Vinyl Reissues: Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross And The Supremes and The Temptations arrive on Sept. 13 via Motown Sound Collection

 Pretty exciting announcements today for vinyl lovers...Robert Kinsler

THE MOTOWN SOUND COLLECTION: SEPTEMBER 13 OFFERS THE RELEASE OF MARVIN GAYE’S IN THE GROOVE, DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES’ LOVE CHILD,  AND MEET THE TEMPTATIONS Elemental Music’s LP Reissue Series of Classic and Collectible Albums from the Legendary Detroit Soul Label Continues with Monthly Releases Through the End of 2024 MARVIN GAYE In The Groove DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES Love Child THE TEMPTATIONS Meet The Temptations AUGUST 28, 2024 (New York, NY) — Elemental Music’s ongoing LP reissue series, the Motown Sound Collection, continues with the release on September 13, 2024 of three more classic titles from the Detroit record label’s archives: Marvin Gaye’s In The Groove, Diana Ross And The Supremes’ Love Child, and The Temptations’ debut album, Meet The Temptations (in its original mono).   MARVIN GAYE’S In The Groove In The Groove was initially released on August 26, 1968, on the Motown subsidiary Tamla Records; however, it was reissued the following year under the title I Heard It Through The Grapevine after that song became a smash success. In The Groove, his first solo studio outing in several years represents the singer reestablishing himself as a solo artist following recordings that paired him first with Kim Weston and later with Tammi Terrell. The album also found Gaye operating without his go-to songwriting team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland, who split from Motown in early 1968. In The Groove, which reached #2 on Billboard’s Soul chart, is well stocked with tunes from other Motown hitmakers, such as Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield, and Ivory Jo Hunter (including the Stevie Wonder collaboration "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever"). There’s also a cover of Goffin & King’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” and two tracks Gaye co-wrote with his then-wife Anna Gordy Gaye, “Change What You Can” and “At Last (I Found a Love).” MARVIN GAYE "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" Link: https://youtu.be/YDieeDqUEx8?si=a6OTYDucwLGMi-qR DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES’ Love Child Released on November 13, 1968, Love Child was the group’s 15th studio album; it’s also one of the first studio releases after they became Diana Ross And The Supremes (the name change occurred the prior year when Cindy Birdsong replaced Florence Ballard). The title track, which soon became one of the Supremes’ iconic hits, “Love Child,” achieved a #1 triple crown - topping the Billboard Hot 100, Cashbox Top 100, and Record World’s Top 100 charts in the US, as well as reaching #1 in the UK, New Zealand, and Canada. The album also features the Smokey Robinson song “He’s My Sunny Boy,” a pair of Ashford & Simpson gems (“Some Things You Never Get Used To” and “You Ain’t Livin’ Till You’re Lovin’”), and “Can’t Shake It Loose,” which George Clinton co-wrote while working as a Motown staff writer. Critic Jason Elias’ praised Love Child for having a “late-'60s Motown sound without gimmicks” and proclaiming it “is more than recommended.” DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES  "Love Child" Link: https://youtu.be/W_C8mvT5o4w?si=GqhcfBqK0hhB68_P THE TEMPTATIONS’ Meet The Temptations 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the Temptations’ debut album, Meet The Temptations, which All Music Guide’s Bruce Eder hailed as a “great record” in his 4½ star review. While more a collection of singles than a studio effort, Meet The Temptations provides a fascinating look at how the Temptations’ sound developed over their first recordings as the group worked with different producers, including Berry Gordy, Norman Whitfield, and Smokey Robinson. Among these early singles, only 1962 released “Dreams Come True” broke into the charts. However, the Temptations’ fortunes changed with their 1964 career-launching single, “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” which topped off at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, hitting #1 on Cash Box’s R&B Single Chart. The song also marked the debut of the classic Temptations lineup, with new member David Ruffin joining Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams. The reissue will come out in mono, just as when Motown first released Meet The Temptations. THE TEMPTATIONS "Dreams Come True" Link/Embed: https://youtu.be/6O90e2fRSTk?si=n1fKDyUskPFg56kf These unforgettable Hitsville titles are part of a continuing series of long-playing vinyl reissues of crate digger favorites from the Motown Records catalog. All releases will replicate the ‘60s and ‘70s LPs’ bold sound and 12-by-12 full-color packaging. The Motown Sound Collection will continue with titles scheduled for release through early 2025. Forthcoming titles include a red vinyl version of the Jackson 5’s Third Album and the mono edition of the Supremes’ A Bit of Liverpool (October 11), the mono versions of Four Tops and Marvin Gaye’s When I’m Alone I Cry (November 15), and The Temptations’ Solid Rock (December 13). Founded in 2012, Elemental Music specializes in the release of newly discovered and out-of-print recordings, primarily jazz, blues, and soul. These recordings are meticulously curated and reissued with love.    For more information about Elemental Music's Motown Sound Collection: https://www.elemental-music.com/72-motown The complete 2024 release schedule for the Motown Sound Collection (LINK):  May 10: The Temptations: I Wish It Would Rain The Supremes: We Remember Sam Cooke June 7: Smokey Robinson: Smokey (Blue Vinyl/Gatefold edition)  The Four Tops’ Still Waters Run Deep July 12: Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells’ Together (Mono edition) The Supremes’ I Hear a Symphony (Green vinyl) The Temptations’ Cloud Nine Aug. 16: The Jackson Five: Get It Together (Red Vinyl/Die-Cut Cover) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles’ Make It Happen (Mono edition)  More Hits By The Supremes (Mono edition) Sept. 13: Meet the Temptations (Mono edition)  Marvin Gaye’s In the Groove Diana Ross And The Supremes’ Love Child Oct. 11: The Jackson 5: Third Album (Red Vinyl)  The Supremes: A Bit of Liverpool (Mono edition) The Temptations’ Sky’s the Limit Nov. 15: Four Tops (Mono edition) Marvin Gaye: When I’m Alone I Cry (Mono edition)  Eddie Kendricks’ People…Hold On Dec. 13: Gladys Knight & the Pips’ Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the One to Say Goodbye) The Temptations’ Solid Rock The Undisputed Truth: The Undisputed Truth

