Nobody Wins: Stax Southern Soul 1968 - 1975 / Various

UK compilation that puts the spotlight on the music emanating from the South's greatest label - Stax Records of Memphis. In the early '60s, Stax defined the sound of Southern Soul through the work of Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and Booker T & the MGs. From 1968 onwards the label widened it's reach and, although records were still cut in their own studio, the label was also using studios in other parts of the city and the south. Nobody Wins follows these developments through a mixture of rare gems, previously unreleased tracks and a sprinkling of classics. Of the previously unreleased numbers, the earliest is the Charmel's' 'I've Done It Again' from what was probably the under-recorded vocal group's last Stax session. Chuck Brooks provides US with a brilliant version of 'Hold on This Time', and we have a wonderful unreleased number by Stax songwriter Bettye Crutcher. Kent.