The final live performance of Diana Ross with The Supremes – with titles that include "TCB", "It's Alright With Me", "The Impossible Dream", "Someday We'll Be Together", and "Love Child" – as well as some spoken bits from Diana, and a few nice medley tracks too! LP, Vinyl record album

A great little album from Diana Ross – maybe one of her lesser-known efforts with The Supremes, and a set that really points the way towards the solo years to come! One of the reasons for that is that the set really just features Diana out in the lead, with different backing singers behind – all the great songs from the show, but recast with these sophisticated soul arrangements by Gil Askey – very groovy, very Motown, but also with a lot stronger focus on Ross upfront than usual! In a way, the shift is a fantastic nod to Diana's growing role as a star – really claiming her as the black Streisand, a position that she's clearly confident with, and maybe even beats Barbara on the vocal tip too. Titles include "Funny Girl", "The Music That Makes Me Dance", "Don't Rain On My Parade", "People", "Cornet Man", "His Love Makes Me Beautiful", "Sadie Sadie", and "I'm The Greatest Star" – the last of which would make a nice theme song for Diana's 70s years! LP, Vinyl record album

A great little album from Diana Ross – maybe one of her lesser-known efforts with The Supremes, and a set that really points the way towards the solo years to come! One of the reasons for that is that the set really just features Diana out in the lead, with different backing singers behind – all the great songs from the show, but recast with these sophisticated soul arrangements by Gil Askey – very groovy, very Motown, but also with a lot stronger focus on Ross upfront than usual! In a way, the shift is a fantastic nod to Diana's growing role as a star – really claiming her as the black Streisand, a position that she's clearly confident with, and maybe even beats Barbara on the vocal tip too. Titles include "Funny Girl", "The Music That Makes Me Dance", "Don't Rain On My Parade", "People", "Cornet Man", "His Love Makes Me Beautiful", "Sadie Sadie", and "I'm The Greatest Star" – the last of which would make a nice theme song for Diana's 70s years! This expanded version not only marks the first time the record has been on CD – it also features both the stereo and the mono mixes of the record – plus the original recording of the album, with Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong – the real Supremes recording of the set! There's also five more bonus tracks – "Cornet Man (alt)", "His Love Makes Me Beautiful (alt)", "Sadie Sadie (alt)", "I'm The Greatest Star (live TCB outtake)", and "My Man (live)". CD

One of the odder 60s LPs from the Supremes, the soundtrack to a film that starred the group, with some guest appearances by The Temptations – in Motown-show versions of tracks that often feature the singers lapsing into medleys of other tunes, or doing some popular hits of the day. Titles include "Respect", "Somewhere", "Stop In The Name Of Love", "TCB", "For Once In My Life", "Hello Young Lovers", "I Hear A Symphony", and "The Impossible Dream". LP, Vinyl record album

Motown's second pairing of its two biggest groups of the late 60s – a massive 7-voiced meeting in soul music, with results that are surprisingly great! Frank Wilson produced the whole set, and he does a good job of keeping all players in check – never letting the whole thing get too gimmicky, and managing to convey a sound that brings the best of both groups to the table. Titles include "Sing A Simple Song", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", "Why", "For Better Or For Worse", "I'll Be Doggone", "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing", and a great Motown remake "My Guy My Girl", which features both versions of the hit coming together! LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Overlooked greatness from the late 60s years of The Supremes! Cream Of The Crop may not have been a huge hit for The Supremes, but the record has the group handling a variety of interesting work – mostly done in modes that bring the best Motown styles of the 60s into closer contact with the label's more expansive sound to come in the 70s! There's a really nice balance here, handled by a cream of the crop set of arrangers that includes Wade Marcus, David Van DePitte, and Paul Riser – on titles that include "Someday We'll Be Together", "You Gave Me Love", "Can't You See It's Me", "Young Folks", "The Beginning Of The End", "Till Johnny Comes", and "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever". LP, Vinyl record album

