Stax Of Stax Mix

100dBs returns with a soul mix for people who should have harder hearts than they do.

Delving deep into the Stax Records back catalog, Stax Of Stax is the smoothest of crash courses through life and love, tribulation and elation. Created for one Stax fan in particular, without intentions for release, this mix puts the songs at the center rather than the full-on flash and bombast of technical showmanship. From the searing cool of The Dramatics' "The Devil Is Dope" to the conflicted passions of an adultress in Veda Thomas' "I Know It's Not Right," 100dBs offers up lesser-heard revelations—and yeah, a few airhorns and timely echoes—alongside the acclaimed likes of Isaac Hayes, Carla Thomas, The MGs and The Staple Singers.

Need a true testament to this mix's power? Well, when an early copy of it was played at Normals, one of Baltimore's finest record shops, a soul-collecting customer offered cold cash to buy it right off the CD player. Now, lucky you, Stax Of Stax is available for free download. Just can't beat that recession pricing.