Singles Plus, The - Four Tops (The)

...of the UK top 40 singles are present and from my point of view at least, some of the big Four Tops songs that didn't quite make our charts but are nonetheless recurrently featured on compilations.

Tracks worth noting (the full tracklist is available in the main information section about this CD.):

1) Baby I Need Your Lovin' - not a hit in the UK, yet quite a popular song over here. This kicks off the album - great Motown ...
...with a bit more detail about the individual tracks, but this is only minor!

Ultimately, the title 'The Singles Plus' is perfect - you have all the singles PLUS some of the major album tracks that have become infamous over the years.

10/10  ... more

Overall, this is a fantastic Four Tops compilation in terms of liner notes, comprehensiveness and more importantly the quality of the recordings. I treated myself to this double album recently and was incredibly impressed with my investment. All the original recordings, which have been fantastically remastered without taking away the warm sound, and ultimately some of my favourite songs of all time.

The Four Tops are probably one of the most remembered of the Motown acts and any fan of Motown will appreciate them, but even to the uninitiated, the Four Tops are probably one of the most accessible soul acts of all time and this album is a good starting point to anyone looking to build up a Motown collection.

The Four Tops' sound is essentially classic Motown soul - four great singers, though the lead singer Levi Stubbs has one of the most impressive baritone voices, really distinctive and quite something. Fans of the 1986 musical film of 'Little shop of horrors' starring Rick Moranis should recognise Levi's vocals, as he was the voice of Audrey II - "FEED ME SEYMOUR!"

Anyway, this compilation is extremely comprehensive, for not only does it contain pretty much all of the Motown hits, it also covers the days when the Four Tops moved labels to ABC records (not a commercial success in the UK) and then on to Casablanca and Arista in the 1980s. Not many compilations do such things as a lot of music buyers are aware! Therefore, this compilation also features the huge UK hits 'When she was my girl' and more importantly probably to most, 'Loco in acapulco' from the 'Buster' soundtrack.

Suffice to say, all of the UK top 40 singles are present and from my point of view at least, some of the big Four Tops songs that didn't quite make our charts but are nonetheless recurrently featured on compilations.

Tracks worth noting (the full tracklist is available in the main information section about this CD.):

1) Baby I Need Your Lovin' - not a hit in the UK, yet quite a popular song over here. This kicks off the album - great Motown soul, perfect vocals and the title should give away exactly which song I am discussing. It is infamous. Simply Red recently borrowed it for the album version of 'Fake.' Quite a chilled, mid-tempo love song, but nonetheless uplifting and great for singing along to in the car.

2) I can't help myself (sugar pie honey bunch). Again, the title should convey which song I am talking about - it is an infamous motown hit which has been covered relentlessly , yet this is the definitive recording, and is the version most often played at mobile discos - a great 60s soul number. Just as catchy as the Foundations' 'Build me up buttercup,' great vocals from Levi and that distinctive Motown sound heard on more famous songs such as 'Where did our love go?' by the Supremes. Great summer track.

3) It's the same old song - the follow-up to the previous track. A perfect Motown hit, not as big as 'I can't help myself' but in my opinion, a far superior track in terms of the lyrics, the production, the vocals and the fact it is not played so much! A perfect tale of heartbreak and Levi's vocals catch this mood perfectly.

4) Reach Out, I'll be there - probably regarded as the biggest Four Tops hit and why not, because it was after all a huge UK number 1 in 1966. A completely different sound to the previous songs but again, Levi's vocals are sublime. This song is frequently used on adverts and featured on compilations - it's a classic. Once the distinctive intro starts, this should prompt you to turn up the volume.

5) I'll turn to stone - if you are looking for a seldom heard Motown classic, this is a good place to start. An absolute classic Four Tops track, not heard very often, very welcome difference in sound because though great, tracks like 'Bernadette' and 'Standing in the shadows of love' are very similar to each other. 'I'll turn to stone' is a mid-tempo number, full of that big Motown production and a dramatic organ. After a few listens, you will probably have picked up the lyrics.

6) Walk Away Renee - another Motown fan favourite. To me, the remastered recording on this album does this song justice - it sounds fantastic. As much as I love that warm, crackly sound on my vinyl, this recording is little short of brilliant. Not a tinny remastered sound, it is strangely still warm and has not lost that slightly warm, distorted sound. The song is an absolute classic tale of heartbreak and the belting chorus made this a huge 60s hit.

7) If I were a carpenter - this is one of the best cover versions of all time. The playful intro makes this song for me - so distinctly 60s, it sounds a bit like the music box at the start of 'Camberwick green' - the infamous tune after the 'here is a box, a musical box, wound up and ready to play.' If you recall that little musical box ditty, then hearing the intro to 'If I were a carpenter' will bring back many memories. The song itself is quite an inventive love song, covered by many artists, but this version is quite distinctive for the Motown sound. I love the lyrics.

8) It's all in the game - "Many a tear has to fall..." Nat King Cole probably recorded the definitive version of this song, but the Four Tops really made it their own and this is my close second favourite. Quite a different Four Tops sound, very chilled out but definitely Four Tops. I recall Betty Boo's 1992 hit 'Let me take you there' sampling this. Ah the memories. A really overlooked classic.

Disc 2 - not as strong as disc 1, but there are notable moments, such as the Four Tops' take on the classic 'Macarthur Park' - think Richard Harris and Donna Summer, or that Pearl & Dean advert you see in the cinema! The Four Tops do this justice.

The tracks I think are especially worth noting are 'When she was my girl' - a huge hit from 1981, a classic love song from the Tops, nice early 1980s production and really painful cry from Levi on the vocals 'She's gone!' Instantly memorable tune.

'Loco in acapulco.' An absolute late 80s surprise hit - from the soundtrack to 'Buster', this was actually co-written by Phil Collins and Lamont Dozier (who had of course co-written and produced many of the Four Tops' Motown hits from the 60s.) Loco in acapulco was an 80s tribute to the 60s sound, an absolute party classic, perfect strings and horns and naturally catchy with a sunshine vibe throughout.

The liner-notes:
Colourful, full of pictures, including images of some of the original front covers to the songs. There is a 2 page, succinct overview of the Tops career and information about the members and explains the move to different labels. There is also a neat table featuring the chart positions of the songs in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Sweden. Could have done with a bit more detail about the individual tracks, but this is only minor!

Ultimately, the title 'The Singles Plus' is perfect - you have all the singles PLUS some of the major album tracks that have become infamous over the years.

10/10 

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