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New music: Ruthie Foster, Bruce Springsteen, Janis Joplin & Jorma Kaukonen

Songstress Ruthie Foster, rock and roll great Bruce Springsteen, and classic rock notables Janis Joplin and Jorma Kaukonen are featured on new releases.

Artist: Ruthie Foster

Title: Healing Time (Blue Corn Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, Ruthie Foster

Tell me more: Ruthie Foster's stirring ninth studio album Healing Time is a fantastic disc of genuine and authentic soul. No surprise that Foster delivers another batch of winning songs that soar, her vocals a constant wonder across the dozen-track disc that simultaneously showcases her immense skills as a top-tier songwriter. The gospel mining "Feels Like Freedom" brings chills with its power and beauty all while avoiding the modern day bombast that would diminish the might of the track. The potent and anthemic "Soul Searching" is an explosive celebration of love. Blues lovers will appreciate the longing "What Kind Of Fool," where the Austin songstress uses her full vocal range across the song's wonderful arc. The wistful "Lie Your Way To The Truth" dips into pop, but the soundscape shares more in common with the artful sonics of Florence + the Machine than the disposable and robotic approach of so many contemporary R&B hitmakers. Other memorable selections on Healing Time include the spiritual-minded "I Was Called," tuneful "Finish Line," acoustic blues foray "4 AM" and majestic "Paradise." Information: RuthieFoster.com.

