Once again, the Stax and Volt archives have been raided for 5000 Volts of Stax (1998), the fifth volume in a sporadic series of CDs that uncover previously unavailable outtakes, and other nearly impossible-to-locate R&B rarities. Fact is, none of the 20 tracks on this installment have been available before and many equal, if not exceed, the high calibre of solid soul sides. From the mid-'60s to the mid-'70s, Stax turned a corner in terms of a new breed of talent, as well as behind the scenes. In May of 1968, the label spilt with Atlantic -- who was distributing their records -- effectively marking the beginning of their end. That certainly did not stop the onslaught of amazing music coming from their Memphis-based McLemore Avenue studios. There is an immediacy to much of this later material that must have been reflected in the uncertainty of the era in which it was conceived and documented. Even danceable and lighter fare, such as the Bar-Kays' opener "Sissy," has an undeniable edginess to the horn trills or driving electric guitar. More direct and to the point both in lyrical and musical content are "Look At The News," from the Mad Lads, or the slight Cajun lilt to Little Sonny's instrumental observation that "Things Ain't Kosher." One of the absolute stunners is not from a Stax staple, but rather from former Motown vocalist Kim Weston. Her sultry and breathy take of the Dramatics' "You Got Me Going Through a Thing" is three minutes and 53 seconds of sheer, unadulterated, sexy, soul bliss. The same effect pervades the Isaac Hayes Movement's cover of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." In all actuality, the achingly beautiful track was probably never completed by Hayes, as the arrangement sets up a perfect bed for a lead vocal. Another stone gem is the Staple Singers' take on Laura Nyro's "Stone Soul Picnic," "Red yellow honey, sassafras and moonshine" indeed! All lovers of soul music owe it to themselves to locate every one of the Volts of Stax discs. They contain vital missing links to the wonderful world of Memphis-style rhythm and blues. ~ Lindsay Planer|

Rovi