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Scroll down for reviews of : - Sparks Presents Motown – Made to Measure; Marvin Gaye – The Real Thing; The Sound stage 7 Story; The Best of Rotary Connection ;Chuck Jackson – The Motown Anthology; Kim Weston – The Motown Anthology; The Ultimate Isaac Hayes – Can you dig it?; Motown Made to Measure: James Brown’s Funky People’s Greatest Breakbeats: Cameo Parkway 1957 – 1967; Late Night Motown: The Story of Bo Diddley; Chuck Berry – Reelin and Rockin;

Sparks Presents Motown – Made to Measure

As I mention below I cannot see much sense in the concept, and all of the tracks are well known top, pretty standard fare, Motown items, as a compilation this isn’t a bad selection of tunes, steeped mainly in the 60’s but a few others from Funk to Ballads thrown in.

Cleo's Back - Walker, Junior & The All Stars; 2. Workout Stevie Workout - Wonder, Stevie ;3. Can I Get A Witness - Gaye, Marvin; 4. Brick House – Commodores; 5. Get Ready - Temptations (1); 6. Don't Leave Me This Way - Houston, Thelma; 7. Mickey's Monkey – Miracles ;8. Dancing In The Street - Martha & The Vandellas; 9. Smiling Faces - Undisputed Truth; 10. Money - Strong, Barrett ;11. Nitty Gritty - Knight, Gladys & The Pips
12. Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While) - Weston, Kim; 13. ABC - Jackson Five ;14. Keep On Truckin' - Kendricks, Eddie ;15. Back In My Arms Again - Supremes (1); 16. What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Ruffin, Jimmy ;17. Agent Double O Soul - Starr, Edwin ;18. You Beat Me To The Punch - Wells, Mary; 19. First I Look At The Purse – Contours ;20. Ben - Jackson, Michael

Marvin Gaye – The Real Thing

“This is it — the songs and the footage fans have been waiting for. For the first time ever — the definitive DVD collection of one of America’s greatest stars!

Issued with the full cooperation of the Marvin Gaye estate, this is the first official DVD anthology of classic archival television performances by a Motown artist. Features Marvin Gaye performing his biggest Motown hits, from “Hitch Hike” to “Let’s Get It On” and more, in original classic clips from television and film.

Tracks: -1.  Hitch Hike 2.  Pride & Joy 3.  Can I Get A Witness 4.  Pretty Little Baby 5.  Ain't That Peculiar 6.  You're A Wonderful One 7.  Ain't No Mountain High Enough 8.  I Heard It Through The Grapevine 9.  What's Going On 10.  What's Happening Brother 11.  Come Get To This 12.  Let's Get It On 13.  Distant Lover 14.  A Funky Space Reincarnation 15.  Ego Tripping Out / Sex and Religion 16.  Heavy Love Affair 17.  Hitch Hike 18.  Pride & Joy 19.  Can I Get A Witness 20.  Pretty Little Baby 21.  Ain't That Peculiar 22.  You're A Wonderful One 23.  Ain't No Mountain High Enough”

Review: - A beautifilly package DVD and CD package with 25 marvellous ‘videos’ from the Motwon early days in 1964 and 1965 right through till the 80’s, all taken from US and European TV shows such as Footage TV clips from Hollywood A Go-Go, The Dinah Shore Show, Hollywood Palace and American Bandstand, rarely seen since first aired.

The stunning, long-lost live concert footage from the documentary film, Save The Children, now on home video for the first time anywhere, featuring Marvin with several Funk Brothers including James Jamerson — now with restored stereo audio from the Motown vault

There are 2 hours of performances, remastered. In between Marvin talks about his life and his music taken from various interviews. There is a 50 minute concert , recently unearthed, from Marvin’s hardly-seen Belgium concert, aired only on local Belgian TV in 1981. Fascinating piece of Marvin in the Studio.

Includes a 24-page booklet with an extensive essay by Grammy® Award-winning writer, Rob Bowman, including rare photographs and memorabilia. The CD contains a 70 minute concert in Europe in 1976 which is actually very good, and a 24 page booklet.

This package is essential for Marvin fans, no Motown fans, no Soul Fans, no Music Fans, no EVERYBODY.

The Sound stage 7 Story

Sound Stage Seven Story -  Various - Label: Charly -  SNAJ734CD

 3 Disc Box Set

Price:  £ 19.99  (£17.01 outside EU)

THE DEFINITIVE 3CD HISTORY OF NASHVILLE SOUTHERN SOUL LABEL

Run by legendary DJ John Richbourg, one of the first broadcasters to play records by the likes of Chuck Berry, James Brown, Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin, Nashville-based Sound Stage 7 Records and its affiliated labels - Seventy Seven, Sound Plus and Luna – was responsible for releasing some of the finest Soul and R&B to emerge from America’s South between 1965 and 1977, the golden era of Soul Music

Not surprisingly, given its Nashville connection, the label’s output shows a strong country music influence, even by Southern Soul standards, and some of it was deeply rural and raw-sounding, often embracing blues and gospel and providing a welcome contrast to the slicker and more polished sounds coming out of the big cities at the time.

