soul

THE COMPLETE STAX/VOLT SINGLES 1959-1968, VARIOUS ARTISTS (ATLANTIC)

A nine-CD, 244-track boxed set whose awesome historical completeness is enhanced by the inclusion of an informative and lavishly-presented booklet about the record company which, from its downhome base in Memphis, changed the course of popular music. All the greats are here, of course, from Otis Redding to Booker T and the MGs, Sam and Dave to Rufus Thomas, plus a heap of lesser-known names: the Mad Lads, Barbara and the Browns, Gorgeous George. So why should you fork out an arm and a leg for all this? Because you can't put a price on nourishing your soul.