THE STAPLE SINGERS - I'll Take You There

In 1965, former DJ Al Bell joined with Stax Records, and by in 1969 he became the label's vice president and co-owner. In the early 1970's, Bell's brother was shot and killed. When he returned home from his brother's funeral, he sat down and penned the gospel soul song I'll Take You There. He gave the song to long-time friends the Staple Singers, and had them record it with the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section in Alabama. The Staple Singers released the song on their 1972 Bell-produced Be Altitude: Respect Yourself album. It was the first number on song for the soul and gospel family band. The song's intro and other elements are heavily based on The Liquidator - a reggae instrumental track from 1969. Bell had purchased the record on one of his many trips to Jamaica, and he had played it to the band during the recording sessions as an example of a sound he was looking for. The band thought that the record was a demo that Bell had made, and they copied the song. It was not until several years later that the band realized they had copied an existing song.