Album Info
| Artist: | Booker T. & The M.G.'s |
| Album: | Melting Pot |
| Released: | US, 01 Nov 2019 |
Tracklist:
| A1 | Melting Pot | 8:15 |
| A2 | Back Home | 4:40 |
| A3 | Chicken Pox | 3:26 |
| A4 | Fuquawi | 3:40 |
| B1 | Kinda Easy Like | 8:43 |
| B2 | Hi Ride | 2:36 |
| B3 | L.A. Jazz Song | 4:18 |
| B4 | Sunny Monday | 4:35 |
Info About Buying Vinyl From Our Record Store
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Description
"Melting Pot" is an album by the American instrumental R&B/funk band Booker T. & the M.G.'s, released in January 1971 on Stax Records. This album is notable for being the last one to feature the band's classic lineup of Booker T. Jones on keyboards, Steve Cropper on guitar, Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass, and Al Jackson Jr. on drums. The album is often celebrated for its tight musicianship, innovative compositions, and its seamless blend of soul, funk, and jazz elements.
The title track, "Melting Pot," is an extended jam that runs over eight minutes, showcasing the band's ability to create a groove and sustain it with intricate interplay between the musicians. The song is built around a repetitive, hypnotic bass line by Dunn, with Jones' organ and Cropper's guitar weaving in and out, creating a rich tapestry of sound. Jackson's drumming provides a steady, driving rhythm that keeps the track moving forward.
"Back Home" is another standout track, featuring a more laid-back, bluesy feel. The song highlights Cropper's guitar work, with his clean, crisp lines providing a perfect counterpoint to Jones' soulful organ playing. Dunn and Jackson provide a solid foundation, allowing the song to ebb and flow naturally.
"Chicken Pox" is a funkier number, with a catchy, syncopated rhythm that is impossible to resist. The track features some of Jones' most inventive organ work, with swirling, psychedelic lines that add a sense of urgency and excitement. Cropper's guitar is more restrained here, but his sharp, staccato chords add a sense of tension that keeps the listener engaged.
"Fuquawi" is a slower, more contemplative track, with a haunting melody that lingers long after the song has ended. Jones' organ is front and center here, with his delicate, nuanced playing creating a sense of melancholy and longing. Cropper's guitar is more subdued, but his subtle, tasteful lines add depth and texture to the track.
"Kinda Easy Like" is a more upbeat, jazzy number, with a swinging rhythm that is reminiscent of the band's earlier work. The track features some of Cropper's most fluid, expressive guitar playing, with his lines dancing around Jones' organ in a playful, almost conversational manner. Dunn and Jackson provide a tight, propulsive rhythm that keeps the track moving forward.
"Hi Ride" is another funky number, with a driving, syncopated rhythm that is impossible to resist. The track features some of Jones' most inventive organ work, with swirling, psychedelic lines that add a sense of urgency and excitement. Cropper's guitar is more restrained here, but his sharp, staccato chords add a sense of tension that keeps the listener engaged.
"LA Jazz Song" is a slower, more contemplative track, with a haunting melody that lingers long after the song has ended. Jones' organ is front and center here, with his delicate, nuanced playing creating a sense of melancholy and longing. Cropper's guitar is more subdued, but his subtle, tasteful lines add depth and texture to the track.
"Sunny Monday" is a more upbeat, jazzy number, with a swinging rhythm that is reminiscent of the band's earlier work. The track features some of Cropper's most fluid, expressive guitar playing, with his lines dancing around Jones' organ in a playful, almost conversational manner. Dunn and Jackson provide a tight, propulsive rhythm that keeps the track moving forward.
Overall, "Melting Pot" is a fitting swan song for the classic lineup of Booker T. & the M.G.'s. The album showcases the band's incredible musicianship, their ability to create tight, cohesive grooves, and their willingness to experiment with different styles and sounds. It is a testament to the band's enduring legacy and their influence on the world of R&B, funk, and soul music.