• When a classic soul fan thinks of the "Muscle Shoals" sound, chances are he's referring to the music made at Rick Hall's FAME (that's Florence Alabama Music Enterprises!) Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.   Though the House that Hall Built has been celebrated on past anthologies, none has been quite so comprehensive as the 3-CD set due for release from U.K.-based Ace Records.  The FAME Studios Story 1961-1973 (KENTBOX 12, 2011) is the result of two years' worth of research conducted by Ace in the FAME vaults and the latest release in an ongoing series of FAME-related titles from Ace and sister labels Kent and BGP.  Its 75 tracks have been curated in true Ace style, spotlighting both the familiar and the criminally unknown.  Over one-third of its tracks are new to CD, and more than a dozen cuts are previously unreleased, including recent discoveries from Otis Redding and Arthur Alexander!  Producer Alec Palao told TimesDaily.com that "I have worked on master tapes and multi-tracks from the great studios of the world -- Stax, Gold Star, Abbey Road, etc. -- and Rick's stand up there with the best of them for the sheer quality of recording and the way he put things on tape."  In addition to the artists mentioned above, you'll hear Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Arthur Conley, Irma Thomas, Joe Tex, Joe Simon and Lou Rawls. Behind the scenes, writers, producers and players including Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham and George Jackson are represented.  Though The FAME Studios Story offers scorching Southern Soul, pop fans needn't be discouraged, either.  The Osmonds, Tommy Roe and Bobbie Gentry all make appearances!  Visit Ace for the full track listing and sound samples!  The FAME Studios Story arrives today as an import.

Hit the jump for news of The Rolling Stones' addition to the Black Friday Record Store Day campaign!

• The day after Thanksgiving has long been known as Black Friday, but if the folks behind Record Store Day have anything to say, the black will refer to the color of those shiny circles of vinyl called records!  Another high-profile act has recently announced an exclusive for Record Store Day: The Rolling Stones.  A special 7-inch vinyl single of "No Spare Parts" b/w "Before They Make Me Run" will follow the November 21 release of the deluxe reissues of 1978's Some Girls.  "No Spare Parts" is one of the songs premiering on the expanded Some Girls while "Before They Make Me Run," of course, is a cut off the original album.  The acoustic "No Spare Parts" was originally recorded in Paris circa 1978, and showcases vocalist Mick Jagger on electric piano, Keith Richards on acoustic piano, Ronnie Wood on pedal steel guitar, Charlie Watts on drums and Bill Wyman on bass.  For those who aren't equipped with turntables, the single will be available digitally beginning November 14.  Our list of RSD Black Friday exclusives can be found here!