"Gold" by LIONEL RICHIE/COMMODORES – Commodores Band and Solo Album Tracks from August 1974 to October 2000 on Motown Records (April 2006 UK Universal/Hip-O Select/Motown 2CD Anthology with Suha Gur Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Easy Like Sunday Morning..."

Cheap as chips and twice as cheerful - this is one of those Universal "Gold" 2CD sets that offers a lot of good Soul music for frankly zero outlay. Cleverly splitting Lionel Richie's hugely successful solo career with his earlier days fronting The Commodores hit machine (most tunes penned by him anyway) - you get a nice slice of both worlds. Here are the penny lovers and the all-night-long details...

UK released April 2006 - "Gold" by LIONEL RICHIE and THE COMMODORES on Universal/Hip-O Select/Motown 0602498879603 (Barcode 602498879603) is split between LIONEL RICHIE solo material and his career before that with THE COMMODORES and it breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (79:13 minutes):
1. All Night Long (All Night)
2. Penny Lover
3. Say You, Say Me
4. My Destiny
5. Running With The Night
6. Dancing On The Ceiling
7. Love Oh Love
8. Ballerina Girl
9. My Love
10. Love Will Conquer All
11. Do It To Me
12. Cinderella
13. Angel
14. Don't Wanna Lose You
15. Sweet Love - COMMODORES
16. Oh No - COMMODORES
Track 9 is from his debut solo LP "Lionel Richie", November 1982
Tracks 1, 2 and 5 are from his 2nd solo LP "Can't Slow Down", October 1983
Tracks 3, 6, 8 and 10 are from his 3rd solo LP "Dancing On The Ceiling", August 1986 - track 3 also appeared in the "White Nights" film soundtrack
Tracks 4, 7 and 11 are from his 4th solo LP "Back To Front", May 1992
Track 14 is from his 5th solo LP "Louder Than Words", April 1996
Tracks 12 and 13 are his 7th solo LP "Renaissance", October 2000
Track 15 is from The Commodores album "Movin' On", November 1975
Track 16 is from The Commodores album "In The Pocket", July 1981

Disc 2 (79:37 minutes):
1. Hello - LIONEL RICHIE
2. Endless Love - LIONEL RICHIE with DIANA ROSS
3. Three Times A Lady - COMMODORES
4. Sail On - COMMODORES
5. Stuck On You  - LIONEL RICHIE
6. You Are - LIONEL RICHIE
7. Truly - LIONEL RICHIE
8. Easy - COMMODORES
9. Still - COMMODORES
10. Just To Be Close To You - COMMODORES
11. Lady (You Bring Me Up) - COMMODORES
12. Machine Gun - COMMODORES
13. Brick House - COMMODORES
14. Too Hot Ta Trot - COMMODORES
15. Zoom - COMMODORES
16. Jesus Is Love - COMMODORES
Tracks 1 and 5 are from his 2nd solo LP "Can't Slow Down", October 1983
Track 2 is from the "Endless Love" Original Soundtrack LP, July 1981
Track 3 is from the Commodores album "Natural High", May 1978
Tracks 4 and 9 are from the Commodores album "Midnight Magic", August 1979
Tracks 6 and 7 are from his debut album "Lionel Richie", November 1982
Tracks 8, 13 and 15 are from the Commodores album "Commodores", April 1977
Track 10 is from the Commodores album "Hot On The Tracks", July 1976
Track 11 is from the Commodores album "In The Pocket", July 1981
Track 12 is from the Commodores album, "Machine Gun", August 1974
Track 14 is from the album "Commodores Live!", November 1977
Track 16 is from the album "Heroes", June 1980

The 16-page booklet features short but informative liner notes by STEVEN IVORY, colour photos from the album sessions and track-by-track credits. But the big news here is the SUHA GUR remasters lifting every track out of their former muddiness - great sound quality throughout.

His monster second album "Can't Slow Down" (which dominated the summer of 1983) gets five of its eight tracks represented here - with the genuinely lovely "Penny Lover" and the fabulous arrangements of "All Night Long (All Night)" sticking out. "Dancing On The Ceiling" (another number 1 album) bags four. Some of it - like "Don't Wanna Lose You", "Endless Love" or even "Hello" - is awful schmaltz for sure - but then you get the unbelievably sexy groove of "Do It To Me" - a song so slinky it practically slides off of itself. And that knack for hooky commercialism that seems so effortless to Richie crops up again and again in tunes like the love song "You Are" (from the 1st album), the Spanish dancer "Cinderella" and the mid-tempo smoocher "Stuck On You".

