CD-Charts Position 191
Average Rating:

Give Love at Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: The Temptations

Release Date August 09, 2000
Product was just what I wanted to order, came in excellent condition, and price was not out of line.

CD-Charts Position 192
Average Rating:

The Four Tops - Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: The Four Tops

Release Date October 04, 1999
After reading the reviews for this album calling it an imitation, I was a bit confused. The album was published in Germany in 1999. As I don't know much about the laws of public domain for music in Germany, I originally thought that this album was not the Tops themselves, but a totally different group covering the songs. But when another reviewer said it was an older group of Tops, I had to pick it up. It is indeed the real Four Tops. Levi Stubbs' voice is unmistakable, and still very strong. It's very possible these are some of, if not the last recordings of Levi with the Tops (minus the live appearances on the 50th anniversary and Stardust DVDs). I'm stunned that they re-recorded all of these hits, and I'd love to know the musicians on it, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 193
Average Rating:

The Essential Selection

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: The Contours

Release Date March 06, 2000
If you think the Supremes bordered on Muzak compared to most of the Motown acts, the Contours are for you. This is as raw a product as Motown let out, especially the cuts without the big production treatment. And that's what's so cool about it. Bass (presumably the great James Jamerson), drums, piano, and the beefiest, punchiest harmonies - the feel of a low-ceiling smokey scary little club. This is R&B at its rawest and purest, performed with just enough artistry and production to put across the BEAT, but not too perfect or too embroidered. And the unheralded jewel of this album is Move Mr. Man, an incredibly daring and imaginative arrangement that would be astonishing even today. The drummer uses only brushes, but this cut has a chugging locomotive ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 194
Average Rating:

Love Will Find Its Own Way: The Best of Gladys Knight & the Pips

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: Gladys Knight & the Pips

Release Date July 16, 2007
They were a significant force in American popular music for nearly three decades. Over the course of their storied career Gladys Knight and the Pips would master a variety of genres and experience a remarkable degree of chart success. Over the years there have been any number of fine compilations of the music of this legendary group. Now in 2007, Sony/Buddah has released "Love Will Find It's Own Way: The Best of Gladys Knight and the Pips". This is a terrific collection that is sure to be embraced by both long-time fans like myself and those uninitiated folks who are curious to learn just what made this group so darn special.
Count 'em. During their remarkable run Gladys Knight and the Pips hit the Billboard Hot 100 Pop charts a total of 40 times. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 195
Average Rating:

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Stevie Wonder

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date March 22, 2005
While you may want to pick and choose his 70s and later stuff on iTunes. This CD is the perfect early Stevie Wonder collection. Not a bad track here. Give it a listen and you'll know why he was given his stage name.

CD-Charts Position 196
Average Rating:

Diana Ross

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: Diana Ross

Release Date March 26, 2002
Diana Ross' first solo record, released in 1970, features sophisticated tunes backed by the Funk Brothers at the very top of their game. This, along with Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," is one of the most influential recordings for me as a bass player.

The bonus tracks are a gem as well - it is a trip to hear some of the tunes that I came to know as the versions recorded by The Fifth Dimension, with Diana's and Motown's interpretation.

Check out the build up about 5 minutes into "Ain't No Mountain..." You can get a better feel for the sheer genius that was James Jamerson on the "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" soundtrack CD (Deluxe Edition), but it is nice to hear it in the full perspective here.

CD-Charts Position 197
Average Rating:

Triumph

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: The Jacksons

Release Date October 25, 1990
This was the transition album for the Jacksons from the kid stuff to the more powerful music Michael and his brothers would make later.
"Lovely One" and others are nice, but "This Place Hotel" (Heartbreak Hotel) is ahead of its time, and easily would have been another hit on Thriller or Victory. I wish Michael would tweak this one with a "new school" artist like he did with Thriller.
You can see Michael already priming the pump for Thriller and songs like "Beat It", "Thriller", and "Billie Jean" with this song.
Say what you will about Michael, his music still is powerful. I still have students who love it.
A must have.

CD-Charts Position 198
Average Rating:

The Story of the Supremes

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: The Supremes

Release Date July 15, 2008
This was the transition album for the Jacksons from the kid stuff to the more powerful music Michael and his brothers would make later.
"Lovely One" and others are nice, but "This Place Hotel" (Heartbreak Hotel) is ahead of its time, and easily would have been another hit on Thriller or Victory. I wish Michael would tweak this one with a "new school" artist like he did with Thriller.
You can see Michael already priming the pump for Thriller and songs like "Beat It", "Thriller", and "Billie Jean" with this song.
Say what you will about Michael, his music still is powerful. I still have students who love it.
A must have.

CD-Charts Position 199
Average Rating:

Rare Earth in Concert

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: Rare Earth

Release Date August 24, 1989
Black light posters, lava lamps, incense and Get Ready. What a combination and what memories! I saw Rare Earth several years ago and they were playing the songs off of the live album and it sounded great. This is definately a classic and a keeper! If you can find a CD, don't hesitate to get it. It will only increase in value.

Oh, if you want to read the liner notes, you'll have to find the LP. There's none on the CD. That's the only downer on the CD.

CD-Charts Position 200
Average Rating:

One Heartbeat

CD-Charts > Music > Motown
by: Smokey Robinson

Release Date November 14, 2000
No serious collection of Smokey Robinson music would be complete without the title track from this album and "Just To See Her," which have enough staying power to give this album 4 stars instead of 3, but nothing else on this album even comes close to matching the greatness of those two.