Stax of Records
- Simply Vinyl Records
- Apr 25
- 1 min read
This week we were privileged to be invited to purchase a collection of LPs and singles from a collection in Surrey. Within the 7-inch records were a large number of Stax soul singles, remaining in great condition since being purchased in 1967.
Founded by siblings and business partners Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton (STewart/AXton - STAX), at a time when racial segregation was at its height in Memphis and Southern America, Stax records brought together black and white musicians to create one thing, soul music.
Responsible for the inception of Booker T and the MGs, the record label became a truly interracial label. The great Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Issac Hayes all achieved great success at Stax records.
In contrast to Motown records where the finished product was overseen by Berry Gordy, Stax records had a funky groove shaped by the use of a single recording studio, single approach to production, and a number of in house writers and artists.
By 1975, the label was forced into bankruptcy through a combination of financial mismanagement and institutions who were not supportive of the financial success of the company.
The music can still be found on original 7inch pressings and after listening you begin to understand that the label produced some of the greatest music, as arguably one of the greatest independent record labels in history.
Stax records was truthful, pure, raw funk and soul…
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