And not to be outdone - amongst the Commodores hits are the Disco boogie of "Machine Gun" (big hairdos ahoy), the mid-tempo sway of "Zoom" and that trio of beautiful ballads "Still", "Three Times A Lady" and "Easy" (superb guitar solo). It ends on a gospel-ballad "Jesus Is Love" where he pleads, "father help your children..." which could of course come over as uber-cheesy and yet the loveliness of the melody pulls it off.

"My friends say I'm a dreamer...it takes a fool in love to know what I'm feeling..." our Lionel sings on "Do It To Me". And while you may not want to sculpt his likeness in your blind-girl's art studio...give this Soulful dreamer a go...you'll find yourself liking his soppy tunes more than you care to admit...

"Psychedelic Soul" by THE TEMPTATIONS – Full-Length Versions from February 1969 to December 1973 Albums on Motown Produced, Arranged and Often Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong (June 2003 US Motown 'Funk Essentials' 2CD Compilation with Suha Gur Remasters and Two Previously Unreleased Versions) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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Eagle-eyed collectors will notice two things about this stunning "Motown Funk Essentials" release by THE TEMPTATIONS covering the NORMAN WHITFIELD and BARRETT STRONG years...

 

First there are two Previously Unreleased versions of killer tracks "Psychedelic Shack" and "Ball Of Confusion..." (7 and 13 on Disc 1) - but better still is that all of the songs across the 2CDs are the 'full album versions' in Stereo instead of the usual Mono Single Mixes and Edits we commonly get on other compilations. Throw in stunning new SUHA GUR remasters from original master tapes of music most fans adore - and you're on a double-disc winner. Here are the details from Cloud Nine...

 

US released June 2003 - the 2CD set "Psychedelic Soul" by THE TEMPTATIONS on Motown Chronicles B0000582-02 (Barcode 044003865327) is part of their 'Motown Funk Essentials' Series and breaks down as follows:

 

Disc 1 (71:29 minutes):

1. Cloud Nine (3:31 minutes)

2. Runaway Child, Running Wild (9:21 minutes)

Tracks 1 and 2 are from the album "Cloud Nine" released February 1969 in the USA on Gordy GS939 and September 1969 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11109

 

3. Don't Let The Jones Get You Down (4:42 minutes)

4. I Can't Get Next To You (2:52 minutes)

5. Message From A Black Man (6:03 minutes)

6. Slave (7:31 minutes)

Tracks 3 to 6 are from the album "Puzzle People" released September 1969 in the USA on Gordy GS949 and February 1970 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11133

 

7. Psychedelic Shack (6:19 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED EXTENDED VERSION

 

8. You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth (2:45 minutes)

9. Hum Along And Dance (3:51 minutes)

10. Take A Stroll Through Your Mind (8:33 minutes)

11. War  (3:12 minutes)

12. Friendship Train (7:55 minutes)

Tracks 8 to 12 are from the album "Psychedelic Shack" released March 1970 in the USA on Gordy GS947 and June 1970 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11147

 

13. Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World is Today) (4:08 minutes) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ALTERNATE MIX

 

Disc 2 (78:08 minutes):

1. Smiling Faces Sometimes (12:40 minutes)

2. Ungena Za Ulimengu (Unite The World) (4:28 minutes)

3. Love Can Be Anything (Can't Nothing Be Love But Love) (9:20 minutes)

Tracks 1 to 3 are from the album "Sky's The Limit" released April 1971 in the USA on Gordy GS957 and August 1971 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11184

 

4. Take A Look Around (3:09 minutes)

5. Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) (2:54 minutes)

Tracks 4 and 5 are from the album "Solid Rock" released January 1972 in the USA on Gordy G-961L and April 1972 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11202

 

6. Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On (3:10 minutes)

7. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (12:01 minutes)

Tracks 6 and 7 are from the album "All Directions" released July 1972 in the USA on Gordy G-962L and February 1973 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11218

