Melting Pot

Performer: Booker T. & the MG's
Producer: Booker T. & The MG's
Distributor: Fantasy (distributor)

Notes: Booker T. & The MG's: Booker T. Jones (keyboards); Steve Cropper (guitar); Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass); Al Jackson, Jr (drums). Engineers include: Ron Capone, Jay Messina, Steve Cropper. Digitally remastered by Kirk Felton (1990, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California). Personnel: Booker T. Jones (guitar, keyboards); Steve Cropper (guitar); Al Jackson, Jr. (drums). Audio Remasterer: Kirk Felton. Audio Remixer: Steve Cropper. Photographer: George Rodriguez . Unknown Contributor Roles: Larry Shaw; Al Jackson, Jr.; Steve Cropper; Booker T. This 1971 album was the last by the classic lineup of Booker T. and the M.G.s. A proposed reunion was derailed by the tragic death of drummer Al Jackson in 1975. Stylistically, MELTING POT is a rather far-reaching recording. This may or may not be because it's one of the group's few entirely self-penned albums. James Brown's influence is clearly felt on such extended funk vamps as the title tune and "Chicken Pox." On "Back Home," the band shifts gears between gospel changes and straight blues. Named after the Indian tribe on "F-Troop," "Fuqawi" achieves a spooky Western movie feel. The biggest surprise is "Kinda Easy Like," which begins as a minor-key blues-almost a rewrite of "Green Onions," the group's biggest hit-and ends with an extended scat section sung by (uncredited) Swingle Singers wannabes.

Rolling Stone (3/18/71, p.44) - "...they represent the very best of the Memphis musical heritage....With Booker T. (literally) pulling out the stops on the organ, and Duck Dunn and Al Jackson at their solid best, the album couldn't miss..."

Booker T. & the MG's, led by soul organist Booker T. Jones, were the house band for much of the music that came out of Memphis in the 1960s on the Stax label. Their instrumental releases--typified by their minimalist classic "Green Onions"-- were the very definition of soulful economy, supple chops and laidback funk--truly regal stuff.

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