Twenty-Five great instrumental tracks finally get the dust blown off
and are seeing the light of day for the first time with this extraordinary
release on Stax (Fantasy Jazz). This collection offers further evidence
that the label and its impressive roster of musicians created timeless
music that has served as both a benchmark for styles and techniques
across the board in sound and musical production.
I feel very strongly that this music was a precursor to jazz-rock
fusion. With the combination of rock, jazz, blues, rhythm & blues
and blues, it is obvious to me that this was surely the first kind
of modern rock oriented fusion music to take shape.
Booker T. & The MGs and The Mar-Keys had many of the
same musicians. That does not come as a revelation because Stax and
their strong stable of artists gained their well-known reputation
for playing on every record the label ever recorded. The bands would
later receive accolades both with their respective bands and individually.
This music, recorded in the early 60s, and subsequently forgotten
for what seems like an eternity now, is finally available for our
listening gratification. Even though all of these tracks are strong,
it never came off the shelf. No doubt, the label most likely looked
at the songs as not being viable single material. I do not think the
recordings took aim at that market anyway, which is understandable
as the creative process was a carefree jam style approach with no
deadlines imposed on the recording sessions, which really had no particular
structure to start with. Steve Cropper commented that they had a lot
of fun and there was no pressure and that is why it sounds so happy.
It really does sound happy, and it all is such a joy to hear.
The liner notes that accompany this CD are splendid, giving eye-opening
detail of the techniques and equipment used for the sessions. This
is a must-have CD of over 64 minutes of instrumental paradise. If
you enjoy instrumental music that is multi-crossover, this CD will
be welcomed in your stereo time after time.
1. Let's Go (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 2:21
2. Good Groove (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 2:52
3. Candy performed by Mar-Keys - 2:45
4. Peppy performed by Mar-Keys - 2:02
5. Slidin' (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 2:43
6. Put a Label on It (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 2:03
7. Raw-Hide performed by Mar-Keys - 1:54
8. Gigglin' performed by Mar-Keys - 2:17
9. Jazzy (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 2:07
10. Weird Stomp (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 2:39
11. Made in Memphis performed by Mar-Keys - 2:48
12. Soul Twist performed by Mar-Keys - 2:48
13. Funky Folks Cha Cha (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 3:32
14. Tick Tac Toe (alternate take) (Cropper/Jackson/Jones/Steinberg) - 3:34
15. Settle Down performed by Mar-Keys - 2:08
16. Blue Peanut performed by Mar-Keys - 2:50
17. Ain't (Cropper/Jackson/Jones/Steinberg) - 2:54
18. Lawn Party (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 2:45
19. Tighten Up performed by Mar-Keys - 2:06
20. Saucy performed by Mar-Keys - 2:36
21. Consumption (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 2:52
22. Three Leaf Clover (Cropper/Dunn/Jackson/Jones) - 2:24
23. Sassy performed by Mar-Keys - 2:10
24. The Floyd performed by Mar-Keys / Floyd Newman - 2:03
25. The Bo Vitch (Cropper/Jackson/Jones/Steinberg) - 2:13
