Light in the Attic is at it again with another exercise vault-digging that may well be the definitive word on Memphis' soul scene of the late-'70s and '80s.  Stone Crush: Memphis Modern Soul 1977-1987  is now available in an array of configurations.  Each documents the modern soul scene of Bluff City's post-Stax years.  Available on CD, double vinyl, or a special 2LP/7" set, Stone Crush is a labor of love from collectors/DJs Daniel Mathis and Chad Weekly that's over a decade in the making.

Expertly curated to be a crate-digger's dream, Stone Crush features some of the best of Memphis' unsung soul heroes, boasting obscurities ranging from the private-press music of singing dentist (!) O.T. Sykes to "bedroom funk" by the marvelously-named group Captain Fantastic and Starfleet.   As usual, LITA has delivered with the packaging.  There's a hefty, full-color booklet (40 pages in the CD configuration, or 24 pages with the vinyl) that includes unseen archival photos and extensive liner notes by Memphis curator/writer Andria Lisle and Grammy Award-winning writer Robert Gordon.

Stone Crush: Memphis Modern Soul 1977-1987 is available now from LITA or for pre-order from Amazon (with an in-stock date of May 25 in the U.S. store as of this writing).  A "Galaxy Haze Orange/Red" color vinyl variant will be available in independent record shops, while the LITA online shop offers exclusive bundles.  To whet your appetite, the uber-rare "I'm Just A Boogie Roller" can be sampled below.  While researching for Stone Crush, the curators unearthed a music video for the track which was shot and produced in 1982.  Now it's available as a taste of this excellent set from Light in the Attic.

Various Artists, Stone Crush: Memphis Modern Soul 1977-1987 (Light in the Attic, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / LITA Bundles)

1. O.T. Sykes - Stone Crush On You
2. L.A. - The Doctor
3. Tom Sanders - I'll Get To That
4. Frankie Alexander - No Seat Dancin'
5. Captain Fantastic & Starr Fleet - Keep It To Yourself
6. Captain Fantastic & Starr Fleet - Under Cover Lover
7. Magic Morris - (I'm) Choosing You
8. Sir Henry Ivy - He Left You Standing There
9. Sweet Pearl - You Mean Everything To Me
10. Morris - Can We Melt The Ice
11. J- Phakta - Is It Love
12. Cato - Slice Of Heaven
13. Frankie Alexander - Take Time Out For Love
14. Greg Mason - What Does It Take To Know (A Woman Like You)
15. Silk Satin & Lace - Always
16. Kick - Lollie Pop
17. Kick - Right Thing
18. Libra - Convict Me
19. Mark Anthony & Lyte Speed - I'm A Boogie Roller *

* Bonus track exclusive to single and digital album