Artist: Bruce Springsteen

Title: Only The Strong Survive (Columbia Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Sam Moore, Bruce Springsteen, classic Motown

Tell me more: On his first new album since 2020's Letter To You, Bruce Springsteen revisits a number of Gamble and Huff, Motown and Stax classics on the rousing 15-track Only The Strong Survive. Rather than recreate faithful takes on the material (such as the approach KISS lead singer Paul Stanley took on Paul Stanley's Soul Station's impressive debut album in 2021), Springsteen fuses his own signature sound with the well-known musical stylings identified with the original versions. Among the memorable tracks is an emotive take on the Commodores' 1985 track "Nightshift," the joyous Frank Wilson 1965 hit "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)," nuanced reading of the Walker Brothers 1966 hit "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore," a tender version of the Four Tops' "When She Was My Girl" and the sorrowful "I Wish It Would Rain," the latter a song recorded by the Temptations in 1967. Springsteen is joined by 87-year-old soul music great Sam Moore on the inspired "Soul Days" and lovely "I Forgot To Be Your Lover." Across the album the receives backing from The E Street Horns, full string arrangements by Rob Mathes, as well as backing vocals from Lisa Lowell, Doozie Tyrell, Curtis King Jr., Michelle Moore, Dennis Collins and Fonzi Thornton. Information: BruceSpringsteen.net.

Artist: Janis Joplin & Jorma Kaukonen

Title: The Legendary Typewriter Tape: 6/25/64 Jorma's House (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna

Tell me more: Set for release on Dec. 2, The Legendary Typewriter Tape: 6/25/64 Jorma's House is an important and historical release featuring singer Janis Joplin and guitarist Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) — along with Jorma's wife Margareta Kaukonen typing away intermittently in the background — recorded on a reel-to-reel machine at the beginning of their respective careers. Although the recording has previously been available via inferior bootlegs, the official version released by Omnivore Recordings today (Dec. 2, 2022) features restoration and mastering from Grammy-winner Michael Graves and sounds wonderful. There are a mix of originals and reworked blues standards. Joplin's own "Kansas City Blues," the evocative "Hesitation Blues," a moving take on Jimmie Cox's "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," and the fiery Joplin-penned "Daddy, Daddy Daddy" are among the winning performances captured back in the summer of 1964. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Legendary TV special MOTOWN 25 coming as a new Retail DVD Collector's Set on September 27, 2016

Fans of Motown have more than it being Friday to celebrate today!

"A soulful spectacular"

-- People Magazine

 

IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT

TV SPECIALS IN HISTORY...

 

THIS FALL, DON'T MISS THE GROUNDBREAKING CONCERT THAT CELEBRATED 25 ICONIC YEARS 

OF MOTOWN RECORDS

 

MOTOWN 25: YESTERDAY· TODAY · FOREVER

Perfect for Gift-Giving, the New 6-Disc Retail Configuration, Includes an Extended Version of the Legendary Concert with New 5.1 Surround Sound, Over 14 Hours of Bonus Features and an Exclusive 48-Page Collector's Book

 

Street Date: September 27, 2016

DVD SRP: $79.95

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

 

Michael Jackson performing on 'Motown 25'

When Motown 25: Yesterday · Today · Forever aired on NBC on May 16, 1983, it was an immediate sensation and became one of the most talked about concerts and TV specials ever.  In an era before social media, MOTOWN 25 was a true water-cooler event, marking the first time that music fans saw Michael Jackson do the moonwalk (aka: the six seconds that changed the world), in addition to many other buzzworthy moments -- reunions by the Miracles and the Supremes; the first battle of the bands between The Temptations and Four Tops; and the hottest comedian in the world at the time, Richard Pryor, as host.

 

Taped before a live audience MOTOWN 25 featured virtually every Motown artist from the company's inception, including Jackson moonwalking during "Billie Jean" and performing "I Want You Back" with The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye crooning "What's Going On", Smokey Robinson with "The Tears of a Clown", Stevie Wonder soulfully singing "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", Diana Ross with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", The Temptations with "My Girl", Four Tops with "Baby I Need Your Loving" and many more!  A seminal event in pop culture history, this concert event would go on to provide the backstory for the Tony®-nominated Broadway play, "Motown: The Musical", as well as set the bar for all future televised concert events.

 

A new-to-retail configuration, MOTOWN 25: YESTERDAY· TODAY · FOREVER includes an extended version of the Motown 25 concert with over 20 additional minutes not seen in the original broadcast, brand-new 5.1 surround sound, over 14 hours of specially-produced bonus features, and an exclusive 48-page collector's booklet packed with information about the show and artists, and never-before-scene photos from the production and essays on Motown performers.

