Have you ever played Desert Island Disc? For me, this box set is the obvious answer. Sure, it’s cheating. I don’t care. If we can imagine a desert island with a music player and electricity, I think it’s only fair I get to save this 9-CD box set from the shipwreck—whatever calamity led to it. I mean, I assume that's what happened.
For my money, the music produced in those Memphis studios—and to a lesser extent in Muscle Shoals—is the greatest, most complete music ever released. Looking for groove, musicianship, and great songs? Check. Cool guitars, amazing voices, and pristine production? Absolutely.
At the heart of Stax was a dream team of musicians, songwriters, and producers who crafted an era-defining sound. Anchoring it all was the house band, Booker T. & the MG’s, whose tight, intuitive grooves laid the foundation for countless hits. Their effortless synergy, paired with the brass brilliance of The Memphis Horns, created a sonic identity that was unmistakable—raw, soulful, and deeply infectious. The house band, Booker T. & the MG’s, laid down grooves so tight they’d make a Swiss watch blush. Add in the Memphis Horns—those shimmering brass arrangements—and you had a sonic signature that was as raw as it was sophisticated. Behind the scenes, songwriting duos like Isaac Hayes and David Porter churned out hit after hit, while producers like Jim Stewart and Al Bell worked their magic to make it all come together.
And oh, the artists! Stax was home to a dazzling array of talent. Otis Redding, the soul icon whose voice could break your heart or set it on fire. Sam & Dave, the dynamic duo behind classics like “Hold On, I’m Comin’” and “Soul Man.” Carla Thomas, the queen of Memphis soul. William Bell, Rufus Thomas, The Staple Singers, Eddie Floyd, and more. The list goes on, each name representing a cornerstone of soul music history.
This box set is a treasure trove of masterpieces, from Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” to Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man” to Booker T. & the MG’s “Green Onions.” Albums like Redding’s Otis Blue, Sam & Dave’s Double Dynamite, and Isaac Hayes’ Hot Buttered Soul solidified the label’s reputation for quality and innovation. Stax singles weren’t just hits; they were cultural events.
But the music wasn’t made in a vacuum. Stax thrived during the 1960s, a time of seismic social change. As the civil rights movement gained momentum, the label became a symbol of hope and integration, with its racially integrated studio band and staff standing as a rare example of harmony in a segregated South. That energy seeped into the music, infusing it with urgency and purpose.
Today, the influence of Stax resonates across genres, with its soulful grooves and heartfelt authenticity echoing in the works of artists like Anderson .Paak, Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff or Yola, who carry the torch into the modern era, channeling the label’s soul-deep grooves and emotional authenticity into their work.
The Complete Stax Singles box set is not a mere collection of songs. It’s a journey through a pivotal moment in American history, a testament to the power of music to bring people together, and—if I’m shipwrecked—the perfect soundtrack for surviving on a desert island. The always dependable Rhino Records did a fantastic job with this one. It's an absolutely essential item for any music collector.
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