This double CD, originally issued as an LP some thirty five years ago in 1967 is again available in recognition of the 100th birthday of composer and songwriter Richard Rodgers. This was a total change in direction for the Supremes although the style contained on this recording had already been recorded by fellow artists the Temptations/Marvin Gaye/4 Tops etc. but Diana's vocal style was perfectly suited to the swing style of these classic songs.

There were no singles issued from this set even though it sold well at the time reaching # 3 in the US in conjunction with an ABC television special featuring the girls with other stars singing the music of Rodgers & Hart. Opening with a big band production of 'The Lady Is A Tramp' before moving onto a bossa nova rhythm in 'Mountain Greenery' which is another big band stop and start swinger - Diana never sounded so good  - and the whole album must have captured a new audience in appreciation of the vocal dexterity that the girls had to offer. After a drum roll intro, Diana settles into a sultry mood as she takes on one of the great standards in 'Where Or When', but it is when she takes on the ever popular 'Falling In Love With Love' does the listener really fall in love with this album. A finger snapping rendition of a classic song that has instant appeal and one that Robbie Williams would have been proud of after his change in direction for his number one 'swing' album recently.

The sleeve notes identify the production arrangements of the great Gil Askey who had worked with the Temptations at one point and with a reputation such as his this was always going to be something very special. The opening sequence to 'Dancing On The Ceiling' (not the Lionel Ritchie song) is a typical Broadway production of the highest calibre, and again as with the rest of this set the big band and superb orchestration bring out the best in these songs. In fact, once you have listened to this CD it is hard to imagine to any other artist singing these songs so magnificently. Whilst the doo-wop group the Marcels had the pop hit with 'Blue Moon' this version adds a new dimension to this standard  - and take a close listen to the backing vocals to appreciate what I mean.

The original intention was for this project to have been a double LP which was then re-scheduled to twelve tracks which are all featured here, but the rest of the disc is made up of the complete sessions and boasts thirteen bonus tracks which contain in the vein as the aforementioned with the likes of 'Manhattan'  and the gentle ballad 'With Song In My Heart' (didn't Stevie do a version at sometime?) and 'You Took Advantage Of Me' and the previously unreleased latin flavoured 'I Could Write A Book' before closing with a live version never heard anywhere before of a medley of 'Lady Is A Tramp/Let's Get Away From It All'.

This set is quite simply superb at a time when contemporary pop artists are trying their hands at this style (and with some success too) this serves as a timely reminder of the talents of the Motown artists at that time. If you are looking for something different that you can play to relax and unwind, then this is an absolute must. As we all get older and our musical appreciation widens, this is just the job.

Rating 9/10