The first new signings to Stax include soul luminary and Stax patriarch Isaac Hayes and superlative vocalist Angie Stone. Isaac Hayes remains an integral force in Stax and beyond, and Angie Stone is widely regarded as one of her generation’s few heirs to the grand tradition of R&B. 

“Stax always has been and always will be Soul Music, I was a part of that,â€? said Hayes.  “I am coming back to Stax because there is still so much to do. It’s like coming home.â€?

“The thrill of putting out music on the label that brought the world Otis, Booker T, the Staples and so many other artists who made me want to sing in the first place is simply indescribable,â€? added Stone.  “I simply can’t believe that I will be a Stax artist – and I’ll be label mates with Isaac Hayes.  The staff at Stax share my belief that soul has to stay in touch with its origins.  We’re going to make beautiful music together.â€?

Concord, which acquired the legendary Memphis label as part of its purchase of Fantasy Records in 2004, will also honor Stax’s 50th year by releasing definitive collections, rare performances, unreleased tracks and more from the Memphis R&B imprint in deluxe new packages.  The first of these will be Stax 50: A 50th Anniversary Celebration, a two-CD, 50-track anthology brimming with hits from Sam & Dave (“Soul Man,â€? “Hold On, I’m Comin’â€?), Otis Redding “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,â€? “Respectâ€?), Booker T. & the MGs (“Green Onionsâ€?), Isaac Hayes (“Theme from Shaft,â€? “Never Can Say Goodbyeâ€?), The Staple Singers (“Respect Yourself,â€? “I’ll Take You Thereâ€?) and many more. Plans for digital releases, remixes and other projects are also in the works; the anniversary year’s releases are slated to include more than 20 CDs and DVDs.