Here's the latest... - Reviewed on 2008-02-20
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Here's the latest in the twelve volume set of the Complete (well, almost) Motown Singles. I say almost because Motown no longer owns the masters for many of the Rare Earth singles. What we do get is catalog numbers, release dates and credits to those recordings not included.
That said, 1969 was the final year for Diana Ross & the Supremes. Their first single, "I'm Living In Shame" went top 10, and they went out with a number one record (Someday We'll Be Together). On top of that, they concluded a highly successful stint performing and recording with their male counterpart group, The Temptations. Not bad, considering their lackluster success after Florence Ballard left the group in mid-'67. "Someday" was really intended for Diana's first solo single (it had been recorded at the same session as "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You") and had no trace of Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong on the disc. It was also the year the Jackson 5 released their first single, "I Want You Back". Other established acts such as Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations had one of their most successful years against unbelievable odds. David Ruffin had exited the Tempts the previous year, Marvin Gaye lost Tammi Terrell, his singing partner, to bad health, and Gladys Knight was thrown the leftover crumbs from the table, yet she turned them into gems weaving her magical vocals in and out of impossible places. All the big hits are here, of course with B-sides in thier proper place along with some alternate takes or mixes. Like in previous collections, there are some withdrawn singles, this time from trumpeter Jonah Jones and vocalist extraordinaire Billy Eckstine. It's just a shame that the popularity of some of the greatest early Motown artists such as Martha & the Vandellas, The Marvelettes and even the Four Tops was beginning to wane. Even The Miracles were struggling a bit, although they managed to pull a couple of big hits out of the bag. Some newer acts found some fame, though--The Originals scored big with a Marvin Gaye production, "Baby I'm For Real" as well as Edwin Starr's, "25 Miles". They would continue their success the following year. Another major addition to Motown '69 was Hugh Masakela's imprint, Chisa. The Jazz Crusaders, Stu Gardner and others were added to the label because of it. A Jazz oriented label, it took Motown back into the genre once more since 1963's Workshop Jazz label.
There were only a couple of duds here, but I won't mention them. Motown kept the standards high every step of the way during the 60's, but it would not continue very far ino the next decade, as the house band, the beloved Funk Brothers, were squeezed out of their plans when they moved West. Three more volumes will follow, each with diminishing luster, I'm sure, but I'm still looking forward to them and all future Motown releases from Hip-O.
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