Disc One of the set, ‘Deep Soul Survey’, concentrates on Sound Stage 7’s first six years (1965-1970).

Disc Two, ‘Deep Soul Survives’, covers the years 1971 through to 1977 and brings in not only releases on Sound Stage 7 during that time, but also product from Richbourg’s own labels Seventy Seven, Sound Plus and Luna. This set then is more than just the story of one label, but rather the output of Richbourg’s production company, JR Enterprises Inc.

Disc Three, ‘Deeper Soul’, digs deeper into the archives and features a host of Southern Soul gems and rarities.

The accompanying 36-page booklet is provides a overview of the SS7 group of labels. As well as a detailed label story, it includes biographies of the major artists and individual tracks notes.

1. John R -Mojo Blues
2. Roscoe Shelton- I Know Your Heart Has Been Broken
3. Little Richie -I Wish I Was A Baby
4. Gwen Davis- I Can't Be Your Part-Time Baby
5. Jimmy Church- Right On Time
6. Lattimore Brown -I Know I'm Gonna Miss You
7. Roscoe Shelton- Easy Going Fellow
8. Joe Simon- Teenager's Prayer
9. Sam Baker- Something Tells Me
10. Allen Orange -V C Blues
11. The Ambassadors -There's Something On My Baby's Mind
12. Roscoe Robinson- Why Are You Afraid
13. Ella Washington -I Can't Afford To Lose Him
14. Joe Simon -You Keep Me Hangin' On
15. Sam Baker -Sunny
16. Ted Ford -Please Give Me Another Chance
17. Lattimore Brown- Otis Is Gone (Part 1)
18. Soul Ambassadors -Just Like She Said She Would
19. Ella Washington- He Called Me Baby
20. Margie Hendrix -Don't Destroy Me
21. Roscoe Robinson -I'm Burning And Yearning (For You)
22. Joe Simon -The Chokin' Kind
23. Sam Baker- It's All Over
24. Fenton Robinson- The Getaway
25. Piney Brown- Nashville Wimmen
26. Chuck Armstrong-How Sweet It Is
27. Moody Scott- I'll Find My Sunshine
28. The Valentines -Got To Get Yourself Together
29. Fenton Robinson- Little Turch e Electrifying- Cashmeres What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)

1. Ella Washington -Too Weak To Fight
2. Willie Hobbs -Where Did I Go Wrong
3. The Continental Showstoppers- Never Set Me Free
4. Billy Mills -Sad Memories
5. Alder Ray Black- Just Because The Package Has Been Unwrapped (Doesn't Mean The Merchandise Is Spoilt)
6. Jackie Beavers- Someone Bigger Than You Or Me
7. Charles Smith -I'm Useless
8. Fenton Robinson- She's A Wiggler
9. Earl Gaines -You're The One
10. Geater Davis -Your Heart Is So Cold
11. Charles Smith -Why Can't I Cry
12. Earl Gaines -Hymn Number 5
13. Geater Davis- I've Got To Pay The Price
14. Ann Sexton -You're Gonna Miss Me
15. Brief Encounter -(Don't You See) I'm Crazy About You
16. The Tears Of Joy- This Is Not Your World
17. Joe Simon -Who's Julie
18. Willie Hobbs -How Could My Baby Know
19. Bill Brantley -A Little Bit More
20. Margie Hendrix- (I Got) Your Mama's Recipe
21. Ann Sexton- I'm His Wife (You're Just A Friend)
22. Betty Everett Hey- Lucinda

 by King- What Made You Change Your Mind?

1. Willie Hobbs- Judge Of Hearts
2.  Joe Simon -Farther On Down The Road
3.  Sam Baker -Hold Back Girl
4.  Ella Washington -Sit Down And Cry
5.  Jackie Beavers- Hey Girl
6.  Fenton Robinson- Mellow Fellow
7.  Earl Gaines -That's How Strong My Love Is
8.  Ann Sexton -Have A Little Mercy
9. Roscoe Shelton- I'm Ready To Love You Now
10. Jimmy Church- I Don’t Care Who Knows
11.  Sam Baker -I Love You
12. Ella Washington- All The Time
13.  Joe Simon -Yours Love; Earl Gaines I Can't Face It
14.  Ella Washington- I Don't Care About Your Past
15.  Fenton Robinson -The Sky Is Crying
16.  Sam Baker- Sometimes You Have To Cry
17.  Ella Washington -Doin' The Best I Can
18. Billy Mills- Easy Going Fellow
19.  Charles Smith -The Only Time You Say You Love Me
20.  Ann Sexton -I Want To Be Loved
21.  Earl Gaines -I'll Take Care Of You
22.  Sam Baker -Let Me Come On Home
23.  Joe Simon -Moon Walk Part 1
24. Joe Simon- Moon Walk Part 2”

