Over the last twelve months or so the UK has seen more sixties Motown CD’s issued by the Universal Music group than were probably issued during that period and is nothing short of a dream come true for Motown collectors in this country.
OK, so a lot of the songs featured on these two volumes are freely available on other issues, but it is the current interest in the mod scene of the 1960’s that is stimulating record companies into issuing compilations of this great music. One only has to check out the great four CD set ‘The In Crowd’ (Mod Scene) via Universal Music to find over a hundred of the best ever songs ever released by Motown/R & B/Blues/Pop acts of that decade to see what I mean.
‘Mod Fave Raves’ does nothing short of going for the jugular. Featuring twenty of the hottest Motown cuts you could wish for that will take pride of place in anyone’s record collection. It also serves as a perfect introduction to this kind of music for many of today’s younger generation of which many are turning their interest from the computerised hype of current dance music, to the real sound of the sixties.
To hardened sixties fans of Motown and Soul the tracklisting comes as no surprise. Volume 1 kicks in with Barrett Strongs’ memorable early sixties side ‘Money’ which even the Beatles decided to record a version of. Lennon & McCartney made no secret of their love of the Motown Sound and cited Brenda Holloway and Marvin Gaye as their favourite acts at that time.
From the early days of the label you’ll find the Marvelettes with ‘Too Many Fish In The Sea’ and the superb upbeat ‘Needle In A Haystack’ from the Velvelettes. (check out their current UK CD by clicking this link) and Brenda Holloways’ 64 classic ‘Every Little Bit Hurts’ and Little Stevie Wonder from the same year with ‘Hey Harmonica Man’
The rest of volume 1 is made up of cracking UK 45’s of the highest order with the inclusion of ‘I’ll Always Love You’ (Detroit Spinners) ‘Going To A Go-Go (Miracles) ‘All For You’ (Earl Van Dyke) and Marvin Gaye at his best with ‘Baby Don’t You Do It’.
If there is one thing that makes this CD stand out it is the inclusion of a couple of tunes not seen before on a UK issue. Martha Reeves sees the ‘b’ of one of her singles featured here and has been a dancers favourite for years with ‘One Way Out’. This was the flip to her 1968 single ‘Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone’ and makes a most welcomed inclusion on this CD.
The highly collectable 45 ‘Baby I Miss You’ by Tommy Good is the highlight of the set (I am not aware this has been in issued in the UK before) having previously been issued as a US only release on the Gordy label. Perhaps one the finest vocal performances you will ever hear and a top quality dance tune too.
The Monitors whose UK LP from 1967 remains a highly collectable item get one of their uptempo tracks is included in the form of ‘Number One In Your Heart’ although it surely must only be a matter of time before Spectrum treats us to their best single ‘Since I Lost You’
Volume 2 sees no let up in the quality with the opening instrumental ‘Soul Stomp’ from house band Earl Van Dyke (another first on CD) before moving onto another classic ‘b’ side from Martha & the Vandellas with ‘Motoring’ (originally issued as the flip to Nowhere to Run) in 1965.
There are some big tunes and rarities here and ‘I’ll Keep On Holding On’ and ‘Just Walk In My Shoes’ from the Marvelettes and Gladys Knight respectively remind you of just how potent Berry Gordy’s musical empire was in those days.
The late Junior Walker gets a look - in with two great ‘b’ sides in ‘Shoot Your Shot’ a tremendous hammond organ workout topped with some wicked sax work as only Junior could do. He never had the best of voices but somehow the combination of a great production and a gutsy raw vocal performance often made his recordings essential listening and dancing. ‘Tune Up’ is history as they say but if you have never heard it then click here for the ride of a lifetime.
Motown standards are plentiful too with the Four Tops pop classic ‘I Can’t Help Myself’ and ‘Heatwave’ from Martha Reeves, but a couple of special items to note being the inclusion of ‘Your Gonna Love My Baby’ from songstress Barbara McNair which as rare as it is, does very little for me personally, however I do love the Smokey Robinson song ‘From Head To Toe’ featured here from white Canadian singer Chris Clarke who issued the song in 1967. First time on a UK CD I suspect. Check out her extremely rare LP ‘Soul Sounds’
Whilst there isn’t a bad track on this set other stand out songs include Kim Westons’ classic ‘Helpless’ (one of the great mid sixties Gordy 45’s) and the much loved ‘Just Walk In My Shoes’ from Gladys Knight & the Pips.
All in all a superb collection of favourites and ‘b’ sides that would cost you an arm and leg at todays prices on vinyl. At around £6.99 in the UK they are almost being given away. Essential purchase.