The classic Stax catalogue will be made exclusively through iTunes for a 90-day period before becoming readily available to other retailers.
The Stax catalogue was reactivated recently by Concord Music Group in Beverly Hills.The catalogue features soul classics from Isaac Hayes, Booker T & The MG's, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, The Staples Singers and Albert king to name a few.
Stax will offer five full albums never before released on CD to be made available as online albums exclusively. The albums include:
• Eddie Floyd - You've Got To Have Eddie -A long-lost 1969 classic from the "Knock On Wood" man includes the single "Don't Tell Your Mama" along with covers of Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual" and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary."
• David Porter - Gritty, Groovin' & Getting' It: The Porter half of the venerated Hayes-Porter songwriting and production team. This 1970 release includes the U.K. hit "One Part - Two Parts" as well as covers of Stevie Wonder and the Temptations.
• Freddie Robinson - At the Drive-In: This great electric soul/blues album spotlights an overlooked Stax artist best known for his early '70s guitar work with John Mayall circa Jazz/Blues Fusion.
• Lou Bond - Lou Bond: A pure soul gem from 1974 . . . Curtis Mayfield meets Tim Buckley as a listen to "To The Establishment" will reveal.
• The Sons of Truth - A Message From the Ghetto: From 1972, a funky soul outfit that delivers a memorable cover of James Brown's "I Feel Good" and more.
The albums are available for $9.99. A second round of albums will be released on July 24.
Stax has also announced two live shows featuring many of its classic artists: a benefit for the Stax Museum of American Soul Music to take place on Friday, June 22 at Memphis' Orpheum Theater, and a Hollywood Bowl show to take place Wednesday, July 18. In addition, a documentary film, Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story, a "Great Performances" special from Thirteen/WNET New York, will have its broadcast premiere on Wednesday, August 1 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).
