Soul'd Out: The Complete Wattstax Collection 12 CD Box Set

Our review of Soul'd Out: The Complete Wattstax Collection finds this 12 CD box set aimed squarely at serious collectors, funk and soul historians, and anyone who values archival concert documentation. The single biggest reason to buy is depth: this is the most comprehensive compilation of Wattstax audio yet, pairing the main event recordings with 31 previously unreleased tracks and material from the Summit Club, all packaged with a substantial 76-page full-color book. For listeners who want context as well as music, the essays and introduction make this a documentary-grade set.

Key Features

• Comprehensive audio coverage: The 12 CD set gathers the most complete collection of Wattstax recordings available, giving listeners extended access to the 1972 event and related performances.
• Previously unreleased tracks: Thirty-one newly available tracks expand the historical record and add material that collectors and fans will find essential to understanding the event's full scope.
• Summit Club and additional material: Inclusion of Summit Club recordings and extra performances provides wider context beyond the Coliseum concert and enriches the listening experience.
• 76-page full-color book: The included book offers photos and curated essays that enhance understanding of Wattstax and its cultural impact, useful for both casual listeners and researchers.
• Essays and introduction: Commentary by Wattstax creator Al Bell plus essays by Rob Bowman and A. Scott Galloway situate the event historically and musically, adding authoritative voices to the package.

Who It's For

This box set is best for collectors of soul and funk, historians of 20th-century American music, and fans of Stax-era artists who want archival depth and contextual material. The breadth of recordings and the book make it a reference piece for home libraries and music scholars.

Listeners who prefer a lightweight greatest-hits compilation or a single-disc experience may want to look elsewhere, since this is a multi-disc archival release designed for long-form listening and study rather than casual playback or single-track convenience.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extensive archival content consolidates the most complete Wattstax audio into one set for deep listening and research.
• Thirty-one previously unreleased tracks add genuine new material for collectors and fans.
• The 76-page full-color book and expert essays provide valuable historical context and documentation.

Cons

• The 12 CD format is large and best suited to collectors; casual listeners may find it more than they need.

Specifications

Product	Soul'd Out: The Complete Wattstax Collection
Format	12 CD box set
Label	Stax Records / Craft Recordings
New material	31 previously unreleased tracks
Book	76-page full-color book with essays and introduction
Essays	Introduction by Al Bell; essays by Rob Bowman and A. Scott Galloway

Our Verdict

Soul'd Out is a meticulously compiled archival release that will satisfy collectors and anyone seeking a deep dive into the Wattstax event; the combination of unreleased tracks, Summit Club material, and a substantial book makes it strong value for those who appreciate historical depth and context.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this set include unreleased recordings?
Yes. The collection includes 31 previously unreleased tracks alongside the main Wattstax recordings and additional Summit Club material.

Is there any written material included?
Yes. The box set contains a 76-page full-color book with an introduction by Al Bell and new essays by Rob Bowman and A. Scott Galloway.

Who produced this release?
The set is presented by Stax Records and released through Craft Recordings as a comprehensive archival compilation.