The Marvelettes' Greatest Hits
Artist: The Marvelettes
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

Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Artist: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

Scrumptious! All hits, except for two excellent B-sides: the exquisite "Choosey Beggar," a marvelous ballad with an Asiatic feel, and the poignant "Save Me," which rode shotgun on "(Come Round Here) I'm the One You Need," a Holland-Dozier-Holland production that wasn't quite right for the Miracles. "My Girl Has Gone" was the follow up to "Tracks... 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

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

Motown Superstars Series, Vol. 8
Artist: Jimmy Ruffin

An excellent coupling of David and Jimmy Ruffin's individual solo highlights. A couple of cuts from their unheralded LP together are also included, making this a well-rounded package. Two obscurities from each spice this skimpy but tight compilation: David Ruffin's dramatic, aching "Just Let Me Hold You For a Night," and Jimmy Ruffin's... 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

Going to a Go-Go/Tears of a Clown
Artist: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

In the early days of the CD age, Motown released an astonishing number of CDs, including a whole line of single-disc sets that contained two original records on one CD. Motown's initial CD two-fers were criticized in many quarters for shoddy, unattractive packaging and indifferent remastering, but less discriminating consumers found them... Read More

Greatest Hits - MOTOWN
Artist: Martha & the Vandellas

Released at the height of Martha & the Vandellas' success, this 12-song compilation assembles most of the group's hit singles from their first three years as a recording act. It's difficult to criticize a collection that gets such soaring numbers as "You've Been in Love Too Long," "Dancing in the Street," "Nowhere to Run," "Live Wire," "Wild... 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