Motown to the north and Stax to the south. Two distinctive origins of soul music. In the southern humidity of Memphis, there were Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T. and several others who invented a unique groove combined with namely gospel and blues. Published in 1969, the aptly-named Soul Explosion unites Stax forces such as Eddie Floyd, the Staple Singers, Albert King, the Bar-Kays, and Johnnie Taylor. This collection symbolizes above all the year when Stax reworked its catalogue, in which the independent label broke off its deal with Atlantic Records. Under the direction of Al Bell, Stax published 27 albums and 30 singles in only a few months in order to hit the mark. What’s more, Bell did everything he could to ensure that his label remained in line with the Civil Rights movement that shook America. Soul Explosion represents both a musical as well as an ideological revolution. Essential. © Marc/Zisman/Qobuz