Booker T & The MG's - Green Onions / Chinese Checkers

Year Released: 1962 (Single - A-side: "Green Onions", B-side: "Chinese Checkers")
Genre: Instrumental Soul, R&B, Funk.
Detailed Description Containing Key Facts: "Green Onions" is the seminal instrumental track by Booker T. & The M.G.'s, released in 1962, becoming an instant classic and a cornerstone of instrumental soul music. This iconic song is built around Booker T. Jones's distinctive Hammond M3 organ riff, complemented by Steve Cropper's precise guitar licks, Donald "Duck" Dunn's smooth, melodic bassline, and Al Jackson Jr.'s impeccable drumming. Its simple yet incredibly effective groove laid the groundwork for countless soul, funk, and R&B recordings. The B-side, "Chinese Checkers," continues the band's signature instrumental approach, offering another example of their tight, cohesive musicianship and their ability to convey emotion and rhythm without vocals. Both tracks are foundational to the Stax Records sound and have influenced generations of musicians.