 

8. Plastic Man (5:57 minutes)

9. Masterpiece (13:49 minutes)

Tracks 8 and 9 are from the album "Masterpiece" released February 1973 in the USA on Gordy G-965L and June 1973 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11229

 

10. Ain't No Justice (6:05 minutes)

11. 1999 (4:04 minutes)

Tracks 10 and 11 are from the album "1990" released December 1973 in the USA on Gordy G-966V1 and January 1974 in the UK on Tamla Motown STMA 8016

 

The 12-page booklet has an essay called "Psychedelic Soul Power" by Leonard Pitts, Jr on the Norman Whitfield Productions between 1968 and 1973 when his leadership and songwriting partnership with Barrett Strong saw The Tempts react to the America they were living in. Battered by the loss of both Kennedys, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X - and with US troops (black and white) dying in their droves in a pointless 'Red' war 6000 miles away and American cities stricken by poverty and racism - Motown's production line of boy/girl songs needed to address the real world - and beginning with the stunning "Cloud Nine" album - The Temptations took it to the world (and were glad to).

 

Right from the get go - the SUHA GUR remasters blow you away. If I compare the single mix of "Runaway Child, Running Wild" on "The Complete Motown Singles Volume 9: 1969" which weighs in at just under five minutes (released in January 1969 a month before the album - it was a US R&B No.1) - to hear it allowed to stretch out to its full nine-minute album wallop is such a blast - an entirely different beast. "I want my mama!" the inner city child cries just before it goes into a sensational Funk Brothers groove that lasts the final three minutes. The same of course applies to the monster "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" (even though it probably overstays its welcome at twelve minutes). And how good is to hear the seven and half minutes of "Message From A Black Man" from "Puzzle People". The bass and brass of "Friendship Train" sound huge - the group and the musicians laying into a rhythm and a set of lyrics they 'know' matters. And I always thought the simple funkiness of "Hum And Dance Along" is a genuine masterpiece often passed over for more famous tunes (they used it as a Stateside B-side to "Ungena Za Ulimengu (Unite The World)" on Gordy 7102 in 1970).

 

Disc 2 provides more album Funkathons like their 13-minute radical rework of "Smiling Faces Sometimes" (which became a huge hit for The Undisputed Truth) and the near sidelong "Masterpiece" has that genius bass backdrop (like "Papa") that just builds and builds and the guitars and strings battle it out against a backdrop of words about "...thousands of lives wasting away...people living from day to day..." "Masterpiece" is exactly what it is. It's a shame they didn't slap on "Law Of The Land" but again you do get the underrated "Ain't No Justice". The two Previously Unreleased versions see alternate vocals along with different guitar and keyboard funk in "Psychedelic Shack" with radically alternate vocals on "Ball Of Confusion" - personally I love them both to pieces (anything new from this period blows my tiny Dubliner's mind).

 

You can't help but think that Hip-O Select should just do a Temptations Box Set for the Whitfield years and be done with it (and one for The Undisputed Truth for that matter too) - but that's somewhere hopefully in the future. In the meantime - get this fantastic slice of Funk and Social consciousness into your life as soon as your bad self will allow. For once the word "essential" doesn't do the genius on display here enough justice...

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"The Big Chill Soundtrack: Deluxe Edition" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – September 1983 US Soundtrack Album on Motown Records, Plus April 1984 Follow-Up Motown Album "More Songs From The Big Chill" Plus 2 Bonus Soundtrack Pieces (all CD1) and CD2 "Bigger Chill – Music Of A Generation" with 19 Further Sixties and Seventies Period Tracks (March 2004 USA Hip-O Select 2CD Deluxe Edition with 26 Bonus Tracks and Suha Gur Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Dancing In The Street..."

 

Universal's Deluxe Edition 2CD Compilations seem to be defunct now in 2023. Once they were such a force – a huge 630-plus releases from 2001 onward to 2017 encompassing all genres of music. Now they are all but forgotten it seems - part of CD Reissue History - a series that had simply outran its course and overstayed its welcome.

