Classic Soul Hits - Temptations (The)

Advantages: These are two of their greatest studio albums
Disadvantages: None!

...band known as The Funk Brothers, great lyrics from Holland-Dozier-Holland, a soulful, sexually-charged tour de force vocal performance from Diana Ross to some strong and highly effective backing vocals from Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson make this yet another perfect Supremes classic and was scores ahead of the light Pop/R&B ballads of their earlier phenomenon. All the more surprisingly Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart only got as far as No.9 on the U.S billboard charts and didn't even chart in the U.K though it certainly had all the momentum and fire to have cracked the top spot. (Incidentally Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart went on to become a big Northern Soul hit in the 1970's) The remainder of The Supremes A Go Go (1966) were crammed with impressive, dynamic cover versions of familiar hits of the day all of which were... Read review

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Advantages: The superb Ball Of Confusion and the sublime Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
Disadvantages: None

...blended fantastically well together which gelled neatly into the state-of-the-art soul production. However catapulting them into wider recognition was their 1965 hit, My Girl, which soon became a chart-topper and one of their most distinguished classics. This was also one of Smokey Robinsons most lyrically and evocative compostions. With its sweeping strings and unforgetable vocal trade-offs on the chrous, this has easily become one of Motowns signature tunes. They also conveyed their versatality on such lush, romantic ballads that steered narrowly into pop with such offerings as I Wish It Would Rain, Since I Lost My Baby and You're My Everything as well as enjoying a dynamic tour de force with Diana Ross and the Supremes on such fabulous cuts such as I'm Gonna Make You Love Me, which are all included on this superbly compiled... Read review

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Advantages: Fully comprehensive - Jam/Style Council included; great music; well packaged; available for bargain prices
Disadvantages: does not include the original version of 'that's entertainment.' A real shame!

...with great, mature vocals, a catchy melody and a warm sound. Perfect for a quiet night in by the fire. Paul's vocals make the song complete, though the quite eerie arrangement obviously has a big part to play. There are still some soulful overtones on disc 3 leftover from the Council era - notably the earlier material such as 1992's 'uh huh oh yeh' which samples the Supreme's motown classic 'reflections' and complete with its brass section, is very reminiscent to soul classics of the late 60s. 'Uh huh oh yeh' is a fun moment on this CD, as well as the hit 'the weaver,' which has some great lyrics, though even I don't know what he was trying to get at. My two recommendations for forgotten classics include the hit 'broken stones,' which is probably one of my favourite chill-out tracks - very summery sound and lyrically, faultless - "Like... Read review

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