The MG's is a 1973 instrumental album recorded by the MG's for Stax Records. By 1973, leader/keyboardist Booker T. Jones and guitarist Steve Cropper were both estranged from Stax and residing full-time in Los Angeles, so remaining members Donald "Duck" Dunn and Al Jackson, Jr. recruited Bobby Manuel and Carson Whitsett to replace Cropper and Jones respectively to help them record the album.Bowman, Rob (1997). Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records. New York: Schirmer Trade. p. 302-303.
Billed as "the MG's" since Jones was not involved with the project, the group released two singles, "Sugarcane/Blackside" and "Neckbone/Breezy" (the b-side was a non-album cut). The singles and the album were not commercially successful, but were critically well received. The album included an instrumental cover of the Spinners' "One of a Kind (Love Affair)".
By 1975, Jones and Cropper agreed to reform the original lineup with Jackson and Dunn, but just days before their scheduled reunion, Jackson was murdered at his home in Memphis, Tennessee.Bowman, Rob. (1997). p. 364
Track listing All tracks composed by Donald "Duck" Dunn, Al Jackson, Jr., Bobby Manuel, Carson Whitsett; except where indicated
Side one "Sugarcane" (3:06) (David Madden) "Neckbone" (3:25) "Spare Change" (3:51) "Leaving the Past" (7:18)
Side two "Left Overs (Bucaramanga)" (2:59) (Luiz, Sainz, Serrano) "Blackside" (3:57) "One of a Kind (Love Affair)" (3:21) (Joseph B. Jefferson) "Frustration" (6:22)
Personnel The M.G.s Bobby Manuel – electric guitar, classical guitar, acoustic guitar Carson Whitsett – piano, Hammond organ, clavinet, Fender Rhodes, celesta Donald Dunn – bass guitar Al Jackson Jr. – drums, percussion
Notes