 

DE's had that look – initially with the outer DELUXE EDITION plastic slipcase (often with credits printed on the rear, this DE does) that would be later be replaced by a band on the outside of a flimsy card Digipak (Thin Lizzy issues) that cheapened the series to a point where collectors hated them. And it seemed that every huge album issued in the 60ts, 70ts and 80ts had to have a DE. But many titles seemed to be stretching it at times with dubious bonuses and there was never that much of an imagination when it came to what was reissued. 

 

But there were about 10 in my books (Howlin' Wolf "The London Chess Sessions", Whiskeytown's "Strangers Almanac", The Who's "Who's Next", Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", the Jimmy Cliff and Various Artists Reggae Soundtrack "The Harder They Come", Bob Marley & The Wailers "Legend: Best Of") that actually sang like a bird and genuinely enhanced the original they were supposed to be complimenting. Which brings us to 'The Big Chill'...

 

Originally issued as a humble 10-tracker LP on US Motown in September 1983, "The Big Chill Original Soundtrack" focused on the exuberant "Dancing In The Street" Soul, R&B, Rock and Pop of the Sixties. It proved hugely popular because of its on-the-money track choices. The Lawrence Kasdan directed film about American friends navigating life, marriage, loneliness, kids and success in the burbs starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly and Jobeth Williams caught the zeitgeist when it was released into the cinema in late 1983. Hitting the Billboard LP charts in late October 1983 – it rose to No. 17and spent a whopping 161 weeks on the charts. The music in the film was so popular, it spawned a follow-up More album in 1984 that itself peaked at a more modest No. 85 – but was still impressive. Two songs are missing from that second album – The Rolling Stones and The Steve Miller Band due to licensing. This 2CD DE variant of "The Big Chill Soundtrack" just amplifies both of those LPs by adding 21 more cuts. It's a winner I've been meaning to champion for years.

 

You could easily argue that there are so many 60ts compilations that offer more, are easier to get etc. But this is one of those Hip-O Select reissues that so works and with genuinely top-notch Suha Gur Remasters (access to original master tapes) – packs the punch where it counts – audio – and can still be purchased in certain places for under fifteen quid. With its Digipak interior, outer plastic slipcase and its 24-page expanded booklet, it looks the part too. There's a lot to digest, so to the cold sweats...

 

US released 23 March 2004 - "The Big Chill Soundtrack: Deluxe Edition" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Hip-O Select B0001940-02 (Barcode 602498162286) is a 2CD Deluxe Edition Compilation offer Two Albums and Two Previously Unreleased Soundtrack Songs on CD1 with 19 More 'Music Of A Generation' Sixties Tracks on CD2. It plays out as follows (US 45-single details after each title):

 

CD1 (57:03 minutes):

1. I Heard It Through The Grapevine – MARVIN GAYE (October 1968, Tamla T-54176, A-side)

2. My Girl – THE TEMPTATIONS (December 1964, Gordy G-7083, A-side)

3. Good Lovin' – THE RASCALS (February 1966, Atlantic 45-2321, A-side)

4. The Tracks Of My Tears – SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES (June 1965, Tamla T-54118, A-side)

5. Joy To The World – THREE DOG NIGHT (February 1971, Dunhill/ABC Records D-4272, A-side)

6. Ain't Too Proud To Be – THE TEMPTATIONS (May 1966, Gordy G-7054, A-side)

7. A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like) – ARETHA FRANKLIN (September 1967, Atlantic 45-2441, A-side)

8. I Second That Emotion – SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES (October 1967, Tamla T-54159, A-side)

9. A Whiter Shade Of Pale – PROCOL HARUM (June 1967, Deram 45-7507, A-side)

10. Tell Him – THE EXCITERS (October 1962, United Artists UA 544, A-side)

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "The Big Chill Original Soundtrack" – released September 1983 in the USA on Motown 6062 ML. UK release was July 1984 on CD – Motown ZD72347.

