Soul historians will tell you that 1969 was a key year in the history of STAX RECORDS. The iconic Memphis label ended its link with Atlantic Records and went out on its own – though almost all of its back catalogue was left in the ownership of Atlantic. Dynamic label boss, Al Bell, therefore decided to create a new “back catalogue” by commissioning a massive 27 new LPs to be cut in just a few months. Commentators dubbed the idea “the Soul Explosion”.
US reissue specialists CRAFT RECORDS are commemorating the event – 50 years on – with a wide selection of physical and digital reissues of key albums from that exciting period,.
Craft recently kicked off their Soul Explosion campaign with three vinyl reissues exclusive for Record Store Day, held on April 13th: Albert King’s ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’, the duets collection ‘Boy Meets Girl: Classic Stax Duets’ and the compilation ‘Stax Does The Beatles’.
On May 31st, soul fans will be able to enjoy the ‘Soul Explosion’ compilation album, back on vinyl for the first time since 1969. ‘Soul Explosion’ offers a sampling of the label’s biggest hits and a selection of rarities
The in June, to commemorate Black Music Month, Craft will also reissue 30 Stax Soul Explosion era albums to digital platforms—marking the very first digital release of these albums.
