Frederick Knight

Most Southern soul aficionados would put the epicenter of the sound in Memphis' Stax Studio, but this collection makes a compelling case that Midfield, Ala., was a second capitol. Plumber-turned-producer Neal Hemphill creates a sound that's raw, stirring and generally upbeat. Check out Frederick Knight's bluesy vamp "Here After I'm Hereafter," which possibly has the most Zen-like title ever to grace a soul tune, or Sam Dees' rambling, bumpkin ballad "Train to Tampa," which recalls Aretha's "Last Train to Georgia."