Review – A wonderful set, beautifully packaged containing loads of bluesy soul, southern soul, deep soul and all things similar. A journey through your deepest emotions. Of course out of nearly 80 tracks you will not like everything but there are more than a fair share of absolute classics, and with comprehensive sleeve note you will get to know all about the label and the artists. Just to pick out a few of the highlights for me:-

CD1 – Deep Soul Survey, a stunning vocal performance on the midtempo I can’t be your part time baby by Gwen Davis. Another great voice on a wonderful heart rendering plea is Jimmy Church’s Right on time. The slightly sweeeter voice of Lattimore Brown is also worth checking out. Also a couple of tracks by Roscoe Robinson, Burning and Yearning is especially strong. Sam Baker’s Its all over now is stunning. A veritable romp through mid to late 60’s deep soul featuring a lot of well known (in soul circles) artists and other less well known ones.

CD2 – Deep Soul Survives, takes us into the 70’s with a second run of releases. Jackey Beavers was instrumental in several of these tracksincluding the Electrifying Cashmeres and the Continental Showstoppers, which is especially nice, impassioned vocals simple arrangement, lush strings, sweet harmonies and simplicity. Still plenty of bluesy material like Alder Ray Black, geater Davis and Fenton Robinson. Ann Sexton of course was strong and Willie Hobbs too. The best track on this set though is Brief Encouters wonderful Crazy about you.

CD3 – Deeper soul, compiled by Clive Richardson who has picked out some of the deeper gems in the catalogue, from the names mentioned above.My favourites here are Joe Simpn’s Farther on down the road, Ella Washington’s Sit down and Cry and don’t you just wanna!, Sam Baker’s I love you, Charles Smith’s The only time.

The Best of Rotary Connection

Rotary Connection were a multicultural concept group put together by Marshall Chess to freshen up Chess and spearhead the Cadet Concept subsidiary – Psychedelic Chamber Soul and featuring Minnie ripperton. Lots of string arrangements and is dreamy and abient and whilst very much of an era, has attained later notice through things like Tribe called Quest samples, masters at Work covers and Freelance Hellraiser. There is a lot to listen to but it reflects a diametricaly opposite side to the one I grew up on and therefore I find it very difficult to get into it, its very much of a different world for me. Groundbreakig it may have been and it gave us some exceptional talent. Sorry but I find this one exceptionally difficult so I will pass comment.

Tracks –

Disc: 1

1. Magical World 2. Respect 3. Amen 4. Rapid Transport 5. Turn Me On 6. Pink Noise 7. I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun 8. Amuse 9. Sunshine Of Your Love 10. Sursom Mentes

11. Black Noise 12. Memory Band 13. Didn't Want To Have To Do It 14. May Our Amens Be True 15. Tales Of Brave Ulysses 16. Sea And She 17. Hey Love 18. Song For Everyman 19. Love Is

Disc: 2

1. Salt Of The Earth 2. Love Has Fallen On Me 3. If I Sing My Song 4. Weight 5. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp 6. Living Alone 7. Love Me Now 8. Want You To Know

9. I Got My Mojo Working 10. This Town 11. We're Going Wrong 12. Life Could 13. Teach Me How To Fly 14. VIP 15. Let Them Talk

The Story of Bo Diddley –

Released 13 March – maybe the originator of the groove, just check Diddy Wah Diddy. Over 50 tracks and over 50 years of pure history. An excellent anthology, superbly packaged

Disc 1;

1. Mumblin' Guitar;
2. Bo Diddley
3. I'm A Man
4. Diddy Wah Diddy
5. Pretty Thing
6. Bring It To Jerome
7. Diddley Daddy
8. Who Do You Love
9. I'm Bad
10. Cops And Robbers
11. Walkin' And Talkin'
12. Say Man
13. Shut Up Woman
14. Hush Your Mouth
15. You Can't Judge A Book Without Looking At The Cover
16. Story Of Bo Diddley
17. Crackin' Up
18. Craw-Dad
19. She's Fine, She's Mine
20. Bo's A Lumberjack
21. We're Gonna Get Married
22. Don't Let It Go
23. The Greatest Lover In The World
24. Hey Good Lookin'
25. 500% More Man
26. I've Had It Hard

