Here we go again with another bumper collection of Motown rarities as Universal Music unleash volume 2 in this highly collectable series of hard to find and previously unreleased songs from the Motor City. There's something for everyone in this package and seasoned collectors will be familiar with a lot of these tunes of which quite a few are even new to yours truly. Of the songs that are well known the superb mid tempo classic 'You've Been In Love Too Long' from veteran diva Martha & the Vandella's will please many as will the great Supremes 1964 classic track 'Come See About Me' performed as an instrumental by the Choker Campbell big band from their mega rare 1965 LP 'Hits Of The Sixties'

It is a fitting tribute to the late Edwin Starr who died on the 2nd April this year that his classic 1968 northern anthem 'Way Over There' (written by Smokey Robinson)  gets a much deserved mention at track number eight, and fans of Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell will be familiar with their album track 'California Soul' which seems to crop up regularly these days. It's great to see that Freddie Gorman's US Ric Tic 45 'Take Me Back' which was a huge northern soul side during the latter part of the sixties, after his dynamic performance at the Manchester Ritz with the Originals recently. The Velvelettes who rarely disappoint have a blistering uptempo dance tune with 'Let Love Live A Little Longer' follows in the same tradition as their other collectable 45 'Lonely Lonely Girl Am I' showing them to be the queens of the uptempo Motown hit machine.

Next month sees the UK release of a very important CD from Barbara Randolph whose rendition of 'I Got A Feeling' is an all-time Motown great gets one of her 'B' sides included with 'You Got Me Hurtin' All Over' a mid tempo slice of magic that will please those into the girl singers - originally issued on Gordy as flip to 'Can I Get A Witness'. The Fantastic Four have their mid tempo dancer 'Don't Tell Me I'm Crazy' and its great to see this very talented outfit having songs issued on these CD's. Originally they recorded for Ric Tic before the label was bought out by Motown where they recorded a number of projects, before eventually leaving Motown and setting up camp at Atlantic Records in 1977.

Veteran diva Brenda Holloway is never very far from any Motown collectors record boxes and her excellent 1965 US single 'How Many Times Did You Mean It' (a gorgeous melodic and orchestrated piece of Motown magic) proving that she could, and should have gone on to be a superstar at Hitsville - you will love this track if you haven't heard it before. If you are looking for the ultimate dance tune on this set then look no further than 'I Got Heaven Right Here On Earth' from the legendary Temptations where the late David Ruffin never sounded so good. The Four Tops were bound to have something featured and indeed two of their great recordings grace this disc with 'What You Gonna Do With Me Baby' which captivates the group at their very best where could deliver the best of the uptempo tunes as well as the mid tempo ones, the latter which is applicable here, before moving onto a very modern sounding tune from 2001 entitled 'Red Hot Love' showing that Levi can still deliver the goods all these years on.

Although previously circulated on a white label 7" Barbara McNair finally gets a an official UK outing for 'It Happens Every Time'  a song that I played regularly on my Motown radio programme a few years ago resulting in many follow up requests and a high placing in our listeners all time favourite Motown sides of the sixties. This song sums up the brilliance of Hitsville during the glory years. My personal favourite from this set has to be Marvin Gaye's 'My Love For You' a really standout song that will be the CD's strongest selling point written by Mickey Stevenson. Apart from Gaye's unique vocal style the backing vocals (presumably from the Andantes) is nothing short of sheer brilliance and makes the purchase of this superb CD worth it for this track alone.

Ashford & Simpson wrote many a great song for Marvin & Tammi during the sixties and the legendary Originals have covered their excellent 'Tear It On Down' to perfection, without changing the character of the original version this one is just tailor made for the dance floors and listen out for it at a soul night near you.

Jazz FM presenter Richard Searling must take the credit for compiling yet again another devastating collection of Motown  collectibles that will take pride of place in anyone's collection.

Rating 11/10