 

11. Bad Moon Rising – CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL (April 1969, Fantasy 622, A-side)

12. When A Man Loves A Woman – PERCY SLEDGE (March 1966, Atlantic 45-2326, A-side)

13. In The Midnight Hour – THE RASCALS (cover version of the Wilson Pickett Atlantic Records classic, from their debut album "The Young Rascals" - released March 1966 in the USA on Atlantic 8123 (Mono) and Atlantic SD 8123 (Stereo) – Stereo Version used)

14. Gimme Some Lovin' – THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP (December 1966, United Artists UA 50108, A-side, featured vocalist is Steve Winwood)

15. The Weight – THE BAND (August 1968, Capitol 2269, A-side, featured vocalist Robbie Robertson)

16. Wouldn't It Be Nice – THE BEACH BOYS (July 1966, Capitol 5706, A-side)

Tracks 11 to 17 on CD1 and Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4 on CD2 are the album "More Songs From The Original Soundtrack Of The Big Chill" – released April 1984 in the USA on Motown 6094M. Note: the original LP had 11-tracks – the two missing are "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones and "Quicksilver Girl" by The Steve Miller Band due to licensing. Four of these LP tracks were not actually featured in the movie but included on the LP as period pieces – they are separated over to Tracks 1 to 4 on CD2.

 

FILM INSTRUMENTALS

17. Strangers In The Night – BERT KAEMPFERT (April 1966, Decca 31945, A-side – also on "More Songs From The Original Soundtrack Of The Big Chill" LP from 1984 – see Tracks 11 to 16 above)

18. You Can't Always Get What You Want – CHURCH VERSION (Previously Unreleased, 1983 Soundtrack Version used at the beginning of the movie)

 

CD2 "Bigger Chill: Music Of A Generation" (60:20 minutes):

1. It's The Same Old Song – THE FOUR TOPS (July 1965, Motown M 1081, A-side)

2. Dancing In The Street – MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS (July 1964, Gordy G-7033, A-side)

3. What's Going On – MARVIN GAYE (January 1971, Tamla T 54201, A-side)

4. Too Many Fish In The Sea – THE MARVELETTES (October 1964, Tamla T-54105, A-side)

Tracks 1 to 4 do not appear in the film but were included on the follow-up LP "More Songs From The Original Soundtrack Of The Big Chill" in April 1984

 

5. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing – MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL (March 1968, Tamla T-54163, A-side)

6. What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted – JIMMY RUFFIN (June 1966, Soul S-35022, A-side)

7. Shotgun – Jr. WALKER & THE ALL STARS (January 1965, Soul S 35008, A-side)

8. Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While) – ISLEY BROTHERS (March 1968, Tamla T-54164, A-side)

9. Ask Any Girl – THE SUPREMES (September 1964, Motown M-1066, B-side to "Baby Love")

10. You Don't Own Me – LESLEY GORE (December 1963, Mercury 72206, A-side)

11. Like To Get To Know You – SPANKY & OUR GANG (April 1968, Mercury 72795, A-side)

12. Monday, Monday – THE MAMAS and THE PAPAS (March 1966, Dunhill D-4026, A-side)

13. Nights In White Satin – MOODY BLUES (January 1968, Deram 45-85023, A-side)

14. Feelin' Alright – JOE COCKER (May 1969, A&M 1063, A-side)

15. Game Of Love – WAYNE FONTANA & THE MINDBENDERS (February 1965, Fontana F-1503, A-side)

16. I Got You (I Feel Good) – JAMES BROWN and THE FAMOUS FLAMES (October 1965, King 45-6015, A-side)

17. (We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet – BLUES MAGOOS (October 1966, Mercury 72622, A-side)

18. Time Of The Season – THE ZOMBIES (October 1968, Date 2-1628, A-side)

19. Get It While You Can – HOWARD TATE (March 1967, Verve VK 10496, A-side)

 

The four-way foldout card digipak provides stills from the movie on the inner flaps (William Hurt and Meg Tilly – Jeff Goldblum and Tom Berenger) – there's nothing underneath the see-through CD trays, but the oversized 24-page booklet has a new and very cool essay from KEVIN FILIPSKI called The Pulse Of A Generation – he being the first cool one to review the film in his 1983 college newspaper. For instance – Filipski points out that the hugely overplayed (and a tune I personally hate) "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harum was first used in this 1983 film and to clever visual story-telling effect. Since then, Shade has been in every 60ts-based movie under the sun as an easy theme touch. Abutting the text are pictures of both album sleeves from 1983 and 1984, basic track details (no catalogue numbers or dates, I have provided that above) and two other photos of actors Kevin Kline, William Hurt and Meg Tilly.