Symphonic soul from The Supremes – a set that still has the trio working with the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland team, but with a full set of orchestral backings that help them hit even more class and sophistication than before! The ballads have these really lush arrangements – never too pop, but swelling with strings that lift up the young voice of Diana Ross in a really regal way – with a style that helps transform familiar numbers from other singers, and really make them some proud musical statements of her own. These arrangements hang on through most of the record, but are often augmented by these cool vibes that bring in a slight jazzy undercurrent – and titles include the classic "I Hear A Symphony" – plus "Stranger In Paradise", "Unchained Melody", "Without A Song", "A Lover's Concerto", "My World Is Empty Without You", and "He's All I Got". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer from the early days of The Supremes – and way more than you'd guess from the "hits" in the title! The record's not really a roundup of the hit singles already out on 45 – and is actually just an apt title for what the album was destined to be – a stone hit that really put these Motown legends on the map! Production is by the Holland/Dozier/Holland team – with a marvelous wall of sound-style groove that really pushes the vocals forward tremendously – that brilliant all-in Motown mode of the best early years, where the Detroit studio was working overtime to make things sound amazing. Titles include the massive hit "Stop! In The Name Of Love" – but the whole thing's a solid effort with no filler, and other cuts include "I'm In Love Again", "He Holds His Own", "Whisper You Love Me Boy", "The Only Time I'm Happy", "Nothing But Heartaches", "Honey Boy", and "Back In My Arms Again". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the biggest charting LPs by The Supremes – and one of the best, too! The girls are opening it up a bit here – getting in on some of The Miracles Go Go action of the period, and laying down tunes that have a bit more of a northern groove to them – relying a bit more on a more steady overall groove than the hugely catchy choruses of some of their biggest hits. A groovy record – with a tight theme! Titles include "These Boots Are Made For Walking", "I Can't Help Myself", "Get Ready", "Money", "Hang On Sloopy", "Come & Get These Memories", "Shake Me, Wake Me", and "Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart". CD

The Supremes take on the classy Copa nightclub – and really bring down the house with a stunning mix of warmth, charm, and soul! The record's perhaps one of the "livest" of Motown live albums from the time – done in a spread-out style that features a lot more songs than some of their other live records, really giving the full scope of the show at the club. Plus, there's lots of crowd noise, bits of speaking from the girls, and an overall approach that's fluid and natural – very much a concert on record! Titles include "The Boy From Ipanema", "Put On A Happy Face", "I Am Woman", "Baby Love", "Sam Cooke Medley", "Queen Of The House", and "Back In My Arms Again". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest Supremes albums of the 70s – a rare live Japanese session that wasn't even issued in the US at the time! The album follows strongly in the spirit of the other Motown Japanese live sets of the time – with really tight backings behind the group on stage, and a powerful, spontaneous sound that really seems to take off even more strongly than the studio albums. The girls' vocals are great – and really nicely unfettered on some of the tunes – stepping out with strong leads and soulful harmonies that are a good reminder that the group was still burning strong at this point. Titles include "Stoned Love", "TCB", "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You", "Bad Weather", "Cherry Cherry", and "Somewhere". CD

Taiwanese compilation including early 60s hits, somehow with Japanese liner notes on the back cover. LP, Vinyl record album

A strange twist for the girls – not really because the material's country, but because the tunes selected are the kind of country tunes that would often be done in kind of a deep soul mode. There's still a sparkling quality on the album – and the girls' approach to the tunes is less Ivory Joe Hunter country soul than it is Brook Benton uptown style. Still, it's quite a different album for the Supremes – and surprisingly nice! Titles include "Funny How Time Slips Away", "My Heart Can't Take it No More", "Tears In Vain", "Sunset", "You Need Me", and "It Makes No Difference Now". LP, Vinyl record album

Classier than usual for the girls – as they move over to Broadway for a set of tracks penned by the Rodgers & Hart team, done up in a smooth Motown style that was probably designed to crossover, but which did so less than some of their straighter soul work. Still, even though the idea's flawed, the album gives Diana and the girls a good chance to show off their jazz chops – and tunes include "The Lady Is A Tramp", "Mountain Greenery", "This Can't Be Love", "Lover", "My Romance", "Dancing On The Ceiling", and "Falling In Love With Love". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

