16th AUGUST 2004

The vote is hotting up! After three weeks of voting, thousands have registered their favourite Motown track. At the moment we have a clear leader, but make sure your voice is heard by visiting www.motown45.co.uk and picking your winner
 

To refresh your memory, UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK are in the middle of THE SUMMER OF MOTOWN, a season-long celebration to mark the 45th anniversary of one of the most important record labels of all time. With such legendary artists as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Temptations, The Four Tops, from 1959 onwards, Berry Gordy and his crack team of influential writers and players created a revolutionary sound that blended R&B and pop. Although known as 'The Sound Of Young America', Motown was to go on to become the sound of the world.

In this current world of downloads and iPods, Motown UK are celebrating their illustrious heritage with a series of 20 DJ and Collector-friendly 7" 45 RPM singles that represent the commercial best of the label that has soundtracked countless generations.

The strictly-limited releases, featuring such timeless hits as
I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE, BABY LOVE, TEARS OF A CLOWN and Northern Soul favourite DO I LOVE YOU (INDEED I DO), are released in batches of five from 26th July and run through until the start of September.
 

On the 27th September a highly desirable box set gathering all 20 singles available will be made available for a limited period.

Motown UK are hoping that the nation will get involved. A website, www.motown45.co.uk has been established to vote for their favourite-ever Motown track, selected from the label's best-selling singles.

The UK's all-time favourite Motown track will be played as part of a three-hour special on BBC Radio 2 THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN on Monday 30th August between two and five p.m. when Richard Allinson presents three hours of Motown magic. With special features from Paul Young, Kiki Dee and Lamont Dozier, the programme will include a tour of the music, myths and fascinating facts of the Motown catalogue.
 

SO, DON'T BE TOO PROUD TO LOG ON - FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND GET TO www.motown45.co.uk!!

July 26th

The Isley Brothers - This Old Heart Of Mine / Behind A Painted Smile
The Temptations - My Girl / Ain't Too Proud To Beg
Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There / Bernadette
Smokey Robinson & Miracles - Tears Of A Clown / Tracks Of My Tears
Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted / Farewell Is A Lonely Sound

August 2nd

Smokey Robinson & Miracles - Going To A Go-Go / I Second That Emotion
Diana Ross & Supremes - Baby Love / Where Did Our Love Go
R Dean Taylor - There's A Ghost In My House / Gotta See Jane
Martha & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street / Forget Me Not
Jr Walker & The All-Stars - Shotgun / I'm A Road Runner

August 16th

Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine / What's Going On
Diana Ross - I'm Still Waiting / Touch Me In The Morning
Stevie Wonder - Uptight / Yester-Me Yester-You Yesterday
Edwin Starr - War / Stop The War
Velvelettes - Needle In A Haystack / He Was Really Saying Something

30TH AUGUST

THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN 2-CD SET

September 6th

The Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone / Cloud 9
Michael Jackson & Jackson 5 - I Want You Back / Doctor My Eyes
Frank Wilson - Do I Love You / Chris Clark - Do I Love You
Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself / Walk Away Renée
Marvelettes - Please Mr Postman/When You're Young And In Love

September 27th

Complete 20- single box set

Click the above links for some stunning streaming video footage of the artists in action.