Thursday, February 18, 2016

200 FAVE ALBUMS. Today: #91. Continues next week.
THE CAFFE` LATTE`
200
MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS
Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.
#91
REFLECTIONS: 
DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES
 Supremes-1968-reflections.jpg
 [1968] 
For Motown's premier act, 'Reflections' was a watershed album. The record (and its title track in particular) launched the act's new name, with lead singer Diana Ross receiving special billing. That change would have increased the frustration no doubt felt by the other 2 members Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. This was to be the final Supremes album to include the latter. The writing and production team of brothers Brian and Eddie Holland with Lamont Dozier departed Motown around the time of its release. after creating a lengthy string of hits for the girl group. 'Reflections' took the trio into new territory. The production of the title song was radical for its time and steered the group away from its sweet and polished fare. The sound effects raised the bar for the Detroit label. Top billing seems to give Ross a new confidence in her vocals, as she guides the trio through covers of Bobbie Gentry's "Ode To Billy Joe", Jimmy Webb's "Up, Up And Away" and The Miracles' pop classic "Then". The Holland / Dozier/ Holland hit-writing machine produced some new classics: "Reflections", "Forever Came Today" and "In And Out Of Love". All 3 charted. In so many ways, everything changed for The Supremes (and Motown) after the aptly-titled 'Reflections'.
Highlight tracks: Reflections; Then; Forever Came Today & In and Out of Love.

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