 

BONUS FEATURES

•  "Signed, Sealed, Delivered - The Making of Motown 25", which tells the behind-the-scenes story of the making of the concert, and offers new insights into the rise of Motown and its roster of influential stars
• Rare footage of Marvin Gaye ad-libbing at the piano prior to a soulful version of "What's Going On"
• Stevie Wonder rehearsal footage
• Nine Featurettes, Including "What's Going On: Marvin Gaye", "Come and Get These Memories: Inside Hitsville" and "Dancin' In The Streets: The History of Motown"
• A 2-Part Motown 25 Performers Roundtable featuring Smokey Robinson and Duke Fakir (Four Tops), Otis Williams (The Temptations) and Executive Producer Suzanne de Passe, taped at the location of the original concert, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium
• A "Yesterday · Today · Forever" Production Roundtable with de Passe, Director/Producer Don Mischer and others
• Over 25 exclusive interviews with performers and crew, including Claudette Robinson (The Miracles), Martha Reeves (Martha & the Vandellas), Smokey Robinson, Nelson George, Gloria Jones, Adam Ant, Buz Kohan (Head Writer), David Goldberg (Executive in Charge of Production), Mickey Stevenson (Former Head of A&R/Songwriter), Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Songwriters/Producers) and many more. 

PROGRAM INFORMATION

 

Format: DVD (6 Discs)

Running Time: 975 minutes

Genre:  TV/Music/Performance

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Audio: 5.1 Surround Sound

Music Worth Buying episode: 'Beatles Stories' and 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown'

Watch the latest episode of Music Worth Buying where we look at several of our favorite music documentaries; I feature director Seth Swirsky's wonderful Beatles Stories and TJR reviews the illuminating Standing in the Shadows of Motown:

Sights and Sounds: Hank Williams, The Temptations, The Supremes

With so many modern-day Americana and alt country artists gaining well-deserved attention (Mumford & Sons, Trampled by Turtles, The Wilderness of Manitoba, David Serby, Michael Ubaldini, etc.), it's no wonder there is renewed interest in the pioneers of the genre. Let's kick things off with lots of news about Hank Williams. Today's post offers plenty to excite fans of classic Motown too.


Time Life Continues to Shed New Light On American Music Legend
Hank Williams By Releasing Two New Digital Projects September 13, 2011

Offering First Ever E-Book Online: “Hank Williams: The Mother’s Best Shows In Words And Music” Penned by Hank Williams Biographer and Historian Colin Escott

Available For the First Time Digitally The Entire 143 Song Grammy Nominated “Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus!”

Hank Williams’ talent and life story continue to fascinate music fans around the world nearly 60 years after his death. As a result, Williams has become one of Time Life’s most successful artists during the last three years and now the company has partnered with Warner Distribution Company as a continuing part of this project for a new e-book about the music legend, Hank Williams: The Mother’s Best Shows In Words And Music that releases September 13, 2011. The book is written by the renowned Hank Williams historian, Colin Escott and takes the reader on a voyage of discovery into the roots of Williams’ music and the stories behind some of his most successful songs. His text considerably expands his work on the three top-selling box sets from the Mother’s Best recordings, including the highly acclaimed and Grammy nominated Time Life project, Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus!

Hank Williams: The Mother’s Best Shows In Words And Music is a new direction for Time Life by releasing the book digitally, and offering a unique synthesis of words, music, and photos. Besides providing the background on the history of the Mother’s Best radio shows, the e-book creates a compelling portrait of an artist that gave almost no interviews during his short 29-year life and results in a fascinating understanding of why this Pulitzer Prize winning artist still resonates with us after all these years.

According to Hank’s daughter, Jett Williams, “The relationship between the man, his music, his sense of humor, his overwhelming charisma, and the genius and tragedy of his short life all come together in these new initiatives. His awesome talent has not only survived the ages, it has survived and embraced the technology revolution and has become available once again to his ever-widening fan base.”