 

But all of that is whomped by the fantastically alive Audio – remastered by a man who has had a hand in huge numbers of Motown and Hip-O Select reissues – SUHA GUR. Like Ellen Fitton or Erick Labson or Gavin Lurssen – Suha Gur is a Remastering Engineer I seek out. I've reviewed his Allman Brothers, Four Tops, Cream, Kansas, Fairport Convention, Joe Cocker Remasters - many on Deluxe Editions - and all are exceptionally good. Take a trio like the rarely heard B-side "Ask Any Girl" by The Supremes nestling as Track 9 on CD2 followed by Lesley Gore doing "You Don't Own Me" as Track 10 and again the lesser-celebrated "Like To Get To Know You" by Spanky & Our Gang as Track 11 (dig that fantastic Mamas & Papas layered vocal passage that plays the song out) – you may to turn the stereo down such is the clarity – fabulous stuff.

 

The 1983 Motown album and its 1984 follow-up followed the same musical formula - mostly 60ts Soul, R 'n' B, Pop and Rock with a smattering of early Seventies - Marvin Gaye's utterly stupendous "What's Going On" and Three Dog Night's fab cover of the Hoyt Axton tune "Joy To The World" - Jeremiah Bullfrog sounding like the decade before anyway. You might look at titles like "Dancing In The Street" by Martha & The Vandellas, "Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin or even "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by The Temptations- and think - I've heard these perennials too many times before. But you haven't heard them in this clarity which has endowed each with a freshness that's revelatory - and on more than a few occasions I cried because they capture youth. Throw in nuggets like Joe Cocker's utter belter "Feelin' Alright" or even the innocence in The Marvelettes and their girly "Too Many Fish In The Sea" or or the blistering Motownesque "Gimme Some Lovin'" by The Spencer Davis group fronted by the astonishing young pipes of Steve Winwood. Hell, I even dig that Church Version of The Stones' "Let It Bleed" classic "You Can't Always Get What You Want" that Kasdan used at the beginning of the movie when you slowly begin to realize why someone is being dressed...

And on it goes - "The Big Chill Soundtrack: Deluxe Edition" is that rarity in reissues - the kind of release that upped the original to a point where a compilation is remembered with such affection 40-years after its initial charm. Check online too in 2023 as price vary. Buy and enjoy...

"Anthology: 50th Anniversary" by FOUR TOPS - Single and Album Tracks from July 1964 to August 1988 (Three Unreleased) on Motown, Dunhill, Probe, ABC, Casablanca, RSO, Geffen and Arista Records featuring Levi Stubbs, Renaldo 'Obie' Benson, Lawrence Payton and Abdul 'Duke' Fakir with Songs by Smokey Robinson, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Ivy Jo Hunter, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Bristol, Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and many more (January 2004 US Hip-O Records/Motown/Universal 2CD Compilation of Suha Gur Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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Blessed with proper access to the extensive Motown Tape Library, Universal's imprint Hip-O Select (or Hip-O Records as they were initially known) began punching out CD compilations that sent most serious collectors into raptures. 

 

Even if they were expensive for catalogue material from the Fifties and Sixties - the presentation was (mostly) classy and sometimes wildly inventive, the notation cool and from proper sources, they usually contained unreleased - in short - the whole shebang collector-wise. But it was the AUDIO that blew you away (and still does). Really great and vastly experienced Remaster Engineers like Erick Labson (Chess and Cadet), Ellen Fitton (Motown Singles Books Series) and that other genius - SUHA GUR. I actively search down his transfers, because they inevitably amaze. 

 

And it's no different with Motown's FOUR TOPS (Suha did the work on this) - four young men from Detroit's North End that were in other groups, but sang together on a dare at a party in 1954. After that, the chemistry went on to a signing with Berry Gordy's Tamla and Motown Records and 2004 found them still an official item - 50-years down the line. In fact, as I write this review in the tailend of January 2023 - next year (2024) will be an astonishing 70-years for THE FOUR TOPS. 

 

And although they're effectively a yesteryear act now and perhaps in the shadow of the more popular Temptations, Four Tops produced gems and masterpieces and this is the twofer place to find them. To the still waters and shadows of love...

