Charles "Packy" Axton - Late Late Party: 1965-67

Charles "Packy" Axton - Late Late Party: 1965-67 (LITA067)

Coming August 23rd, a party platter of soul stompers and R&B rompers sure to get any kegger kickin'. There's even a couple slow-dances so you can catch your breath or find something to puke in. Features many of Memphis soul's most formative session musicians, centered around Stax problem child, Charles "Packy" Axton.


"In the vast netherworld of soul there are countless characters that reside on the fringe, their significant contributions to American music history long forgotten. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, tenor saxophone player and bandleader Charles ‘Packy’ Axton is yet another of the uncelebrated, despite a deep pedigree and funky catalogue of notable grooves. Part of the mighty Stax family through birth—Packy’s motherEstelle Axton and uncle Jim Stewart founded the southern R&B dynasty in the early 1960’s—Packy picked up the sax at a young age, and after linking with future Booker T. & the M.G.’s Steve Cropper andDonald ‘Duck’ Dunn, formed the The Mar-Keys. Almost reaching the top of the R&B and pop charts in 1961 with the classic “Last Night,” friction caused by Packy’s party going ways caused a split. It wasn’t until 1965 that the wild child had another national instrumental hit on his hands, “Hole In The Wall” by the Packers, chronicled by Light In The Attic Records in the first ever compilation of Axton’s work: Late Late Party 1965-67." read more


Get it at saki.

The Great Wave: Takeshi Terauchi

By the mid-60s the surf rock wave had broken and was being pulled back away from the shore. The tremolo-heavy and reverb-derenched instrumentals were pushed to the side as the British appropriation of R&B took center stage. Though, surf was defined by American artists like Dick Dale, The Ventures, Duane Eddy, Link Wray, and others, there were a few foreign acts that could hold their own against any of the more notable artists. The Shadows in the UK for example.

None, however, really compare to Japanese guitar legend Takeshi Terauchi. Sixties artists who similarly blend Western influences with their native traditions continue to be unearthed, however few were as consistent or prolific. 

Terauchi's phenomenal playing and compositions really set him apart and considering how common it is for artist like him to get the crate-diggers-deluxe-vinyl-reissue in the US nowadays, it's pretty surprising it hasn't been done yet.