Caffe` Latte`
presents…
100 UNDERRATED
TRACKS FROM THE
MOTOWN
ARCHIVES
ARCHIVES
YOU
GOTTA HEAR!
Each
week, ten obscure or rare Motown recordings will be highlighted. You can hear
the added songs on spotify. The playlist will be updated weekly.
spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte
60
RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH
The Supremes & Four Tops
In 1970, The Supremes collaborated with the Four Tops for the album 'The Magnificent 7', from which "River Deep- Mountain High" was lifted. Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson produced this remake. It reached #14 in America and 11 in Britain.
59
MASTERPIECE
The Temptations
":Masterpiece" was the title track on The Temptations' 1973 album. Norman Whitfield wrote and produced the track. The album version runs for almost 14 minutes. The edited version on the single reached #7 Pop and #1 R&B in America.
":Masterpiece" was the title track on The Temptations' 1973 album. Norman Whitfield wrote and produced the track. The album version runs for almost 14 minutes. The edited version on the single reached #7 Pop and #1 R&B in America.
58
WHEN I'M GONE
Brenda Holloway
Smokey Robinson composed and produced Brenda Holloway's cover of a song first recorded by Mary Wells. The former's remake became the chart hit, reaching #25 Pop and 12 R&B in 1965.
57
iF WE HOLD ON TOGETHER
Diana Ross
The ballad "If We Hold On Together" was performed by Diana Ross and used in the 1988 film 'The Land Before Time'. Written by James Horner and Will Jennings, the track was a single that peaked at #11 in Britain and topped the Japanese chart for 12 weeks.
56
A SIMPLE GAME
Four Tops
The Four Tops scored a hit from an unlikely source: British prog-rock group Moody Blues in 1971. The Motown remake of "A Simple Game" fared poorly in the USA, but peaked at #3 in the UK.
55
TWO LOVERS
Mary Wells
Smokey Robinson was again at the helm for Mary Wells, creating and producing the hit "Two Lovers". Its lyrics appear to be referring to two very different men, until Wells reveals at the end that both men are the same guy. The 1962 single peaked at #1 R&B and 7 Pop. Robinson would pen an even bigger hit for Wells in 1964.
54
SUSPICION
The Originals
The Originals recorded "Suspicion" in 1966. Holland / Dozier/ Holland wrote the catchy song but it was sadly never released as a single. It is now a Northern Soul classic.
53
BLESS YOU
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
By 1971, the girl group Martha & The Vandellas was nearing its last days. The billing had changed with the group now being referred to as Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, reflecting what Motown had previously done with The Miracles and The Supremes. "Bless You" was issued in 1971. It was written and produced by The Corporation which included Berry Gordy Jr. It made a dent on the charts and appeared on 1972's 'Black Magic', the final studio album from the group.
52
POSITIVITY
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder proved his relevance as a lyricist in the new millennium with the upbeat track "Positivity" from his 2005 album 'A Time To Love'. The track also features vocals by his daughter Aisha Morris (the baby heard crying during "Isn't She Lovely"). Wonder also produced the cut.
51
MY WHOLE WORLD ENDED (THE MOMENT YOU LEFT ME)
Upon exiting The Temptations, David Ruffin launched his solo career with the single "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)". Issued in 1969, the Motown disc reached #9 Pop and 2 R&B in America. Originally planned for him to record with The Temptations, Ruffin recorded it instead as a soloist. The Originals provided background vocals.
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