Stax Records is where Southern soul became a global force in music. The label, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, gave rise to a number of stars – many hailing from its Southeast Memphis neighborhood. During the '60s and into the '70s, Stax studio was a wellspring of hit records that topped both the R&B and pop charts. On March 30, 2010, Stax Records – now operating within Concord Music Group – will release Stax Number Ones, a compilation of 15 chart-topping hits by Stax' best-known artists.
Included in Stax Number Ones are Booker T. & the MGs' "Green Onions," Sam & Dave's "Hold On! I'm Comin'" and "Soul Man," Eddie Floyd's "Knock on Wood," Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," Johnnie Taylor's "Who's Making Love," "I Believe in You (You Believe in Me)" and "Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone," Rufus Thomas' "(Do The) Push & Pull [Part 1]," Jean Knight's "Mr. Big Stuff," Isaac Hayes' "Theme from Shaft," The Dramatics' "In the Rain," The Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There" and "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" and Shirley Brown's "Woman to Woman."
Stax Records has placed more than 175 hit songs on Billboard's Hot 100 pop charts as well as a staggering 250 hits on the R&B charts. Stax Number Ones represents all 15 songs that hit #1 on either chart from the label's golden era. It is a perfect sampling of classic Stax.
