Various
Stone Crush (2lp/black)
'Stone Crush' is the definitive overview of Memphis' modern soul scene of the post-Stax years. It's a collection of funky tracks of hope-from dentist O.T. Sykes, who traded dental work for studio time, to the ad-man who moonlighted as the visionary mastermind behind Captain Fantastic & Starfleet, few of them ever had anything to do with a hit, but across the board, each believed. Like Cato Walker, whose father's gig as B.B. King's driver got him an in, and The Bar-Kays' former costume maker Libra, some had tangential connections to the city's deep-rooted music scene that gave them a head start on their hopeful path to fame. Over a decade in the making, 'Stone Crush' is an expertly curated compilation of these home-grown slices of Memphis stylings, from roller skate boogie to private press soul to bedroom funk-rare sides whose original copies are considered holy grails by DJs and collectors all over. This collection does more than transport us to a time gone by. It helps us hear what couldn't be heard then. Compiled by Daniel Mathis and Chad Weekley. Liner notes by Memphis curator/writer Andria Lisle and Grammy Award-winning writer Robert Gordon. Includes unseen archive photos and ephemera. The vinyl is housed in a gatefold jacket with 24-page full-color book. TRACKS: 01. Stone Crush On You - O.T. Sykes 02. The Doctor - L.A. 03. I'll Get To That - Tom Sanders 04. No Seat Dancin' - Frankie Alexander 05. Keep It To Yourself - Captain Fantastic & Starr Fleet 06. Under Cover Lover - Captain Fantastic & Starr Fleet 07. (I'm) Choosing You - Magic Morris 08. He Left You Standing There - Sir Henry Ivy 09. You Mean Everything To Me - Sweet Pearl 10. Can We Melt The Ice - Morris 11. Is It Love - J- Phakta 12. Slice Of Heaven - Cato 13. Take Time Out For Love - Frankie Alexander 14. What Does It Take To Know (A Woman Like You) - Greg Mason 15. Always - Silk Satin & Lace 16. Lollie Pop - Kick 17. Right Thing - Kick 18. Convict Me - Libra