artist of an era long gone. Stax records was pivotal in bringing the Memphis sound to the world.

This is one of the best various artist CD I have ever heard. I love Stax it was a great label. Buy this CD you will be glad you did.

I thought I was ordering another CD with the exact same cover which was also called Top of the Stax. no volume number on either cover. You did not offer a clear list of songs like you used to.

Meh. Didn't love it.

Love this old school music!

タイトルの通り、これからソウル・ミュージックを聴き始めようという人には必携の一枚です。オーティスはもちろん、サム＆デイブ、ステイプル・シンガーズにエモーションズまで入ってる！このＣＤの中には必ず好きな曲が入っているから、そうしたらその人のＣＤを買い集めていけばいい。反対に、もうソウル・マニアな方も、リトル・ミルトンのブルージー、ルーファス・トーマスのお馬鹿、ウィリアム・ベルの男の哀愁、シャーリー・ブラウンの絶唱、と侮るどころか、思わぬ拾い物をきっとすることでしょう。そして、最後にはあの超有名曲「シャフトのテーマ」で締めるところなんて、ホントいい選曲！個人的には星10個くらい上げたいほどの、名コンピレーションだと思います。

For "Southern" soul and alternative to Motown R&B fans everywhere.If you were "in" during the late 50's, early 60's or simply like the music from this era, you will be right alongside nearly every track on the CD (and Top of the Stax 2) profiling the performers from this iconic label.

Contains some of the all time great Stax songs