Disc 2

1. Hey Bo Diddley
2. Mona (I Need You Baby)
3. Here Tis
4. Down Home Special (Alias Down Home Train)
5. I'm Looking For A Woman
6. Before You Accuse Me
7. Road Runner
8. Bo Diddley Is Loose
9. Cadillac
10. Oh Yea
11. Who May Your Lover Be
12. You All Green
13. Pills
14. Bo Diddley's A Gunslinger
15. I Can Tell
16. Run Diddley Daddy
17. Hong Kong Mississippi
18. Dearest Darling
19. Willie And Lillie
20. I Know (I'm Alright)
21. You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care)
22. Ride On Josephine
23. Say Boss Man
24. Mr Krushchev
25. Ooh Baby
26. Elephant Man
27. Bo's Bounce

Chuck Berry – Reelin and Rockin

Released 13 March 2006, another in the above series by the originator, the groundbreaking Chuck Berry. Contains all yo would want from the boogie tunes, the fun tunes and out and out original grooves.

Disc 1

1. Guitar Boogie
2. Johnny B Goode
3. Bye Bye Johnny
4. Go Go Go
5. Bio
6. Maybellene
7. You Can't Catch Me
8. Beautiful Delilah
9. School Day
10. I'm Talkin' 'Bout You
11. I Got To Find My Baby
12. Memphis, Tennessee
13. No Money Down
14. Jaguar And Thunderbird
15. Down The Road Apiece
16. Run Rudolph Run
17. I Want To Be Your Driver
18. Promised Land
19. Back In The USA
20. Thirty Days
21. Havana Moon
22. Rock And Roll Music
23. Too Pooped To Pop
24. Come On
25. Viva Viva Rock And Roll
26. I'm A Rocker
27. Back To Memphis
28. Check Me Out
29. Deep Feelin'

Disc 2

1. Liverpool Drive
2. Roll Over Beethoven
3. Let It Rock
4. Sweet Little Sixteen
5. Nadine
6. It Wasn't Me
7. Confessin' The Blues
8. Too Much Monkey Business
9. Around And Around
10. Almost Grown
11. Brown Eyed Handsome Man
12. You Never Can Tell
13. Wee Wee Hours
14. Little Marie
15. Little Queenie
16. Carol
17. Oh Baby Doll
18. Jo Jo Gunne
19. No Particular Place To Go
20. Dear Dad
21. Sweet Little Rock 'N' Roller
22. Ramona Say Yes
23. Tulane
24. Festival
25. Flying Home
26. Reelin' And Rockin'
27. My Ding-A-Ling

Late Night Motown

Well this is totally the opposite of my review under for Motown made to measure. There is a theme, the songs like, they are not overdone items and what do you get a package that hangs together, well structured and full of classy music. Ifn fact I would say that this is one of the best Motown compilations for a while, devoid of tired Northern sounds, but still retaining that Motown Sound

Motown wasn’t all upbeat it was quality vocals as testified by virtually all of these tracks. It still retains all the classics like the Tops, Smokey and the Tempts but groups like Fantastic Four and Originals and Bobby taylor could cut it too. Some great tracks including the wonderful Will Downing and Chante Moore. Special mention to Barbara McNair and the Dynamic Superiors and I’ll tell you what Since I lost you by Gladys Knight …….and the Pips is spectacular.

1. What Love Has Joined Together - Temptations (1) 2. Where Did You Go - Four Tops 3. Little More Love - Weston, Kim 4. Steal Away Tonight - McNair, Barbara 5. Ask The Lonely - Eckstine, Billy 6. To Share Your Love - Fantastic Four (1) 7. Hurt A Little Everyday - Holloway, Brenda 8. Since I Lost You - Knight, Gladys & The Pips 9. If This World Were Mine - Gaye, Marvin & Tammi Terrell

10. Baby Baby Don't Cry - Robinson, Smokey & The Miracles 11. Does Your Mama Know About Me - Taylor, Bobby & The Vancouvers 12. Baby I'm For Real - Originals (1) 13. I Let Love Slip Away - Ruffin, David 14. I Pray You Still Love Me - Ruffin, Jimmy 15. Never Gonna Leave You - Kendricks, Eddie 16. Shoe Shoe Shine - Dynamic Superiors 17. When You Need Me - Downing, Will & Chante Moore 18. Why Did I Choose You - Gaye, Marvin

Cameo Parkway

I know a lot of people will be pleased to see legitimate Cameo Parkway material and in particular would be hopeful of more Northern Soul Releases. This is a varied package covering the whole gamut of Cameo Parkway material, indeed the sound of popular America in th eperiod stated, such was the diversity of the product.