A follow-up to 1970s pairing of The Supremes and The Four Tops – titled The Magnificent Seven (hence the title on this one!) – and done in a very similar mode. Back in the Diana Ross days, the Supremes had paired up with The Temptations on 2 great sets – and now, at a time in the 70s when both The Supremes and The Four Tops were a bit less successful on the charts, it's clear that Motown was trying to find some direction for them both. The approach isn't bad, although a bit forcedly "classy" at times, in a mode that hearkens back more to Motown 60s than some of the better directions both of these groups would take in the 70s – especially The Four Tops. Titles include "I'm Glad About It", "Let's Make Love Now", "What Do You Have To Do", "Where Would I Be Without You Baby", "I'll Try Not To Cry", and "Call Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Features 26 tracks including lots of unreleased material. CD

A massive 3LP set that brings together most of the best work recorded by Diana Ross & The Supremes for Motown – done in the lavish style that Motown used in these deep Anthology series in the 70s! Each side of each record has a different theme, and the package also features dates for most of the material – making it a handy way to trace the evolution of the group's style. Titles include "You Send Me", "Love Child", "Reflections", "The Happening", "You Keep Me Hanging On", "My World Is Empty Without You", "Where Did Our Love Go", "Baby Love", "Ask Any Girl", "I Hear A Symphony", "Love Is Here & Now You're Gone", "I'm Livin In Shame", "No Matter What Sign You Are", and "Someday We'll Be Together". LP, Vinyl record album

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

Two sides by this obscure vocal group – both produced by Donny Hathaway! "If You Had" has a sweet early 70s groove – midtempo with a nice kick in the drums, and the group's sweet lovely vocals over the top, almost in a post-Supremes mode. "What Is Life" is slower and more of a ballad – a good late nite number, with a style that reminds us a bit of The Lovelites, but even catchier! 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great early solo set from Diana Ross – a record that still has some great echoes of her work with The Supremes, but an even bolder frontline approach on vocals! Most tracks here still have other female voices backing Ross up – some un-credited Supremes-esque vocals that really help sweeten up the record, and make for a great transition from the earlier years. Production is by Hal Davis and Deke Richards of The Corporation – both of whom start pushing in some more sophisticated elements to the sound – lilting rhythms and soaring strings, but always used in moderation – so that most of the tunes still have that sweetly stepping groove that was associated with Ross' best work of the late 60s. There's some really great songs on the set – including the excellent title track "Everything Is Everything", which has a bouncing little hook, and the wonderful "Doobedood'ndoobe", an original by Deke Richards with a nice set of changes! Other titles include "I Love You", "How About You", "My Place", "Ain't No Sad Song", and "Baby It's Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Pretty great Christmas sounds from Diana Ross – very different than her famous Motown Holiday work with The Supremes – and instead a record that balances her nicely between jazz styles and more sophisticated vocal sounds! There's relatively full arrangements on most tracks – and a handful even feature the London Symphony Orchestra – but Ross really keeps her charm, and is never overwhelmed by the setting – and instead, really seems to rise to the moment with both a sense of majesty inherent to the season, but also just the right degree of warmth to make things right. Titles include "Wonderful Christmas Time", "His Eye Is On The Sparrow", "Let It Snow", "The Christmas Song", "Overjoyed", "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)", "I Heard The Bells", and "It's Christmas Time". CD

Pretty great Christmas sounds from Diana Ross – very different than her famous Motown Holiday work with The Supremes – and instead a record that balances her nicely between jazz styles and more sophisticated vocal sounds! There's relatively full arrangements on most tracks – and a handful even feature the London Symphony Orchestra – but Ross really keeps her charm, and is never overwhelmed by the setting – and instead, really seems to rise to the moment with both a sense of majesty inherent to the season, but also just the right degree of warmth to make things right. Titles include "Wonderful Christmas Time", "His Eye Is On The Sparrow", "Let It Snow", "The Christmas Song", "Overjoyed", "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)", "I Heard The Bells", and "It's Christmas Time". LP, Vinyl record album