 

US released 13 January 2004 - "Anthology: 50th Anniversary" by FOUR TOPS on Hip-O Records/Motown/Universal B0000488-02 (Barcode 044003961722) is a 48-Track 2CD Compilation of Motown, Dunhill, Probe (UK), ABC Records, Casablanca, RSO, Geffen and Arista Records Tracks from July 1964 to August 1988 with New Remasters from Original Tapes. It plays out as follows:

CD1 (78:47 minutes):

1. Baby I Need Your Loving (July 1964 US 45-single, Motown 1062)

2. Without The One You Love (Life's Not Worth Living) (November 1964 US 45-single, Motown 1069)

3. Ask The Lonely (January 1965 US 45-single, Motown 1073)

4. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) (April 1965 US 45-single, Motown 1076)

5. It's The Same Old Song (July 1965 US 45-single, Motown 1081)

6. Something About You (October 1965 US 45-single, Motown 1084)

7. Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) (February 1966, Motown 1090)

8. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever (May 1966, Motown 1096)

9. Reach Out I'll Be There (August 1966, Motown 660)

10. Standing In The Shadow Of Love (November 1966, Motown 1102)

11. Bernadette (February 1967, Motown 1104, A-side)

12. I Got A Feeling (B-side of "Bernadette" and August 1966 US LP "Four Tops On Top", Motown 647)

13. 7-Rooms Of Gloom (May 1967, Motown 1110, A-side)

14. I'll Turn To Stone (B-side of "7-Rooms Of Gloom")

15. You Keep Running Away (August 1967, Motown 1113)

16. Walk Away Renee (originally January 1968 US-45, Motown 1119 - this is a Previously Unreleased Alternate Mix)

17. If I Were A Carpenter (April 1968, Motown 1124)

18. Yesterday's Dreams (June 1968, Motown 1127)

19. I'm In A Different World (September 1968, Motown 1132)

20. What Is A Man (April 1969, Motown 1147)

21. Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me (June 1969, Motown 675, reissued Nov 1969, Motown 1159 - this is a Previously Unreleased Extended Stereo Single Mix)

22. It's All In The Game (March 1970, Motown 1164)

23. Still Water (Love) (August 1970, Motown 1170)

24. River Deep - Mountain High - THE SUPREMES and FOUR TOPS (November 1970, Motown 1173 - Previously Unreleased Stereo Single Edit)

25. Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life) (December 1970, Motown 1175)

26. In These Changing Times (May 1971, Motown 1185)

27. MacArthur Park (Part II) (August 1971, Motown 1189)

NOTES: 

Tracks 16, 21 and 24 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED versions

CD2 (79:27 minutes):

1. A Simple Game (UK Single Mix) (September 1971 UK-45, Tamla Motown TMG 785)

2. I Can't Quit Your Love (April 1972 US-45, Motown 1198)

3. (It's The Way) Nature Planned It (August 1972, Motown 1210)

4. Keeper Of The Castle (October 1972, Dunhill 4330)

5. Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) (January 1973, Dunhill 4339)

6. Are You Man Enough (May 1973, Dunhill 4354, also on the Original Soundtrack Album "Shaft In Africa" and their album "Main Street")

7. Sweet Understanding Love (August 1973, Dunhill 4366) 

8. I Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind (January 1974, Dunhill 4377)

9. One Chain Don't Make No Prison (March 1974, Dunhill 4386)

10. Midnight Flower (June 1974, Dunhill 15005)

11. Seven Lonely Nights (April 1975, ABC 12096)

12. We All Gotta Stick Together (August 1975, ABC 12123)

13. Catfish (August 1976 on ABC 12214; then September 1976 on ABC 12223)

14. H.E.L.P. (October 1978, ABC 12427)

15. When She Was My Girl (July 1981, Casablanca 2338)

16. Tonight I'm Gonna Love You All Over (January 1982, Casablanca 2345)

17. I Believe In You And Me (July 1982, Casablanca 2353, B-side of "Sad Hearts")

18. Back To School Again (May 1982, RSO 1069)

19. I Just Can't Walk Away (September 1983, Motown 1706)

20. Mean Green Mother From Outer Space - LEVI STUBBS and Chorus (from the November 1986 US Original Soundtrack LP "Little Shop Of Horrors" on Geffen 24125)

21. Indestructible (7-Inch Extended Single) (August 1988 US 12"-Single on Arista AD1-9705-B)

The chunky card digipak looks and feels substantial with new liner notes from Motown affcianado STU HACKEL which is followed by detailed track-by-track credits (28-pages in total). In-between are period photos (mostly 60ts and 70ts) and the usual reissue credits at the rear. But the big news is SUHA GUR Remasters which are fantastic. They even manage three Previously Unreleased on CD1 and some rarities on Cd2. Nice done - to the chunes... 

