The Miracles
'The Collection'
Universal/Spectrum
Released in the UK on 1st April 2002
Having enjoyed so much success as one of the labels most successful acts during the previous decade where they had been at Motown since day one. At a time during the late sixties and early seventies when some of the supergroups were losing their lead vocalists to solo careers, I suppose it was inevitable that Smokey Robinson would eventually embark on his own which he did in 1972. His place as lead singer was filled by one Billy Griffin who in fairness did a great job and helped carry the Miracles forward into an ever changing musical market.

This collection of songs are taken from issued 45's and selected LP tracks between 1973- 1976 and serve as a reminder of the quality of their recordings during that period. The CD opens with the Philly styled instrumental dancer 'Overture' which appeared only as a 'B' side in the UK and could have come out of Philadelphia with its hi-hat drum beat and gorgeous orchestration. 'City Of Angels' is a nice ballad and has hints of the Dells' 1968 classic 'I Can Sing A Rainbow' and the emphasis is one of perfect harmonies of which are spot on. Many Motown fans will quickly opt for the obvious dance tracks in 'Love Machine' and 'Night Life' both of which achieved some chart success and exposure on the northern soul scene, even though they do not in the writers opinion represent the best material on this CD, although the track 'My Name Is Michael' stands out as being the best of the uptempo numbers and showcases Griffin as the perfect replacement for Robinson.

The unusual titled 'Waldo Roderick DeHammersmith' is another uptempo groove with a perfect dancebeat and occasional neat handclaps much in the Love Machine mould (don't ask what the title means??) who really cares anyway  - it' a good song anyway. I was most impressed with 'Love To Make Love' as midtempo harmonious affair that allows the rest of the group to share the vocal limelight on this occasional disjointed song that seems to change direction from time to time. Smokey would have been proud of 'You Need A Miracle' a gentle ballad of the highest order and proves that Griffin was the ONLY replacement the group could have considered, and is sung in the style that Robinson would have done himself had he still been lead singer. At over six minutes in playing time it as a late night love song as good as anything you hear today.

The group eventually recorded for CBS and Griffin moved onto a solo career and whilst his blinding 'Hold Me Tighter In The Rain' for CBS in the early eighties remains a soul classic to this day, the reality is that he failed to follow it up with anything substantial, and the Miracles had little chart success themselves at CBS, and so one of the greatest names in black music sadly faded into obscurity.

It is hard to predict whether the group would have survived longer had Robinson remained as lead singer but either way their recordings in the seventies make pleasant listening and they were as good as anything else that was around at the time. Thank goodness they were able to present the ballads as well as the uptempo numbers as this CD demonstrates and is a timely reminder of good quality soul of the seventies.

Pity this CD didn't include the catchy 'Wigs And Lashes' - never mind, another time perhaps.

Rating 7/10

Please visit Billy Griffin's web sites

http://www.BillyGriffin2001.com
http://www.lovemachine-griffin.com