A surprisingly great album from these two former member of The Supremes – Scherrie Payne & Susaye Greene-Brown – put together with production help from Eugene McDaniels, who really helps give the whole thing a hipper spin than some of the girls' more famous work from before! There's a slight Minnie Riperton touch to the vocals a times – a really great sense of range – and the best tracks have a warm modern soul vibe that really lets the girls move forward strongly, especially at the few points when there's an undercurrent of funk. The material's arranged by Alan Silvestri, Odell Brown, and Leon Pendarvis – and the whole thing's definitely not the usual 70s bag from Motown. Titles include "You've Been Good To Me", "Luvbug", "I Found Another Love", and "Leaving Me Was The Best Thing You've Ever Done". CD

An incredible treasure trove of Motown soul – more recordings than we could have imagined by the legendary Velvelettes! The group were one of Motown's first girl groups in the early days – and although they never broke as big as The Supremes or Vandellas, they've got a great sound that's almost a rougher take on the female sound of Detroit at the time. The Velvelettes are best remembered by a few key singles, but as this set shows, the girls recorded an incredible amount of music for Motown – working surprisingly often in the studios during the mid 60s, on a large number of tracks that have never been released! This extremely well-done collection features a whopping 48 titles in all – including 5 numbers from a rare live show from 1964, 4 rare French singles, and a huge batch of previously unissued tunes, alternate mixes, and obscure singles! Titles include "Selfish Lover", "Should I Tell Them", "Needle In A Haystack", "Let You Live A Little Bit Longer (alternate)", "I'm The Exception To The Rule", "Why Must You Go", "The Boy From Crosstown (alternate)", "He's The One", "Ain't No Place Like Motown", "Your Heart Belongs To Me", "Seasons Greetings From Motown 1966", "The Monkey Time", and "Le Hokey Pokey". CD

Seminal spy sounds from the 60s – a treasure trove of spy-themed tunes, and one that features loads of material you might not hear otherwise! The set doesn't feature the big hits from the James Bond films, and instead includes all the great little records that sprung up in the wake of those movies – cool jazz, vocal, and instrumental records that sometimes feature weird reworkings of more famous soundtrack numbers, sometimes lesser-known cuts from b-grade films, and sometimes fresh new spy numbers on their own! The style ranges from groovy guitar numbers to blaring jazzy tracks to slinky steppers that find a very cool balance between suspense and swing. Titles include "Dr Goldfoot & The Bikini Machine" by The Supremes, "The Last Of The Secret Agents" by Nancy Sinatra, "Theme From Danger Man" by Red Price, "A Man Alone" by John Barry, "Deadlier Than The Male" by The Walker Brothers, "Burke's Law" by Wynton Kelly, "We Should've" by Cleo Laine, "Our Man Flint" by Billy Strange, "Theme From Where The Spies Are" by Jimmy Smith, "The Liquidator" by Shirley Bassey, "I Spy" by Roland Shaw, "Come Spy With Me" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and "High Wire" by Brian Fahey. CD

An early entry into the CD box set format – and a classic collection that features 104 tracks by 36 key artists from Motown Records! Music from Barrett Strong, the Miracles, Eddie Holland, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops, Martha & the Vandellas, Kim Weston, the Elgins, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Gladys Knight & the Pips, David Ruffin, Edwin Starr, Rare Earth, the Spinners, Jackson 5, the Supremes & much more. CD

16 Motown hits, including "I'm Still Waiting" by Diana Ross, "We Can Work It Out" by Stevie Wonder, "Never Can Say Goodbye" by Jackson 5, "River Deep, Mountain High" by Supremes and Four Tops, "Just My Imagination" by The Temptations, and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Second UK volume in this series of Motown compilations aimed at the dancefloor – and in spite of the tile, the material here is more soul than disco, but definitely more in the dance vein than the get your groove on side of things. Not exactly disco, but solid all the way through, with 12 numbers in all, including "Slippery When Wet" by the Commodores, "Don't Knock My Love" by Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye, "Keep On Truckin'" by Eddie Kendricks, "Forever Came Today" by the Jackson 5, "Glasshouse" by the Temptations, "Love Power" by Willie Hutch, "Where Do I Go From Here" by the Supremes, "Virgin Man" by Smokey Robinson, and "Do It Baby" by the Miracles. LP, Vinyl record album

