As back up band for the majority of Stax studio soul music alumni, Booker T. and the MG's/Mar-Keys had a wide range of melodic styles back then as represented on this compilation encompassing early 60's yackety sax dance party pop to the smokey electric base, twangy guitar and bluesy-cool jazz organ riffs first heard in the 1962 Green Onions hit.
Their unique sound has permeated through American pop culture where their influence can be heard in Frankie Avalon beach movies, Beach Boys songs, the Doors' "Rider's On The Storm", the Partridge Family, even TV commercials all the way to the present Late Night with David Letterman and the early SNL bands. The thing is most of the songs on this compilation sound more modern, fresh and original than what most bands are producing today.
Also, specific to this Fantasy Records release, is the sound quality of this remix is the best out of the bunch. Big bass sound with distinct separation between instruments on the majority of the cuts that give a live studio feel similar to the way jazz sessions were recorded back in the day.
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