Recording information: 1961 - 1974.

For those daunted by the idea of wading through the multi-volume COMPLETE STAX/VOLT SINGLES series, this two-CD best-of celebrating the label's 50th anniversary is a much more manageable item. Featuring well-known milestones in the label's history, such as Booker T. & The MGs' "Green Onions," the Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There," and Otis Redding's "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay," and lesser-known gems like William Bell and Judy Clay's "Private Number," Frederick Knight's "I've Been Lonely for So Long," and Shirley Brown's "Woman to Woman," STAX 50TH is a well-chosen, informatively annotated overview of one of the 1960s and '70s' finest R&B labels.

Spin (p.91) - 4.5 stars out of 5 -- "[A] fine introduction to Southern soul's greatest label, form its '60s R&B heyday to its '70s funk science.

Down Beat (p.76) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "50 songs that belong to one of the most prized vaults in the history of popular music."

Dirty Linen (p.63) - "This spectacular set manages to cram 50 amazing tracks onto two CDs. Everything you could possibly want is here..."

Living Blues (p.64) - "[A] good introduction to the vibrant southern soul sounds associated with Stax."

No Depression (p.74) - "The remastered sound is superb; one marvels at the clarity of Al Jackson's drums in 1969's 'Time Is Tight'."