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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Billy Preston's 'Encouraging Words' coming to vinyl on Oct. 29, 2021

It's nice to see Billy Preston's "Encouraging Words" coming to vinyl courtesy of Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe later this month...Robert Kinsler

BILLY PRESTON’S ‘ENCOURAGING WORDS’ VINYL ALBUM RELEASE ON OCTOBER 29 CELEBRATES LEGENDARY ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER

 

‘Encouraging Words,’ Billy Preston’s Second Album For Apple Records, Includes Three Gospel-Funk Inspired Covers: The Beatles’ “I’ve Got A Feeling” Plus George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” And “All Things Must Pass”

 

Co-Produced By Billy Preston And George Harrison, 1970’s ‘Encouraging Words’ Showcases Multitalented Keyboard Superstar 

From rock ‘n’ roll jams to rousing gospel to electrifying blues, Encouraging Words exemplifies the wide-ranging talent that Billy Preston was revered for by fans, critics and peers. Revisiting this 1970 album — Preston’s second of two recorded for the iconic Apple Records label — underscores why his legacy as one of the most talented and versatile artists endures. Showcasing the songwriting, singing and musicianship honored with his induction this year into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for musical excellence, Encouraging Words is set for release as a vinyl reissue on October 29 via Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe. Preorder Encouraging Words here.

 

First released in the UK on September 11, 1970, Encouraging Words was co-produced by Billy Preston and George Harrison. Preston recorded two of Harrison’s songs, “All Things Must Pass” and “My Sweet Lord,” for Encouraging Words. Both of Preston’s album cuts were available two months before the versions recorded by George Harrison appeared on his own triple album masterpiece All Things Must Pass, which was recently reissued.

 

In 2010 Record Collector magazine described Encouraging Words as “one of the finest titles in the Apple Records catalogue,” while virtuoso keyboard player Rick Wakeman told BBC Radio 4’s John Wilson he considered Preston’s two Apple albums “absolute gems — a perfect combination of gospel and funk.” 

 

The opener “Right Now” sets that gospel-funk vibe to lyrics about yearning and impatience while the spiritually infused “Little Girl” takes a somber look at love lost. “Use What You Got” has the honky-tonk feel its name suggests and the title track “Encouraging Words,” offers universal wisdom about truth-telling and living the golden rule. With a dramatic classical music intro, Billy immediately shifts gears on “Sing One For The Lord,” which he co-wrote with George Harrison, to a heartfelt and inspirational plea. He takes The Beatles’ classic “I’ve Got A Feeling” into funky territory. Throughout Encouraging Words, impassioned lyrics are bolstered by jam-band energy and Billy’s incredible work on the keys including “Let The Music Play,” “When You Are Mine” and closer “You’ve Been Acting Strange.”

 

As a child prodigy, Billy played the organ for the gospel great Mahalia Jackson, and in 1957 at the age of 10, he performed a vocal and organ duet with Nat King Cole on his US television show. In 1962, at 16, Billy joined Little Richard’s touring band with live dates including a performance in Liverpool, with The Beatles as the opening act. 

 

In 1969, Billy worked with The Beatles once more, playing Hammond organ on the Abbey Road album songs “Something” and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” and on their final studio album Let It Be, which has been remixed and expanded for a new Special Edition to be released October 15 by Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe. For Let It Be, Billy played on “Dig A Pony,” “I’ve Got A Feeling,” “One After 909,” “The Long And Winding Road,” “Dig It,” “Let It Be” and “Get Back.” In April 1969, The Beatles rush-released their worldwide number one single “Get Back”/“Don’t Let Me Down.” Both sides of the disc were credited to “The Beatles with Billy Preston.” “The greatest surprise was when the record came out,” Billy remembered in 2002. “They didn’t tell me they were going to put my name on it! The guys were really kind to me.”

 

On January 30, 1969, Billy performed with The Beatles at their famous rooftop concert atop the Apple Corps headquarters in London. The event was filmed for the 1970 documentary film “Let It Be.” When “The Beatles: Get Back,” the hotly anticipated documentary series directed by three-time Oscar -winning filmmaker Peter Jackson, debuts on Disney+ on November 25, 26 and 27, Billy Preston will be seen lifting The Beatles’ sessions with his boundless talent and buoyant bonhomie.

 

ABOUT BILLY PRESTON

 

Billy's career began at age nine when he portrayed young W.C. Handy in the movie "St. Louis Blues." He dueted with Nat King Cole on Nat's TV show at 11. By 15, he was on the road with Mahalia Jackson, as well as Little Richard and Sam Cooke. In 1962, while backing Little Richard in Hamburg Germany, Billy forged a friendship with Richard's opening act, four chaps named John, Paul, George and Ringo. That friendship evolved, finding Billy participating on the last two albums The Beatles ever recorded and joining them for the last concert they performed on the rooftop of Apple Corps’ London headquarters in January 1969.

 

Prior to recording with The Beatles, Preston was a Capitol Records artist, a regular performer on the ABC-TV series Shindig!, and toured as a featured guest with Ray Charles. Following his Beatles stint, he was on the road with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and numerous others.  

 

Preston enjoyed considerable success as a solo artist. A two-time GRAMMY winner, his massive hits include “Outa Space,” “Nothing From Nothing,” “Will It Go Round In Circles,” “With You I’m Born Again” (with Syreeta), and more.  “You Are So Beautiful,” written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher to honor Billy's mother, was covered by Joe Cocker. The only GRAMMY -nominated version of the song was the duet by Billy Preston and Sam Moore recorded in 2005, which was then nominated for the Best R&B Duo or Group after the 2006 release of Sam's Overnight Sensational album.

 

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame states of the 2021 inductee for Musical Excellence, “Billy Preston blazed a path through the history of rock & roll with the smoking sounds of his B3 organ, the funky rhythms of his clavinet, and the exciting tones of his gospel-inspired vocals and piano...Billy Preston is an essential part of the fabric of rock & roll, the magic ingredient that could take a song from ‘good’ to ‘legendary.’”

 

BILLY PRESTON — ENCOURAGING WORDS [VINYL]

 

SIDE A

(Songwriter/s)

 

1.

Right Now (Billy Preston)

2.

Little Girl (Billy Preston)

3.

Use What You Got (Billy Preston)

4.

My Sweet Lord (George Harrison)

5.

Let The Music Play (Joe Greene/Billy Preston/Jesse Kirkland)

6.

The Same Thing Again (Billy Preston / James Herndon)

 

SIDE B

(Songwriter/s)

 

1.

I've Got A Feeling (John Lennon / Paul McCartney)

2.

Sing One For The Lord (George Harrison / Billy Preston)

3.

When You Are Mine (Billy Preston)

4.

I Don't Want You To Pretend (Billy Preston)

5.

Encouraging Words (Billy Preston)

6.

All Things Must Pass (George Harrison)

7.

You've Been Acting Strange (R.L. Williams)