In a history so rich, there's always more to know. Nothing illustrates the point better than this compilation of rare and previously unissued Motown recordings. It summons the work of artists, familiar and unfamiliar, committed to tape at the company's headquarters at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit between 1961 and 1968 - arguably Motown's golden era. Among the familiar names here are Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Marv Johnson, the Temptations and Four Tops - mainstays whose unique talent, when coupled with that of the company's in-house songwriters, musicians and producers, empowered Motown during the 20th Century, and continues to ensure it's legacy in the 21st. Among the unfamiliar? Michael Thomas, for one; Johnny Earl, for another. And the truth is that some of the others here - the Hit Pack, the Serenaders, Gino Parks - are barely known outside the circle of Motown aficionados. Of this collection's 25 tracks, 15 have never been available before, but the music is surely as engaging and illuminating as anything already out in the world. Sadly, nobody can be quite certain who within Motown was advocating for these lesser-known artists, or why the music failed to capture sufficient votes in the company's storied Quality Control meetings every Friday - or at least the pre-meeting approval of the QC queen, Janie Bradford. There is, however, an advocate who can be cited here: the late Keith Hughes, who died during the making of this compilation. Keith was unswerving in his devotion to Motown, and to it's many backstories. Since 2010, Keith compiled and annotated more than 20 such albums for Ace Records and it's offspring, Kent, working with colleagues Mick Patrick, Tony Rounce and, at Universal Music's Motown catalogue division, Harry Weinger.

Tracklist:

Without You Babe - Skip Cunningham
Baby Hit And Run (Version 1) - The Contours
The Rose Of My Life - Michael Thomas
Lucky Lucky Me - Ivy Jo Hunter
Stop And Think About Love - Johnny Earl
Show Me The Way - J.J. Barnes
Since I Don't Have You - The Temptations
Must Be Quite A Show - Marvin Gaye
Sad Souvenirs - Marv Johnson
Dream Girl - Smokey Robinson ; The Miracles
I Feel Like I'm Falling In Love Again - Jimmy Ruffin
Just Your Love - Four Tops
Goodbye Eilene - Shorty Long
Stepping Closer To Your Heart - The Monitors
To See The Sun Again - Ivy Jo Hunter
I Had A Vision - Freddie Gorman
All I Got - Gino Parks
Hush - Sammy Ward
Who Do You Love - Bruce Channel
It's Love Baby (24 Hours Of The Day) - Joe Stubbs
We Shall Not Be Moved - Lamont Dozier
Slick Chick - The Serenaders
Sing A Little Song About You - Marv Johnson
Hamtramck Mama - Mike Valvano ; R Dean Taylor
2
We Call It Fun - The Hit Pack

UPC: 029667113021
Label: Kent Records Uk
Release Date: 4.4.25
Format: CD

Hit & Run: More Motown Guys / Various (Uk) - Hit & Run: More Motown Guys / Various (Uk) (CD)