Released at the golden age of funk in 1971, Melting Pot is one of the finest instrumental funk albums of its time.

It marks a creative high point for Booker T. & the MG's – the band celebrated for their exceptional instrumental expertise; Melting Pot is key in the band’s discography, as this is their last album with Stax Records, and this is where they merge funk, soul, and jazz elements. ⚗️ 

The album is especially significant to instrumental funk as an early example since it is also recognized for having influenced a wave of bands that were eager to imitate the MG.

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Booker T. & the MG’s lineup is one of legends: Booker T. Jones on keys, Al Jackson Jr. on drums, and two names familiar to anyone who loves The Blues Brothers (such as me): Donald “Duck” Dunn on bass and Steve Cropper on guitar.

Donald “Duck” Dunn and Steve “The Colonel” Cropper share a timeless friendship… The two are friends since sixth grade, and they perform together in their first band, which is initially known as “the Royal Spades." When Cropper leaves this band in order to work full-time as a session musician at Memphis' Stax Records, he encourages Dunn to follow him, eventually bringing him in to replace bassist Lewie Steinberg in Booker T. & the MG’s.

With Dunn on bass and Cropper on guitar, the two become part of Booker T. & the MG’s, which later becomes the house band at Stax.

Cropper and Dunn work at Stax, contributing their skills to some of the greatest soul albums of the time, including projects by Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and many others. Their work with Booker T. & the MGs strengthens their status as two of the most talented musicians of their era, defining the Stax sound and also laying the foundation for their later success with The Blues Brothers. 🕶️ 🕶️

Their lifelong friendship takes them through decades of music and countless stages together, coming full circle in Dunn’s final hours. The two play side by side at Tokyo’s Blue Note nightclub for a fifth double show in 2012, and just hours after that last performance, Dunn passes away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 70.

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Coming back to 1971...

For both Cropper and Dunn (especially for Dunn), 1971 isn’t just about Melting Pot.
Steve Cropper, renowned for his smooth yet sharp guitar work, re-releases some of his solo projects under the title This Is...Steve Cropper & His Friends in 1971. This compilation features collaborations with some of soul’s finest, including Stax alumni and other iconic musicians.

Meanwhile, Dunn is one of the most sought-after bassists of the time, and his 1971 calendar looks packed with sessions. His distinctive, rich grooves appear on the recordings of a remarkable array of musicians. He teams up with soul singer Eddie Floyd, who is then well-known with hits like ‘Knock on Wood.’ Dunn’s bass can also be heard with Rita Coolidge, where he brings a soulful depth to her warm, blues-infused vocals, as well as on projects with Herbie Mann, whose explorations in jazz and funk lean heavily on the rhythm Dunn provides. He also works with songwriter Alan Gerber, whose genre-bending style perfectly suits Dunn’s flexible, groove-oriented approach. 

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1971 seems to be a year full of exciting sounds! 🌟 ⭐
Among the tracks on Melting Pot, ‘Fuquawi’ stands out as my personal favorite. The song captures the band’s synergy and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of funk. It perfectly blends soul, raw grooves, and improvisational flair, resonating just as powerfully today as it must have in 1971.

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Gülben - 11/2024

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📌Booker T Official Site

📌Steve Cropper Official Site

📌Donald “Duck” Dunn Official Site

📖 Steve Cook writes for PremierGuitar

🎥Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story (2007; Documentary)

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🎶 Genre: Funk

For other Funk content on site: CLASSIC GROOVE FUNK

For all archive: FUNK ARCHIVE

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