Booker T. & The MG's
Hip Hug-Her

The creators of a sound so beautiful that it was requested by some of the best r'n'b artists of the time. Starting with Otis Redding, moving on to Wilson Pickett and the duo Sam & Dave, the hallmark of Booker T. & The MG's (Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Al Jackson Jr.) is stamped on some of the most beautiful soul records of the 1960s. And to think that if Al Jackson hadn't been afraid of flying, they would have gone to the Woodstock festival, which probably would have given them even greater visibility.

Because despite having patented the sound of southern soul, today's generations mostly remember them only for their first (splendid) single "Green Onions," a perfect balance between funk and rhythm & blues. Yet, although it is indeed the ultimate representation of the American band, the work of what was probably the most important and influential group of soul musicians, the champions of the so-called "Stax Sound", cannot be reduced to just two minutes of music. Besides offering their services to international stars (individually or as a group), since 1962, Booker T. & The MG's have created a prolific production of their own, starting with "Green Onions" (single and album), continuing with the respectable "Soul Dressing" and "And Now!", which, however, don't stand out for originality. Even due to the lack of a worthy single since the time of "Green Onions," the group's popularity in the mid-'60s was declining, at least until '67, when the LP "Hip Hug-Her" was released, with the leader trying for the first time what would be considered his instrument par excellence, the Hammond B-3 organ.

The title track, the first single extracted, opens the album in the best way, with a sustained rhythm & blues that makes the rhythm section the ideal base for Booker T. Jones's forays, alternating throughout the work the solo phrases of his Hammond with the guitar phrases of the extraordinary Steve Cropper, who embroiders soft musical pillows with each note. "Soul Sanction" and "Get Ready" follow the line set by the opening track, while the album flows quickly, alternating original pieces and covers colored by the warm sounds of the band, so much so that they seem like originals themselves: "Groovin'," part of "The Young Rascals" repertoire, is the most shining example, in a version that will make it another successful single and will be covered by Aretha Franklin in her "Lady Soul," with the addition of her amazing voice. "Double Or Nothing" (later played by Al Kooper) is one of the most successful tracks of the album, which also stands out with the ballads "More" and "Sunny" as its other strong points: particularly the latter, signed by singer Bobby Hebb, is a soul ballad whose melancholic tones are emphasized in this version, closing the Long Playing in the best possible way.

Less funk and more rhythm & blues than the more famous "Green Onions," "Hip Hug-Her" is a must for every soul lover. Make it yours.