“From the beginning of this project we wanted to re-present Hank Williams in a fully three dimensional way sharing new insights into the man, his personality, music tastes, influences and his genius,” says Mike Jason, Senior Vice President/Retail, Time Life. “The e-book format has enabled Colin Escott to blend music, the story, photos and video into a more full representation. The forty-minute documentary included with the e-book features Williams’ daughter Jett interviewing two of Hank’s original band members. It wonderfully hits the mark, blending deeply personal reminscences and humor from these former Drifting Cowboys.”

At the same time, Time Life will digitally release the entire Grammy nominated project, Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus! that was also instrumental in Williams becoming the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize Award last year. The box set will be available at all digital music outlets. The project contains 72 complete 15-minute shows, featuring 143 performances by Hank Williams together with conversation, and much more. The recordings are from Williams’ Mother’s Best Flour shows, recorded at the pinnacle of his career in 1951. When Williams was planning to be out on tour, he prerecorded his Mother’s Best shows, and 72 of them miraculously survived.

As announced earlier, September 13 will also mark the release date of Hank Williams: The Legend Begins that includes the very first recordings of Williams at fifteen-years-old, home recordings from 1940 and his first radio series, Health And Happiness. All of the music in the 3-CD package has been meticulously restored with state of the art technology and brings Williams once again into the living room of the listener, as it would have over sixty years ago.


Classic Motown performances from 'The Ed Sullivan Show' with never-before-released footage

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) and SOFA Entertainment present The Best of The Temptations on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Best of The Supremes on The Ed Sullivan Show in celebration of The Temptations and Supremes 50th Anniversary. Both collections will be released on September 13, 2011 are packed with classic Motown performances from The Ed Sullivan Show, taped live between 1964 and 1971, and are fully restored with never before released footage.


The Supremes rose from poverty to become Motown’s most consistent hit-maker and the most popular female group of the 60’s. Along with the charmed circle of Motown singers, writers, producers and players, they rewrote the book on pop music, sang their way into the hearts of millions and made a lasting impression that continues to this day.

With a total of 16 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Best Of The Supremes collects some of the group’s greatest performances. Included in this DVD is their very first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in December 1964, showcasing their No. 1 hit "Come See About Me." Other timeless performances featured are “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “My World is Empty Without You,” “Baby Love,” “Stop! In The Name of Love” and “The Happening.” And, for the first time on DVD, this collection includes a full version of “Up the Ladder to the Roof” which is the only appearance by the “New Supremes” after Diana Ross went on to pursue a solo career.


The Temptations began their musical life in Detroit in the early sixties. With their flashy suits, distinctive harmonies and precise, split-second choreography, they popularized a refined style of performance that made them a household name. For the first time on DVD, you get the best of their Ed Sullivan Show performances. Included in this collection is the group’s very first appearance in May 1967, in which they performed a medley of hits including “My Girl” and “(I Know) I’m Losing You.” Other songs featured are the group’s No. 1 hit “I Can’t Get Next to You,” a playful version of “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” the Top Ten hit “Psychedelic Shack,” and the 1969 hit single “Runaway Child, Running Wild” with Dennis Edwards replacing David Ruffin.

Highlights of this collection include:
The Temptations’ special appearance alongside The Supremes with each group performing a medley of the other group’s hits, including “Get Ready,” “Stop! In The Name Of Love,” and “Baby Love.”
DVD debuting performances by The Temptations of “Hello Young Lovers,” “Autumn Leaves,” and never-before-released medleys of “Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue),” “All I Need,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “I’ll Be There” and “My Sweet Lord.”
The Temptations’ last appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1971 in which they performed “Get Ready” and their No. 1 hit “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me).” These tender and soulful performances were a fitting farewell to The Ed Sullivan Show.

Today, The Temptations and The Supremes continue to be an essential component of the Motown legacy. The Temptations recent DVD release, Get Ready: Definitive Performances 1965-1972, is currently double platinum, and their recent ICON CD has already sold more than 100,000 copies. The Supremes DVD release, Reflections - Definitive Performances 1964-1969 is also now double platinum. Fifty years later, original fans as well as new fans confirm with steady sales that these performers’ true artistry and talent is timeless.

For More Information Go To The Official Ed Sullivan Show Website.