By definition therefore not all relevant to these pages but there is a whole host of material that is, packaged nicely here and with excellent sound quality. From the doowop era through to the mid – late 60’s

Personally I like doowop so stuff like Silhouettes is faultless and great to hear. Of course Cameo was responsible for Chubby Checker (along with some other pretty hideous dance crazes- but we’re only concentrating on things relevant thankfully) and all that went with it, but far superior was the Orlons Wah Watusi, although Chubby teamed with Dee Dee on Slow twistin isn’t half bad, as is she on Mashed Potato. Firmly in American Graffiti land at the end of CD1 and into CD2. The popeye Waddle, whats that all about, if it weren’t Don Covay!. The best of course is the wonderful Candy and the Kisses The 81.

Couple of nice Tymes tracks intro CD3, and then Patti Labelle & her Blue Belles followed by a couple of great tracks SOS Christine Cooper and frankie beverleys stunning Because of my heart. Also of interest to the ‘norther’ boys Christine Coopers Heartaches but I’m sure they would have preferred a different Vickie Baines title, and probably Evie Sands as well.

More soulful interest on CD4 with Eddie Holland and the Five Stairsteps, Delfonics, Bunny Sigler and one of my all times Chris Bartley.Disc: 1

1. Butterfly - Charlie Gracie 2. Fabulous - Charlie Gracie 3. Race for Time - Jerry Arnold, 4. Sing Sing Sing 5. You're the Greatest - Billy Scott 6. Over the Weekend - The Playboys 7. Night Time - Peter Antell 8. Memory Lane 9. Silhouettes - The Rays 10. Daddy Cool - The Rays 11. Back to School Again 12. Class - Chubby Checker 13. Bad Motorcycle 14. Shake a Hand - Mike Pedicin Quintet 15. Dinner With Drac, Pt. 1 16. Mexican Hat Rock

17. Nine More Miles (The Faster, Faster Song) - Georgie Young & the Rockin 'Bocs 18. Birds 'n' Bees - The Temptations 19. Two Weeks With Pay - Georgie Young & the Rockin 'Bocs 20. Rocka-Conga 21. Kissin' Time - Bobby Rydell 22. We Got Love - Bobby Rydell 23. Twist - Chubby Checker 24. Wild One - Bobby Rydell 25. Swingin' School - Bobby Rydell 26. Pony Time - Chubby Checker 27. Teach Me to Twist - Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell 28. Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker 29. Bristol Stomp - The Dovells 30. Wah-Watusi - Orlons 31. Merry Christmas

Disc: 2

1. Slow Twistin' - Chubby Checker, Dee Dee Sharp 2. Mashed Potato Time - Dee Dee Sharp 3. Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes) - Dee Dee Sharp 4. Don't Hang Up - Orlons 5. Ride! - Dee Dee Sharp 6. Do the New Continental - The Dovells 7. Popeye Waddle - Don Covay 8. Limbo Rock - Chubby Checker 9. Cha-Cha-Cha - Bobby Rydell 10. Volare - Bobby Rydell 11. Sweet Georgia Brown - Carroll Brothers 12. One More Time Back to School 13. (I'm the Girl From) Wolverton Mountain - Jo Ann Campbell 14. Rowdy 15. Forget Him - Bobby Rydell

16. Mother Please! - Jo Ann Campbell 17. Come On and Dance With Me 18. Groovy Baby 19. Jam, Pt. 1 - Bobby Gregg 20. You Can't Sit Down - The Dovells 21. South Street - Orlons 22. Everybody South Street 23. Do the Bird - Dee Dee Sharp 24. Not Me - Orlons 25. Crossfire! - Orlons 26. (Everybody Do) The Swim, Pt. 1 - Marlins 27. 81 - Candy & the Kisses 28. Daydreamin' of You 29. Boy With the Beatle Hair - The Swans 30. Jingle Bell Rock - Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell

Disc: 3

1. So Much in Love - The Tymes 2. Wonderful! Wonderful! - The Tymes 3. I'll Be True - Johnny Maestro 4. When We Get Married - The Dreamlovers 5. Somewhere - The Tymes 6. Hey Good Lookin' 7. Just One Chance - The Sparkletones 8. You'll Never Walk Alone - Patti LaBelle 9. Danny Boy - Patti LaBelle 10. Cast Your Fate to the Wind - Sounds Orchestral 11. It Only Took a Minute 12. Long Tall Sally - The Kinks 13. Boys - Peter Best 14. You Still Want Me - The Kinks 15. Funny How Love Can Be - The Ivy League

