Various Artists
Kevin Rowland Presents Motown Made To Measure
Universal/Motown Records
UK Release Date: July 2007.

Here we go again with another release in the 'Made To Measure' series for Motown where the company invite a well known journalist or person from within the music industry to choose a selection of their favourite Motown songs for a CD release. This time its the turn of the lead singer from Dexy's Midnight Runners Mr. Kevin Rowland whose group stormed the UK charts during the 1980's with a collection of songs that clearly identified a slight leaning towards soul music especially with the groups hit 'Jackie Wilson Said' and 'Geno' to name but two.

With a reunion tour almost under way Rowlands is excited about the return to the spotlight and there may well be new material from the group although its getting harder and harder for artists from the 80's and 90's to keep up with today's musical trends especially if they are targetting an audience wider than their normal fan base. Anyway, that aside a quick look through the twenty tracks chosen by Kevin for this CD identifies straight away that he's on no ego trip as his selection is that what you would have expected from someone who grew up during the mid 1960's onwards. It's a fact that whilst most soul/Motown fans would love to list their all time favourites for a CD release there are many who may list obscure LP tracks or something that may have been unreleased etc., but here Kevin chooses a sensible selection of hit tunes from the 60's & 70's.

My only criticism is not the music that he has chosen (as there are many that I too would have included had I have been the compiler) but I again raise the question at just who the target audience is that justifies such a release? Almost every song on this compilation can be effectively picked up from around two or three existing Motown compilation's and it matters not in most cases who the compiler is - it is the music in the grooves that count, and I doubt for one minute that anyone will rush out and buy this CD on the strength of who the compiler is. On the back of this comment sales may well suffer and that in itself is a shame as Universal Music's commitment to releasing and supporting Motown is second to none and any Motown release is better than none - but, you know what I'm saying.

Kevin's choice makes for some of the greatest music ever recorded out of studio 'A' including 'My Girl' from the Temps, Jimmy Ruffin's 'I'll Say Forever My Love' and the glorious 'I Guess I'll Always Love' from the Isley Brothers and he's got real taste for choosing my favourite Motown tune from 1969 in Jr. Walker's 'What Does It Take' as well as two haunting songs from the late Marvin Gaye with 'Abraham, Martin & John' and the spine tingling 'If I Should Die Tonight'.

What also stands out from this collection is Kevin's addiction to the uptempo Motown hits from from the glory days such as the aforementioned track by the Isley's but he's also included the classic Elgins track, and much played 'Just A Little Misunderstanding' from the Contours. There's plenty to tempt new listeners to our great music with if you haven't already got the songs already.

Great selection but sales may well suffer due to the points made above.

Out now!

Rating 7/10