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Stax Records website showing news about the upcoming 4 part HBO documentary, uk details hopefully to follow? Los Angeles, CA (May 2, 2024) — THE MEMPHIS SOUL SOUND THAT ELECTRIFIED THE WORLD TO BE CELEBRATED IN NEW STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A. DOCUSERIES The HBO Original four-part documentary series STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A., an official selection of the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival and winner of the TV Premiere Audience Award, is produced and directed by filmmaker Jamila Wignot. The series, a production of Laylow Pictures and White Horse Pictures in association with Concord Originals, Polygram Entertainment, and Warner Music Entertainment, debuts MONDAY, MAY 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO with two episodes airing back-to-back, followed by the final two episodes airing back-to-back on Tuesday, May 21 at the same time. All four episodes of the series will be available to stream on Max on May 20. https://staxrecords.com/news/stax-soulsville-usa-hbo-original-series/ Episode Descriptions CHAPTER ONE “Cause I Love You” Debut date: MONDAY, MAY 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) With humble beginnings in Memphis, TN in the late 1950s, Stax Records quickly becomes one of the most influential record labels on the Black music scene, breaking out iconic artists including Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the MG’s, and Otis Redding. With growing popularity in the Black market, Stax executives and musicians were determined to transcend racial divides and bring their music into the American mainstream. CHAPTER TWO “Soul Man” Debut date: MONDAY, MAY 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) Stax Records finally breaks through to the white market, with their crossover hit “Soul Man” and Otis Redding’s performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. But Redding’s untimely death, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., legal obstacles, and ongoing racial tensions in Memphis reveal cracks in the surface at the company. CHAPTER THREE “Respect Yourself” Debut date: TUESDAY, MAY 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) After the tragic death of Otis Redding and the Atlantic Records merger that left Stax in the dust, Stax promotions director Al Bell steps up to save the company, releasing hit records such as “Soul Limbo” and “Who’s Making Love?.” Stax puts their efforts behind Isaac Hayes, who receives GRAMMY® and Oscar® awards for his work composing the music and theme song for the 1971 box office smash hit “Shaft.” CHAPTER FOUR “Nothing Takes The Place Of You” Debut date: TUESDAY, MAY 21 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) By the 1970s, Stax is in its prime and decides to give back to the Black community in Los Angeles, CA by putting on the Wattstax benefit concert in 1972 and recording the event as a documentary. However, not long after, money troubles plague the company when their bank goes under and drags Stax down with them, forcing the company to shutter its doors. Credits: HBO Documentary Films presents STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A., a Laylow Pictures Production and a White Horse Pictures Production in association with Concord Originals, Polygram Entertainment, and Warner Music Entertainment. Directed by Jamila Wignot; produced by Jamila Wignot and Kara Elverson; executive produced by Ezra Edelman, Caroline Waterlow, Nigel Sinclair, Nicholas Ferrall, Scott Pascucci, Sophia Dilley, Michele Smith, Jody Gerson, David Blackman, Charlie Cohen, and Ron Broitman. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Tina Nguyen.