16. Tossing & Turning - The Ivy League 17. She's Fallen in Love With the Monster Man 18. Wild Thing - Senator Bobby 19. Little White House - Len Barry 20. Fool, Fool, Fool 21. Girl from New York City 22. Society Girl - The Rag Dolls 23. Soldier Baby of Mine - Candy & the Kisses 24. S.O.S. (Heart in Distress) - Christine Cooper 25. Because of My Heart - Frankie Beverly, The Butlers 26. Heartaches Away My Boy - Christine Cooper 27. Got to Run 28. My Boy 29. White Christmas (3 O'Clock Weather Report)

Disc: 4

1. Angel of the Morning - Evie Sands 2. Love of a Boy - Evie Sands 3. This Can't Be True - Eddie Holman 4. World of Fantasy - The Five Stairsteps 5. Come Back - The Five Stairsteps 6. Am I a Loser (From the Start) - Eddie Holman 7. Danger! She's a Stranger - The Five Stairsteps 8. Meet Me in Church - Bobby Marchan 9. You've Been Untrue - The Delfonics 10. Get a Hold of Yourself - The Persians 11. He Don't Really Love You - The Delfonics 12. Sweetest Thing This Side of Heaven - Chris Bartley 13. Grass (Will Sing for You) - Lonnie Youngblood

14. I (Who Have Nothing) - Terry Knight, 15. Beg, Borrow and Steal - Ohio Express 16. 96 Tears 17. I Need Somebody 18. East Side Story - Bob Seger 19. Can't Get Enough of You, Baby 20. Respect - The Rationals 21. Shake Your Tambourine - Bobby Marchan 22. Let the Good Times Roll & Feel So Good - Bunny Sigler 23. Heavy Music, Pt. 1 - Bob Seger 24. Lovey Dovey/You're So Fine - Bunny Sigler 25. Sock It to Me Santa - Bob Seger

James Brown’s Funky People’s Greatest Breakbeats

Following on from the breakbeats and samples albums of james own work, this one features the rest of the JaBo family. Personally I think this one is better with some stunning examples of James Brown funk rhythms, particularly from the ladies, two classics from Marva Whitney, the wonderful Myra Barnes (Vicki Anderson), the late great Lyn Collins prticularly with the mega sampled Think.

But the bedrock of it all I guess is the disciplined but all too feeling JB’s. Its astonishing to see how many times these tracks have been sampled but its much better to see them in all their original, open and unhidden glory. Great album.

1. Unwind Yourself - Whitney, Marva
   2. Same Beat - JB's
   3. Message From The Soul Sisters - Barnes, Myra
   4. Mama Feelgood - Collins, Lyn
   5. Gimme Some More - JB's
   6. It's My Thing (You Can't Tell Me Who To Sock It To) - Whitney, Marva
   7. Givin' Up Food For Funk - JB's
   8. Pass The Peas - JB's 9. Soul Power 74 - Maceo & The Macks
   10. You Can Have Watergate Just Gimme Some Bucks And l'll Be Straight - JB's
   11. More Peas - Wesley, Fred & The JB's
   12. I Know You Got Soul - Byrd, Bobby
   13. Blow Your Head - JB's
   14. Grunt - JB's
   15. Hot Pants (I'm Coming I'm Coming) - Byrd, Bobby
   16. Think (About It) - Collins, Lyn

Motown Made to Measure

Strange one this, the concept that it, take a Motown fan and gte him/her to showcase their favourites, and plunder and repackage the back catalogue. Nothing wrong with the tunes, except most if not all are available elsewhere, so if you want it you probably haven’t got it and if you haven’t why buy an odd track from somebody elses random mix of sounds. Don’t get it really because there is no recurring theme whether it be disco, northern, slowies whatever, something that holds it together – with this there is nothing.

1. I Want You Back - Jackson Five
2. No Matter What Sign You Are - Supremes (1)
3. You Made Me So Very Happy - Holloway, Brenda
4. Night - Valli, Frankie & The Four Seasons
5. Ooh Ooh Baby - Miracles
6. Bells - Originals (1)
7. Please Stay (Don't Go Away) - Gaye, Marvin
8. Ball Of Confusion - Temptations (1)
9. I Feel Sanctified - Commodores
10. Sugar - Wonder, Stevie
11. Hunter Gets Captured By The Game - Marvelettes
12. From Head To Toe - Clark, Chris (1)
13. Never Can Say Goodbye - Jackson Five
14. Trouble Man - Gaye, Marvin
15. Still Waters (Love) - Four Tops
16. It's A Shame - Detroit Spinners
17. Bad Weather - Supremes (1)
18. SOS Stop Her On Sight - Starr, Edwin
19. Tears Of A Clown - Miracles
20. To Know You Is To Love You - Syreeta

The Ultimate Isaac Hayes – Can you dig it?

A superbly put together package, double CD, DVD and booklet, containling pretty much all you could want from the great Isaac Hayes. Obviously most well known for his groundbreaking Shaft soundtrack but for me he excels on those moody deep slow jams. Like Stand Accused or Walk on By. Pretty much excels at everything from instruments , vocals, production writing , whatever.

