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
Jimmy McCracklin
. But a lot of the music is by artists most won't have remembered as being on the
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
"Cold Blooded"
is a cool, largely
instrumental
-like tune whose arrangement bears influences from both
Philly soul
and
Santana
. There's also
's curious 1974
remake of
"Crosscut Saw."
The one previously unissued track is
"Do the Side Saddle."
~ Richie Unterberger