A great EU-only collection that features on a key Motown moment in the mid-60s – 36 tracks by artists who include The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Isley Brothers, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Shorty Long, Marvelettes, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Edwin Starr, Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers, R Dean Taylor, The Temptations, Jr Walker & The All Stars, and Stevie Wonder. LP, Vinyl record album

A treasure trove of rare Motown from some of legendary label's most classic acts – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Four Tops, Brenda Holloway, Martha & The Vandellas, The Supremes, The Originals, Bobby Taylor, The Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye & The Jackson 5 – prime vintage late 60s to early 70s recordings that have barely if ever seen light of day! Motown recording artists put a lot of work into the recording side of their artistry back in the day, so there was a lot classic level material that didn't come out right away, some finding release on later compilations or on box sets, some STILL just now seeing release. Half of this dozen song collection have never come out in any form until now – including "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" by The Originals and stereo mixes of "For Once In My Life" by Diana Ross & The Supremes, "Pretty Little Brown Skin Girl" by The Temptations and "Touched By Love" by Bobby Taylor and more – plus the rarities "You're Walking Out With My Heart" by Brenda Holloway, "Which Way Is The Sky" by the Four Tops, "Let's Have A Party" by the J5, "The Boy From Crosstown" (Version 1) by The Marvelettes and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A great tribute to the songwriting skills of Laura Nyro – presented here in a package that features key covers from some of Nyro's contemporaries, and which also includes a surprising amount of soul music too! Laura's one of those key 60s talents who started writing for others, then got the chance to spread her wings on her own – and while her own recordings have really continued to reach new audiences over the decades, it's great to have a package like this to remind us of Nyro's songwriting roots! The set's mostly heavy on material from the late 60s and early 70s – with a fair bit of female soul tunes in the mix – and it also includes a few more contemporary numbers that come as a nice surprise. Like others in Ace's "songwriter" series, the production and packaging is great – and titles include "Stoney End" by The Blossoms, "Time & Love" by The Supremes, "Wedding Bell Blues" by Bobby Gentry, "Captain St Lucifer" by Melba Moore, "Save The Country" by Thelma Houston, "Lazy Susan" by Liane Carroll, "He's A Runner" by Mama Cass, "Buy & Sell" by Nnena Freelon, "Lonely Women" by Linda Hoyle, "Eli's Coming" by Friends Of Distinction, and "Stoned Soul Picnic" by Staple Singers. CD

A really classic collection – expanded here with lots of bonus tracks too – all to focus on the best sounds of the early years of Motown! The set's not R&B at all – but it is an important 1964 UK release of vintage Motown material – put on the overseas market after the Beatles, Stones, and other English groups were dipping into the world of motor city soul for their own recordings – which meant that it was more than time enough for some of the original tracks to their a new level of exposure! Motown maybe shaped the sound of rock in the UK even more than it did over here – and this collection is also a great portrait of the key core of artists who made the label so great at the start, before the company started branching out to bring other artists into the roster. Titles include "Money" by Barrett Strong, "Shop Around" and "I Don't Want To Take A Chance" by Mary Wells, "Way Over There" and "The One Who Really Loves You" by The Marvelettes, "Everybody's Gotta Pay Some Dues" and "I'll Try Something New" by The Miracles, "Mocking Bird" by Martha & The Vandellas, and "Let Me Go The Right Way" by The Supremes". The original 14 track album has been expanded to 28 cuts here – with bonus material that includes "Hitch Hike" and "Pride & Joy" by Marvin Gaye, "Please Mr Postman" and "I Want A Guy" by The Marvelettes, "Shake Sherry" by The Contours, "Oh I Apologize" by Barrett Strong, "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" and "I've Been Good To You" by The Miracles, "I Found Myself A Brand New Baby" by Mike & The Modifiers, "You Beat Me To The Punch" by Mary Wells, and "I Found A Girl" by The Valadiers. CD