From being the standout at Wattstax at that time as Black Moses he was THE icon, through soundtracks, fun, jazz and into disco this is a superb package and exceptional value for money.

Disc: 1
1. Theme From Shaft	Listen	Listen
2. Precious, Precious	Listen	Listen
3. Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic	Listen	Listen
4. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)	Listen	Listen
5. Never Can Say Goodbye	Listen	Listen
6. By The Time I Get To Phoenix	Listen	Listen
7. Soulsville	Listen	Listen
8. Wonderful	Listen	Listen
9. Help Me Love	Listen	Listen
10. Need To Belong To Someone	Listen	Listen
11. Good Love	Listen	Listen
12. The Look Of Love	Listen	Listen
13. Do Your Thing	Listen	Listen
14. For The Good Times	Listen	Listen
15. I Stand Accused	Listen	Listen

Disc: 2
1. Walk On By	Listen	Listen
2. Joy (Part 1)	Listen	Listen
3. His Eye Is On The Sparrow	Listen	Listen
4. Brand New Me	Listen	Listen
5. If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right)	Listen	Listen
6. Someone Made You For Me	Listen	Listen
7. Baby I'm-A Want You	Listen	Listen
8. Let's Stay Together	Listen	Listen
9. Theme From The Men	Listen	Listen
10. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)	Listen	Listen
11. Title Theme	Listen	Listen
12. Run Fay Run	Listen	Listen
13. Chocolate Chip	Listen	Listen
14. Come Live With Me	Listen	Listen
15. Disco Connection	Listen	Listen
16. Rock Me Easy Baby (Part 1)	Listen	Listen
17. Medley: By The Time I Get To Phoenix/I Say A Little Prayer	Listen	Listen

Chuck Jackson – The Motown Anthology

Unmistakeable voice of the Great Chuck Jackson, his time at Motown was relatively short and this expansive set covers most of what he did. It’s probably fair to say that he didn’t set the world alight at Motown reaching them at a transitional time for them, and I’m not to sure whether his voice suited the old Motown or the emerging Motown. Nonethless there is somefine material here which would fall into both of those categoties.

Chuck Jackson Arrives was the first album, here in full. There’s only a couple of tracks produced by Norman Whitfield, even including a plethora of unreleased material but I particularly like both of them, Chuck’ss stamp on Lonely lonely man am I and Ain’t no sun. Another great fingersnapper is What am I gonna do without you. Girls is classic Smokey ltrically and greatly performed.

Going back to Chuck Jackson was issued in 1969 and marked a change from the first album which was pure typical 60’s motown. This album was more Chuck terriory in a sense, ballads suiting that great voice, but leant for my ears more towards the middle of the road. It contained soe nice tracks but nothing too inspiring.

Teardrops keep falling on my heart was towards the end of 1970, old Motown was gone, new directions were forming. This album therefore somewhat lacked direction but my there are some great vocal performances on here, several tracks being copenned by Joe hinton and so there was a Southern Soul feel to this, particularly a glorious Is there anything love can do. Just a little love is another immaculate vocal performance.

The lat 12 tracks are unissued versions which range from the dreadful Pet Names, It must be love which will please the Uk’s insatiable Northern Soul fraternity, an interesting Edwin Starr production (interesting – I didn’t say good!),

