Don Nix:

Hobos, Heroes and Street Corner Clowns:(1973)

Don, who? Don't know the name? You're probably not alone, but you probably DO know his work. Don Nix started out playing sax in the Mar-Keys, who had early hits for Stax records. He then transitioned into production/writing/arranging work for Stax, working with artists like The Staple Singers and Freddie King. Outside the company he worked with Leon Russell, and George Harrison. Here on this '73 release are the gentle sounds of a seventies singer/songwriter album tempered with the Southern flavor Nix had helped cultivate throughout his career. 

Frederick Knight:

"I've Been Lonely For So Long": (1973)

The only Stax release Frederick Knight had, but what a minor hit it produced! I've Been Lonely For So Long, is a killer R&B track that just begs for you to sing along with it. hat song, originally released as a single in '72 was a last ditch effort by Knight to have a hit after going through a few different labels. It was in fact, recorded after hours in a Birmingham, AL studio that was closed. Knight couldn't find a drummer for the session, so he improvised using a 2x4, and a padded bar stool. Musical gold was struck. 

As a side note, I would totally sport a patchwork leather jacket like this on the cover.

The Blues Brothers:

The Blues Brothers: (1980)

Normally I would have a record like this in the soundtrack section, but this particular soundtrack was so influential on me that it got moved up. A brilliant movie it was, and still is...I intentionally overlook the atrocious sequel from 2000. Ok, back to this record. This record hipped me to Stax, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker, Aretha Franklin, and Cab Calloway. As a kid I heard it, and actively sought out records by all these people. What more needs to be said?