Isaac Hayes: The Spirit of Memphis (1962-1976) Call it a book or call it a box set; just make sure you’re hinting to someone to make sure that this collection dedicated to Hayes’ days at Memphis-based soul imprint Stax is in your possession. Four CDs give listeners 67 songs (some unreleased) that track Hayes’ evolution from cover artist to songwriter to full-blown bandleader. All that audio is augmented with a 56-page book featuring interviews and — most impressively — tons of handwritten notes from Stax master reels, old press releases and loads of glossy, behind-the-scenes photos from the label’s archives. (Craft Recordings)
This article appears in Dec 21-28, 2017.