Side 1 1. MP3 WMA "You Can't Let The Boy Overpower The Man In You" 2. MP3 WMA "Your Wonderful Love" 3. MP3 WMA "Lonely Lonely Man Am I" 4. MP3 WMA "Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone" 5. MP3 WMA "I Can't Go On Sharing Your Love" 6. MP3 WMA "Forgive My Jealousy" 7. MP3 WMA "To See The Sun Again" 8. MP3 WMA "What Am I Gonna Do Without You" 9. MP3 WMA "I Like Everything About You" 10. MP3 WMA "We'll Find A Way" 11. MP3 WMA "Where You Gonna Run To Now" 12. MP3 WMA "Girls Girls Girls" 13. MP3 WMA "Are You Lonely For Me Baby" 14. MP3 WMA "Honey Come Back" 15. MP3 WMA "Can You Fell It, Babe" 16. MP3 WMA "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" 17. MP3 WMA "Cry Like A Baby" 18. MP3 WMA "You Keep Running Away" 19. MP3 WMA "Can I Change My Mind" 20. MP3 WMA "I'd Still Love You" 21. MP3 WMA "The Chokin Kind" 22. MP3 WMA "The Day My World Stood Still" 23. MP3 WMA "No More Water In The Well" 24. MP3 WMA "Rosalind" Side 2 1. MP3 WMA "Let Somebody Love Me" 2. MP3 WMA "I Can't Let My Heaven Walk Away" 3. MP3 WMA "Is There Anything Love Can't Do" 4. MP3 WMA "The Thrill Is Gone" 5. MP3 WMA "Baby, I'll Get It" 6. MP3 WMA "Rainy Night In Georgia" 7. MP3 WMA "Just A Little Love (Before My Life Is Gone)" 8. MP3 WMA "I'll Fight It (Til I Win Your Love)" 9. MP3 WMA "There's a Rainbow In Your Heart" 10. MP3 WMA "Two Feet From Happiness" 11. MP3 WMA "That's Me Lovin You" 12. MP3 WMA "Have You Heard About The Fool" 13. MP3 WMA "Pet Names" 14. MP3 WMA "Who You Gonna Run To" 15. MP3 WMA "It Must Be Love Baby" 16. MP3 WMA "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" 17. MP3 WMA "Nothing Can Ever Come Between Us" 18. MP3 WMA "Fan The Flame" 19. MP3 WMA "Thanks But No Thanks" 20. MP3 WMA "At Lat I Found A True Love" 21. MP3 WMA "Without Your Love" 22. MP3 WMA "Here Comes The Morning" 23. MP3 WMA "Helpless" 24. MP3 WMA "Pin Point It Down"

Kim Weston – The Motown Anthology

Whilst I quite enjoyed the above compilation, I have to say that this one didn’t do an awful lot for me other than confirm why she probably didn’t make it through to the first division of Motown. Ok there is some good stuff on here like the jazz club tinkly piano powerful bluesy ballad of Just Loving You.

Most of the material that is adored, particularly by the Uk, seems to me to be pretty formulaic. You could argue that 60’s motown itself was formulaic an it was but that still didn’t stop huge stars coming through, but there were an awful lot of wannabees, not only on Motown but copycat styles, that used the formula but didn’t have the magic. I’m afraid for me there is little magic on this set, it’s OK in the main with one or two classics coming through.

I’m still loving you still hits the spot for me but I wonder whether it is the song, the performance, or the images of those sweaty walls in a misspent youth.

Side 1 1. MP3 WMA "Love Me All Day" 2. MP3 WMA "Just Loving You" 3. MP3 WMA "Looking For The Right Guy" 4. MP3 WMA "A Little More Love" 5. MP3 WMA "I'm Still Loving You" 6. MP3 WMA "A Thrill A Moment" 7. MP3 WMA "Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)" 8. MP3 WMA "Helpless" (long version) 9. MP3 WMA "You Hit Me Where It Hurt Me" 10. MP3 WMA "Hurt A Little Everyday" 11. MP3 WMA "Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" 12. MP3 WMA "I Don't Know If I'm Coming Or Going" 13. MP3 WMA "I'm Gonna Make It Up To You" 14. MP3 WMA "Come & Get These Memories" 15. MP3 WMA "Will I Find My Love" 16. MP3 WMA "You Can Do It" 17. MP3 WMA "I Got A Weak Heart" 18. MP3 WMA "Marionette" 19. MP3 WMA "Fancy Meeting You Here" 20. MP3 WMA "You Wonderful Sweet Sweet Love" 21. MP3 WMA "Where Am I Going" 22. MP3 WMA "When I Lost You" 23. MP3 WMA "Helpless" (short version) 24. MP3 WMA "Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)" (alternate version) Side 2 1. MP3 WMA "I Know His Name (Only His Name)" 2. MP3 WMA "Meet Me Half Way" 3. MP3 WMA "Perfect Love" 4. MP3 WMA "Loving Tough" 5. MP3 WMA "Love Trouble Heartache & Misery" 6. MP3 WMA "Look My Way" 7. MP3 WMA "Another Train Coming" 8. MP3 WMA "I Need Him" 9. MP3 WMA "Your Mother Called On Me Today" 10. MP3 WMA "I'm The Exception To The Rule" 11. MP3 WMA "Build Him Up" 12. MP3 WMA "Go On Without Me" 13. MP3 WMA "When We Get Together" 14. MP3 WMA "One & One Makes Two(aka Waiting Out The Blues)" 15. MP3 WMA "Joey Joey" 16. MP3 WMA "Just Call Me" 17. MP3 WMA "He's My Baby (aka Sugar Baby)" 18. MP3 WMA "Any Girl In Love (Knows What I'm Going Through)" 19. MP3 WMA "I Love You, Yes I Do" 20. MP3 WMA "Drop In The Bucket" 21. MP3 WMA "Absent Minded Lover" 22. MP3 WMA "I Got Good News" 23. MP3 WMA "What Have I Done To Myself" 24. MP3 WMA "This Dream"

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