As Stax history buffs know, the label’s initial success was built on nurturing local Memphis talent – Rufus and Carla Thomas, Booker T. & The MGs, The Mar-keys and so on. Other artists who had enjoyed some modicum of success – whether national or regional – joined the label in the ‘60s including Johnnie Taylor, Sam & Dave (often mistakenly thought of as a Memphis group but in reality, originally formed in Florida), Mable John (the first female artist on Motown), Judy Clay and Eddie Floyd (formerly of Detroit’s Falcons).

After the company switched from Atlantic distribution to its association with Gulf & Western in 1968, other ‘name’ artists were added to the roster such as former Motown star Kim Weston, Inez Foxx (of ‘Mockingbird’ fame with brother Charlie) - and R&B/blues man Little Milton. Ironically, Milton made his first records for the famous Memphis Sun label but it wasn’t until he recorded for Checker Records from the early to late ‘60s that the accomplished singer, guitarist and songwriter achieved national attention. Known for such hits as his anthemic “We’re Gonna Make It,” “Who’s Cheating Who?” and the wonderful “Grits Ain’t Groceries,” Milton became a bonafide soul music chartmaker.

At Stax, Milton found himself in a different musical environment and while the intention may have been on making his records more accessible to a ‘70s black music audience, he actually made some of his finest blues sides for the label. Some great choices were made by historian Lee Hildebrand for the 2006 “Stax Profiles” release on Milton: “Walkin’ The Backstreets And Crying” is a masterpiece – although if you ever get to see the footage of Milton taped in Los Angeles at the time of the famed Wattstax concert, you will marvel. Milton acquits himself well on a cover of the Isaac Hayes-David Porter-Booker T. Jones’ tune “Little Bluebird” (previously recorded by Stax soul man Johnnie Taylor) and delivers powerfully on B.B. King’s “The Thrill Is Gone,” a brave move for any bluesman!

The “Stax Profiles” CD offers exceptional live versions of “Let Me Down Easy” (not, for soul buffs in-the-know, the Bettye Lavette classic) and ”I Can’t Quit You Baby,” two songs he first recorded at Checker along with the fine uptempo groove cut “That’s What Love Will Make You Do” and a somewhat strange version of the country hit “Behind Closed Doors.” The fourteen tracks on this album display Milton’s deeply soulful singing as well as his skill as a blues guitarist of the first order and while never a major mainstream artist, Little Milton – who passed away in 2005 – made some great recordings for Stax that are more than worthy of a new listen.

David Nathan
a/k/a “The British Ambassador Of Soul”
Owner, www.soulmusic.com, www.soulmusicstore.com, www.soulmusicglobal.com
Secretary, The Rhythm & Blues Foundation (www.rhythmnblues.org)

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