Advantages: Every Track's a Classic! Disadvantages: None as such!
A well-assembled box set containing just some of Motown's most golden and definitive classics. Nobody knew Motown Records was going to take off in the way it did. Berry Gordy intended to use his artists to break down the then racial barriers, intending to encapsulate a golden and distinct sound that would not only please a black audience but would too appeal to whites. Berry Gordys visions for the company paid off. Key artists like Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder attracted a huge following from both blacks and whites.
Seemingly echoing the restrictions of ghetto life in Detroit (which is where Motown began) was the effective, bluesey Money (Thats What I Want) by Barret Strong, Motowns debut release. There is a raw, earthy feel to the classic that has stood the test of time impecably well. There is a strong ...
Advantages: Every tracks a winner! Disadvantages: Not enough recordings included
to the rest of the albums offerings, though Michael Jacksons distinctley young squeaky voice still has undeniable appeal.
The fabulous Temptations are featured on here with one of their most supeb recordings offering again social and political statements on the soulful Ball Of Confusion (Thats What The World Is Today). Lead singer Dennis Edwards rocketing voice is complimented by superb backing vocals from the rest of the group.
Another of Motowns all-time great groups is The Four Tops where Levi Stubbs puts in a beautiful, moving performance on the sensual ballad, It's All In The Game. Stevie Wonder, who is nothing short of a genius, puts in a sensitive and touching performance on Heaven Help Us All, whilst Jimmy Ruffin was another of Motown's artist thats acheivements were highly underated. His performance on the classic It ...
Advantages: Consistency of sound, not mixed, great value Disadvantages: Formulaic after a while, lacks credibility
and Fill are also back rather sneakily with Field of Dreams, which was on one of the previous volumes, although the version included here has been mixed about a bit.
Clubland 3 contains a good selection of music that listeners will previously have heard in the charts, although there don’t seem to be as many huge-selling songs here. The original version of Oliver Cheatham’s Get Down Saturday Night is stuck on the end of disc two, but fans of the single version will probably be disappointed with the weedy version used here. Equally out of place is Move Your Feet by Junior Senior, which was surely included here only for commercial value – a song could not feel less at home than this one does. DJ Sammy is once again notable in his absence – despite having released both Sunlight and Boys of Summer since the last album was ...