Enterprise

Enterprise on vinyl: the other face of Stax

In short: Enterprise was a Stax subsidiary in Memphis. Isaac Hayes’ big albums came out here – “Hot Buttered Soul” and the soundtrack to “Shaft”. Alongside, a lot came out here that doesn’t sound like classic Stax soul: country, rock, blues and jazz. The Vinyl Room currently has 24 Enterprise records, most of them from the seventies.

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Enterprise first pressings

Soul & funk

Country, blues rock & folk rock

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→ Stax · Soul · Soul & funk on vinyl · How to spot a first pressing

What makes Enterprise special?

Isaac Hayes made the label big: long, orchestral soul pieces instead of three-minute singles. We have his live album “Live At The Sahara Tahoe” and the records of his songwriting partner David Porter, including the concept album “Victim Of The Joke?....An Opera”.

The range is what makes it exciting: O.B. McClinton sang country as a Black artist – “Obie From Senatobie” –, Little Sonny played the blues on harmonica, and Billy Eckstine’s later albums such as “Stormy” came out here too. Add Memphis rock from Don Nix and Terry Manning and even jazz for church with “Jazz Goes To Church”.

FAQ

Is Enterprise part of Stax? Yes, Enterprise was a Stax subsidiary in Memphis.

Which Enterprise album is the best known? Isaac Hayes’ “Hot Buttered Soul” (1969) and his soundtrack to “Shaft” (1971).

Was there only soul on Enterprise? No – also country, rock, blues and jazz, from O.B. McClinton, Don Nix and Little Sonny, for example.

What do you have on Enterprise? Mostly seventies records – 24 records in all.