New UK Motown CD's from Universal/Spectrum Music

Mary Wells

From the first lady of Motown in celebration of Motown50 comes this twenty track CD featuring all of Mary's early hits at Hitsville. Sadly she never made it past 1964 after reputedly leaving Berry Gordy's Motown empire on the promise of bigger and better things at 20th Century and although she did record some very nice songs there they never quite matched the songs that Smokey Robinson wrote for her. Had she had stayed at Motown she would without question have gone from strength to strength and post '64' would have delivered the most amazing songs alongside Kim Weston and Brenda Holloway. She did however help to lay down the Motown sound during her stay there and her most notable hits are included here such as her biggest hit 'My Guy' , 'What's Easy For Two' 'Two Lovers' 'The One Who Really Loves You' and her duet with Marvin Gaye 'Once Upon A Time. For the average listener Mary's work is seen as nothing more than a one hit wonder in My Guy - we know different and this collection of songs serves as a reminder of the lady's greatly missed talent.

See Mary Wells singing My Guy

Diana Ross & the Supremes

This latest set of songs repeats a number of tracks that are on other CD compilations but does have some very interesting album cuts and covers that you don't always see on these middle of the road issues. Opening with their version of 'This Old Heart Of Mine' before moving onto Martha Reeves' classic hit 'Heatwave'. Plenty more cover versions here with 'What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted' and Jerry Butler's 'Hey Western Union Man', 'Get Ready' and 'Unchained Melody' but to name a few. Classic Supremes hits are here too with 'Someday We'll Be Together' Reflections' from 1967 and 'Forever Came Today' from a year later. If you get the chance check out Mary Wilson's Supremes wardrobe currently touring the UK and Europe containing some fantastic costumes and memorabilia worn by the girls during the 60/70's.

See Diana Ross & Supremes performing

Lionel Ritchie & the Commodores

Never my favourite group at Motown although undeniably massive in every aspect. Burst onto the scene back in 1974 upon the release of numerous funk oriented singles such as the funky instrumental 'Machine Gun' which generated a lot of interest at dance floor level across the UK at the time as well as follow up releases such as 'I Feel Sanctified' and the northern soul track 'The Zoo' which found fame and fortune at Wigan casino at that time. 'Brickhouse' continued the funky grooves but the group were harbouring a superstar in singer Lionel Ritchie who eventually went solo and released a string of love and pop dance hits making him Motown's most successful male solo artist of all time. This collection presents solo hits from Ritchie including 'Hello' 'Endless Love' with label mate Diana Ross and the fabulous love song 'Say You, Say Me'. Some of these songs are featured as 12" extended mixes such as 'Sweet Love' and 'Nightshift' which became a massive tune for the group post Ritchie. Good timing from Spectrum at a time when Lionel is about to tour the UK.

See the Commodores performing Machine Gun