Memphis' guitar stylist Albert King (born Albert Nelson) coined a strident propulsive phrasing language that emphasized tonal dynamics rather than melody, while, at the same time, fusing soul and blues in Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong (1961) and the stellar performances backed by Booker T. & the MG's: Laundromat Blues (1966), Crosscut Saw (1967), Born Under a Bad Sign (1967), Cold Feet (1967).

One of his best albums is the live Blues Power, recorded in 1968, that includes a 10-minute version of Blues Power and the instrumental Look Out.

His bandleader Eddie Fisher was a jazzier guitarist, based in St Louis (Missouri), who recorded The Third Cup (1969), including his signature instrumental as well as Oliver Lake's Two By Two (when Lake was not famous yet), The Next One Hundred Years (1970), which includes the 12-minute Beautiful Things, and Hot Lunch (1973).