Reach Out
Artist: The Four Tops
Community Score: 6.30

Though it's one of the best Four Tops records of the '60s, Reach Out still feels weighted down by a few vain attempts at adult pop crossover. It certainly starts out right, with the glorious "Reach out, I'll Be There," the group's second pop/R&B chart-topper. After a faithful cover of the Left Banke's "Walk Away Renee," though, listeners are... Read More

Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations
Artist: Diana Ross & the Supremes
I Hear a Symphony
Artist: The Supremes

I Hear a Symphony has some great soul numbers on it, mostly by the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team, including not only the title track but also "Any Girl in Love (Knows What I'm Going Through)," "My World Is Empty Without You," and "He's All I Got" -- the latter is one of the greatest album tracks the group ever recorded, with stunning... Read More

Aretha's Gold
Artist: Aretha Franklin

The first compilation based on Franklin's successes of 1967-1968 on Atlantic. Included among the 14 selections here are all of the big bits (nine of which went Top 10) that established Franklin's enduring reputation, from "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" to "I Say A Little Prayer." It sometimes got as good as this afterwards, but it... Read More

Lady Soul - ATLANTIC/RHINO
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Community Score: 8.25

Appearing after a blockbuster debut and a sophomore set that was rather disappointing (in comparison), 1968's Lady Soul proved Aretha Franklin, the pop sensation, was no fluke. Her performances were more impassioned than on her debut, and the material just as strong, an inspired blend of covers and originals from the best songwriters in soul and... Read More

Gettin' Ready
Artist: The Temptations
Community Score: 10.00

The Temps' 1966 album sported not only two of their biggest hits (Smokey Robinson's "Get Ready" and Holland and Whitfield's "Ain't Too Proud To Beg"), but also moved the group from Smokey producing the group over to Norman Whitfield. In addition to the original 12 track lineup (all in original stereo except for "Say You," preserved off the... Read More

With a Lot o' Soul
Artist: The Temptations
Community Score: 10.00

This was the Temptations' seventh hit album in a row, released as Gordy 922 in July of 1967. It shows them -- and the Motown Sound -- moving in a more modern direction. Sporting the hits "(I Know) I'm Losing You" and "All I Need," it also features some first-rate vocal exchanges between Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin on "You're My Everything."... Read More

Supremes A' Go-Go
Artist: The Supremes
Community Score: 5.00

Supremes A' Go-Go was the group's first number one pop album, propelled to that place with help from a chart-topping single ("You Can't Hurry Love") and a marketing ploy that generated an irresistible song lineup. And along with The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland, Supremes A' Go-Go has held its value better than almost any of the trio's... Read More

Merry Christmas
Artist: The Supremes

Christmas albums are usually done to appease recording artists who have had some success; they rarely sell well because the holiday season is short, but some disprove the stereotype and sell seemingly forever -- like this one. The Supremes put their warm harmonies on 12 classic Christmas songs, everything from "White Christmas" to a rousing "Joy... Read More