 

As you play the CD1 openers "Baby I Need Your Loving" or "Ask The Lonely" - you feel the sheer class of the group and are absolutely whomped by that big booming Motown sound courtesy of The Funk Brothers (Motown's inhouse band) - gorgeous transfers that accentuate Levi Stubbs and his fabulous deep tenor vocals. And while radio-friendly hogs will immediately reach for the big chart hits like "It's The Same Old Song", "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch", "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever", "Bernadette" and the wonderful melodrama (and much confusion) of "Reach Out I'll Be There" - Northern Soul dancers will plumb for those lesser played feet-shuffler sides like "Something About You", the stomping "Shake Me, Wake Me..." and "I Got A Feeling" (a B-side that's been included on this compilation for just that purpose).

Many will have forgotten the loveliness of some of these recordings - "Yesterday's Dreams" (an Ivy Jo Hunter co-write) from the September 1968 album of the same name or the lonely-day Holland-Dozier-Holland bopper "I'm In A Different World" produced by H-D-H and R. Dean Taylor. "Walk Away Renee" is filled with the same sweet vibes (presented here as a Previously Unreleased Alternate Mix), although their valiant attempt at Tim Hardin's socially conscious "If I Were A Carpenter" stills feels uncomfortable to me. They try again with being on the America-in-Turmoil ball with the Johnny Bristol searching song "What Is A Man" - brothers being sent off to fight for their country while Universities would casually turn a blind eye to their enrolment applications. And again the ballad swoon and beauty returns with "It's All In The Game" - a track from the "Still Waters Run Deep" album of March 1970 that Motown plucked out as a single. Here it's Stereo impact is gorgeous - heart flying away.

The first and only rarity on CD1 comes in the shape of "Don't Take Him Take Your Love From Me" - A Stereo Single Mix that's Extended. Penned by that dynamic duo Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong - Levi goes for broke with the vocals as the Funk Brothers groove with brass and backing singers (2:56 minutes). Good, but so much better is the stunning audio on "Still Water (Love)" - another 1970 cut from the "Still Waters Run Deep" LP - a lovely Frank Wilson and Smokey Robinson co-write.

CD1 comes to an end with a string of their first forays into the new decade - the Seventies - the Pamela Swayer penned "Just Seven Numbers..." and co-penned with Frank Wilson "In These Changing Times..." being highlights. 

CD2 opens with the exclusive mix given to the British 45 for "A Simple Game" - Tamla Motown TMG 785 from September 1971 - a song penned by Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues (the US 45 on Motown 1196 had an alternate mix). The wah-wah guitars/strings Funk Sound of the Seventies makes itself known on "I Can't Quit Your Love" - a cut from the April 1972 LP "Nature Planned It" that some club dancers enjoy. Better for me is the Frank Wilson penned smoocher "(It's The Way) Nature Planned It" - a very 'Just My Imagination' groove that gave them a No. 8 hit on the US Billboard R&B singles charts. Levi shows he still has it in the pleading love song stakes with the lovely "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)" - a big hit for them when The Stylistics, Chi-Lites and The Spinners were all mining the same territory. 

Still cool is "Are You Man Enough" where someone is trying to steal with your right to choose - a hit on two albums "Shaft In Africa" and their own "Main Street". The syrup starts to grate a tad by the time we get to "I Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind" - better is the funkier Dennis Lambert song "One Chain Don't Make No Prison" from 1974 which Santana would cover and make a single off on their 1978 Columbia album "Inner Secrets". And on it goes to Levi Stubbs waxing lyrical about aliens in a dentist's office.

It isn't all magic for sure, but the sound is toppermost and those deep dive discoveries are way cool. This is the one you need...all night long...

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