The Staple Singers - The Best of the Staple Singers (1991)

After making their mark in the early '60s with gospel, folk, and social-protest songs, the Staples joined the Stax label in 1968. These 16 cuts find the Staples straddling the sacred and secular worlds, offering positive-message songs that aren't explicitly religious. Backed by the rock-solid grooves of Stax's urgent soul, the Staples produce a series of buoyant, infectious numbers. With Mavis's gritty, emotionally charged lead vocals in command, they roll through horn-driven celebrations such as "I'll Take You There" and "We'll Get Over" plus superb covers of "Dock of the Bay" and "The Weight." Pops's warm lead vocals grace earthy self-affirmations including "Respect Yourself" and "Be What You Are." These "secular spirituals" deftly combine socially conscious lyrics with joyous melodies. --Marc Greilsamer