A stunner of a solo album from Diana Ross – one that has her working beautifully with the team of Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson – really taking off here into some wonderful new territory! The Ashford & Simpson sound is very much in place here – a soaring, joyous approach to the music that comes across with a bit more depth and maturity than Ross' earlier music with The Supremes – a great springboard for her solo years in the 70s, although without some of the overindulgence of later recordings. Paul Riser handled the arrangements – with that tight mix of strings and soul that made him one of Motown's greatest assets in the early 70s – and he still leaves plenty of space for Diana's vocals to come across with a breathy, personal sort of quality. Almost all tunes were penned by Ashford & Simpson – and titles include "Surrender", "I Can't Give Back The Love I Fell For You", "And If You See Him", "I'm A Winner", "Didn't You Know", "I'll Settle For You", "Remember Me", and "All The Befores". LP, Vinyl record album

Hard grooving surf pop from the early-to-mid 60s – and this one's from the ladies – sun soaked, pulpy surf and drag strip rockers featuring The Honeys, Donna Loren, The Surfettes, Andrea Carroll, The Westwoods, Ellie Gee & The Jets, Dee Dee Sharp, Little Pattie & The Statesmen and many more! The solo and girl group vocals are a great mix of sweetness and rebelliousness, and the same could be said for the songs – which also masterfully mix knowing kitsch and genuine rockers. Players, producers and arrangers include Gary Usher, Lee Hazlewood, Hal Blaine and David Axelrod – and in Ace Records tradition, it comes with a thick booklet of great notes & photos. Titles include "Pray For Surf" & "Shoot The Curl" by The Honeys, "Cycle Set" by Donna Loren, "Surfer's Playmate" by The Fleetwoods, "Drag Race Johnny" by Little Pattie & The Statesmen, "Your Baby's Gone Surfin'" by Duane Eddy & The Rebellettes, "Don't Drag No More" by Susan Lynne, "Surfer Boy" by The Supremes, "Rod Hot Rod" by The King Pins", "Red Corvette" by Ellie Gee & The Jets and many more. 25 in all! CD

Christmas Motown in all of its glory – a huge collection that features a whopping 46 tracks in all – most of them Holiday classics from the earliest years of the label, plus just a few important Christmas tunes from more recent years too! Almost all the work here is by Motown superstars – and titles include "Silver Bells", "Children's Christmas Song", "Joy To the World", and "My Favorite Things" by The Supremes; "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", "Frosty The Snowman", "Up On The House Top", "Christmas Medley", and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by The Jackson 5; "Let It Snow" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by The Miracles; "The Little Drummer Boy" and "My Christmas Tree" by The Temptations; "Christmas Delight" and "Merry Christmas Baby" by The Four Tops; "Someday At Christmas" and "A Warm Little Home On A Hill" by Stevie Wonder; "Jesus Is Love" by The Commodores, "Little Christmas Tree" by Michael Jackson, "A Joyous Song" by Boyz II Men, "Wish You A Merry Christmas" by Kim Weston, "Give Love On Christmas Day" by Johnny Gill, and "Christmas Presence" by Gerald Alston with Shanice Wilson. CD

Jackie Wilson takes over the Copa – bringing his early soul styles to the New York elite – but a few years before The Supremes and other Motown artists got their chance! The album's got Wilson acting with great poise and grace, but still losing none of his vocal power at all – soaring, stretching on some numbers that begin with familiar standards, then move into more of Wilson's hits – kind of a progression from uptown to the party crowd over the course of the set. Sy Oliver handles the backings, and brings in some nice jazzy elements at times – and titles include "A Perfect Day", "Love For Sale", "Lonely Teardrops", "Doggin Around", "To Be Loved", "The Way I Am", and "I Love Them All". CD

Featuring Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Four Tops, Supremes, Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Spinners, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and more! LP, Vinyl record album