Doin' Our Thing
Booker T. & the M.G.'s · 1968
34 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A seamless blend of soul and jazz, fueled by fluid grooves and infectious melodies that invite listeners to the dance floor.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Expressway (To Your Heart) — This track stands out for its catchy melody and rhythm, showcasing the band's ability to reinterpret popular songs while maintaining their unique instrumental flair.
-
→
You Keep Me Hanging On — The band's rendition transforms this classic into an instrumental powerhouse, highlighting their signature blend of improvisation and tight arrangement that captures listeners' attention.
-
→
Doin’ Our Thing — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, with its engaging groove and sophisticated arrangements illustrating the group's mastery of blending genres.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong grooves and melodies but lacks the depth for lasting impact.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms and layered instrumentation, creating a rich, danceable groove throughout.
- Each track maintains a mid-tempo pace, with several songs incorporating call-and-response elements between instruments.
- The last three tracks shift to more contemplative melodies, providing a contrast to the upbeat nature of earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady groove for social gatherings
- easy background for relaxed moments
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- short tracks with vibrant energy
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, complex compositions
- seek heavy emotional intensity
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Doin' Our Thing' was released in January 1968, Booker T. & the M.G.'s had established themselves as the house band for Stax Records, following their breakout success with the album 'Green Onions' in 1962. This album showcases their evolution into a versatile ensemble, reflecting both their instrumental prowess and a growing confidence in arranging popular songs.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Funk Brothers· Booker T. Jones· The Meters
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
You Keep Me Hanging On
The instrumental bridge features a dynamic shift where horns swell dramatically, creating tension before returning to the familiar melody.
This moment exemplifies the band's ability to build anticipation through orchestration, enhancing emotional depth without needing lyrics.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Can Dig It 2:42
- 2 Expressway (To Your Heart) 3:05
- 3 Doin’ Our Thing 4:01
- 4 You Don’t Love Me 2:49
- 5 Never My Love 2:47
- 6 The Exodus Song 2:38
- 7 The Beat Goes On 2:39
- 8 Ode to Billie Joe 4:02
- 9 Blue on Green 2:28
- 10 You Keep Me Hanging On 4:50
- 11 Let’s Go Get Stoned 2:54
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.