A new addition to Kent records long running 'Songwriter Series', billed as 'a long-overdue addition', details and more follow below... A Different World - The Holland Dozier Holland Songbook - Various Artists (Songwriter Series) - CDTOP 520 'The Sound Of Young America- an extensive salute to the classic songs of Motown and Detroit's flagship tunesmiths of the 60s and 70s.' Release notes Holland-Dozier-Holland songs have been revisited many times by all sorts of artists, and “A Different World” brings two dozen diverse names and interpretations of their repertoire, with Motown and Invictus stalwarts like the aforementioned Supremes and Tops (as well as Martha and the Vandellas, Kim Weston, the Miracles and more) sharing disc space with The Band, Brenda Lee, The Vanilla Fudge, Laura Nyro and even The Fall – just a few of the non-traditional names who reinterpret Holland-Dozier-Holland’s vison of ‘The Sound Of Young America’ in their own individual and inimitable ways. Full release notes by Tony Rounce can be read via Ace records website (tap) Track Listing 01 Where Did Our Love Go - Donnie Elbert 02 Love's Gone Bad - Chris Clark 03 Jimmy Mack - Martha & The Vandellas 04 Don't Do It - The Band 05 Baby I Need Your Loving - Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston 06 How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - Brenda Lee 07 Reach Out, I'll Be There - Gloria Gaynor 08 Heaven Must Have Sent You - Diana Ross & The Supremes 09 Medley Of Soul (It's The Same Old Song / Something About You / I Can't Help Myself) - Big Al Downing 10 While You're Out Looking For Sugar - Honey Cone 11 There's A Ghost In My House - The Fall 12 Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While) - The Isley Brothers 13 You Keep Me Hanging On - The Vanilla Fudge 14 A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Everyday) - Dusty Springfield 15 This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) - Bettye Swann 16 New Breed Kinda Woman - Holland-Dozier Featuring Lamont Dozier 17 Band Of Gold (Unedited Alternate Version) - Freda Payne 18 Leaving Here - Eddie Holland 19 I'm In A Different World - Four Tops 20 I Think You Need Love - Dionne Warwick 21 (Come Round Here) I'm The One You Need - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 22 Come See About Me - Barbara Mason 23 Helpless - Kim Weston 24 Come And Get These Memories - Laura Nyro Leaflet Scans Availability Release date 26th April 2024 Available via Ace Records website and many fine soul stockists

Just in, release news from Soul Direction Label release and sleeve notes follow below... Soul Direction are pleased to announce Their Next Release. Sharisma – “Trouble, Trouble” / “Something Wonderful” / “Love Is the Way” – SD021 Release Date – Tuesday 7th May 2024 Available to Order – Monday 29th April 2024 Available for the first time on vinyl courtesy of Emandolynn Music & Manny Campbell. Emandolynn Music did release the tracks, but in digital format only. This prompted Soul Direction to strike a deal to license the tracks for a 7” vinyl release and believed that showcasing all 3 tracks together was the perfect package. This being the way it was meant to be released. Manny Campbell heard the group play in a talent showcase in 1969 and shortly after signed them up for a recording session. Their first recordings were at Upper Darby Studios “Love is the way/ something wonderful” recorded in 1969. Both as demos. He then decided to upgrade the sound and took them Sigma Sound Studios around 1970 to record “Trouble Trouble”. They initially never had a ‘name’ for the group, so Manny came up with Sharisma, which could have been a spin on the term Charisma as they were seen to have a certain charm. They liked it and decided to use it. “Trouble, Trouble” was meant to be the group’s first release, but unfortunately before they could finish the process, the main lead singer was drafted to the Vietnam War (He was an enlisted reserve at the time). “Trouble, Trouble” was written and produced by Manny Campbell as a ‘letter’ to his firstborn son who at the time was getting into some troubles himself at the time. These tracks sat in an unmarked tape box for many years. Because it was a ‘demo’ Manny Campbell shelved it due to the missing band members and moved onto the next project as this was just one of many tracks he was involved in. “Love is the way/something wonderful” was recorded at Upper Darby Studios. “Trouble, Trouble” Was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios. Sigma Sound was strongly associated with Philadelphia soul and, in the 1970s, the sound of Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records so it was the perfect fit for the sound Manny was looking for. The main recording Engineer for “Trouble Trouble” was Joe Tarsia. He was the owner of Sigma Sound and was Gamble and Huff’s main engineer on a lot of their work. The additional musicians on these tracks were the famous Trammps, who later recorded for Buddah & Atlantic records. Alan Kitchener https://www.soul-direction.co.uk Images Photo: Manny Campbell Videos Sharisma - Trouble Trouble - (Soul Direction) SD021A Sharisma - Something Wonderful - (Soul Direction) SD021B Sharisma - Love Is The Way - (Soul Direction) SD021C