Boss: Bossa Nova (1962)

George Bohanon Quartet- Boss:Bossa Nova (W-207)

Among the busiest studio and session musicians active, having appeared on numerous jazz and pop recordings. A smooth, fluid sound and the versatility to play in any setting have led George Bohannon to concentrate on working with others, but he's made a couple of albums as a leader also. His most recent was done in 1990 for the Grebob label. Bohannon's best was a 1962 release for the Workshop Jazz with pianist Kirk Lightsey and bassist Cecil McBee.

01 Bobbie (Cecil McBee)
02 Speak Low (Ogden Nash/Kurt Weill)
03 El Rig (Kirkland Lightsey)
04 Conmigo (George Bohannon)
05 Simpatica (George Bohannon)
06 El Rio (George Bohannon)
07 Moiki (George Bohannon)

Musicians
Geoge Bohanon Trumpet
Cecil McBee Bass
Kirk Lightsey Piano
George Goldsmith Drums
Joe Messina Guitar
Hank Cosby Cymbal

Producer: William Stevenson
Studio: Hitsville, Detroit, MI

George Bohanon Quartet - Boss: Bossa Nova (Workshop Jazz w-207 1962)

The Johnny Griffith Trio - Jazz! (ws-205)

The Johnny Griffith Trio - Jazz!

Pianist Johnny Griffith can be heard on classic Motown sides, as well as on recordings from other Detroit-area labels. Like Motown's other pianists, Joe Hunter and Earl Van Dyke, Griffith's had an extensive musical background. He held musical degrees from Wayne State University and the University of Detroit. His musical influences included Oscar Peterson, Glenn Gould, and Bud Powell. Signed to Motown's Jazz Workshop label, he recorded the albums Detroit Jazz and The Right Side of Lefty Edwards. When the march of the Motown hits began, Griffith started playing on sessions for their R&B/pop acts. But rather than sign a work-for-hire contract with Motown like other musicians, Griffith remained a freelancer, doing other dates and sessions in New York and nearby Chicago.

01 I'll wind (you're blowing me no good)
02 Unknown minor
03 I mi see you later
04 Old folks
05 I did
06 Moment's notice
07 They didn't believe me
08 Willow weep for me
09 Summertime

The Johnny Griffith Trio - Jazz! (Workshop Jazz ws-205)

The Motown hits that Johnny Griffith played on include: Marvin Gaye's 'How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" (number four R&B, number six pop, early 1965), his celeste trills are heard on "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" (number one R&B for two weeks, number four pop, summer 1971), adding Wurlitzer electric piano on both Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (number one R&B/pop for seven weeks, late 1968) and the Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (number one R&B for eight weeks, summer 1966), organ on the Supremes' "Stop in the Name of Love" (number two R&B for four weeks, number one pop for two weeks, early 1965), and organ and shotgun effects on Junior Walker and the All Stars' "Shotgunn' (number one R&B for four weeks, number four pop, early 1965).

Motown's Brightest Stars

VA - Never Before Released Masters

A 1986 compilation with, at that time, never before released masters from Motown's Brightest Stars. Digitally compiled by John Matousek at Motown/Hitsville U.S.A. Recording Studios, Hollywood California.

01 Mary Wells - The Day Will Come
02 The Supremes - The Tears
03 The Temptations - Mind Over Matter
04 The Marvelettes - Knock On My Door
05 Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - I'm Stuck On You
06 Jr Walker & The All Stars - Break It Up
07 Stevie Wonder - Don't You Feel It
08 Martha & The Vandellas - Can't Change The Habit
09 The Four Tops - I Can't Escape Your Memory
10 Stevie Wonder - Lois
11 Diana Ross & The Supremes - Stay In My Lonely Arms
12 The Temptations - Tearstained Letter

VA - Never Before Released Masters From Motown's Brightest Stars (the 1960's)

The Other Side Of Mary Wells (hits & rarities)

Mary Wells - The Other Side Of (Marginal MAR 004 )

01 Why Don't You Let Yourself Go
02 Everlovin' Boy
03 He's A Lover
04 Stop Takin' Me For Granted
05 Use Your Head
06 We're Just Two Of A Kind
07 My Mind's Made Up
08 Never, Never Leave Me
09 Ain't It The Truth
10 He's Good Enough For Me
11 How Can I Forget Him
12 I'm Learning
13 He Loves You (She's Loves You)
14 Please Please Me
15 I Should Have Known Better
16 Yesterday
17 I Saw Him Standing There (I Saw Her Standing There)
18 All My Loving
19 Love Makes The World Go Round
20 My World Is Empty Without You Babe
21 Dear Lover
22 The Boy From Ipanema (The Girl From Ipanema)
23 Old Love (Let's Try It Again)
24 I'll Be Available
25 Fancy Free
26 Me And My Baby
27 Me Without You
28 I'm Sorry
29 The Doctor
30 When Your Lover Comes Back

Mary Wells - The Other Side Of (Marginal 004)

You're Gonna Love Barbara Mcnair

Barbara McNair - You're GonnaLove (Marginal 058)

01 He's A King
02 You're Gonna Love My Bbay
03 Here I Am Baby
04 Everything Is Good About You
05 Steal Away Tonight
06 My World Is Empty Without You
07 Message To Michael
08 For Once In My Life
09 The Shadow Of Your Smile
10 I Will Wait For You
11 The Sweetheart Tree
12 What A Day
13 Fancy Passes
14 I Hear A Symphony
15 When I'm Gone
16 It Happens Everytime
17 Just One Teardrop (From A Broken Heart
18 If You Can Want
19 Where Would I Be Without You
20 You Could Never Love Him Like I Love Him
21 Who Invented Heartache
22 The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
23 Forget You Ever Met My Baby
24 The Touch Of Time
25 Flipped Over You
26 Murray What's Your Hurry
27 Whatever Lola Wants

Barbara McNair - You're Gonna Love (Marginal 058)

Edwin Starr - Clean (1978)

Edwin Starr - Clean (1978)

A solid entry from Edwin Starr's late 70s comeback into the clubs. A set that's miles from his harder soul for Motown, but which still has some pretty great vocals overall. Edwin's working here with Lamont Dozier, who helps bring his Detroit groove into smoother California territory and while the approach isn't as full-on as on Dozier's own records of the time, it's still pretty darn great overall, filled with just the right mellow soul touches to balance out some of the more uptempo grooves, and recorded in a way that never dampens the spirits of Starr's vocals. Titles include Jealous, Contact, I'm So Into You,'Storm Clouds On The Way, Don't Waste Your Time, and Working Song.

1 I'm So Into You
2 Jealous
3 Contact
4 Storm Clouds On The Way
5 Don't Waste Your Time
6 Music Brings Out The Beast In Me
7 Working Song

Edwin Starr - Clean (1978)

The Originals . . . Portrait (1970)

The Originals - Portrait Of The Originals (1970)

The group found modest success in the first half of the decade, often working as backup singers for recordings by artists such as Jimmy Ruffin ('What Becomes of the Brokenhearted', 1966) and David Ruffin ('My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)', 1969). The Originals found their biggest success under the guidance of Motown legend Marvin Gaye, who co-wrote and produced two of the group's biggest singles, Baby I'm For Real, and The Bells. Both songs became seminal soul music recordings, and both songs have since been covered. While the group went on to have more modest success in both the soul and disco fields near the end of the decade, including Down To Love Town, a #1 dance chart hit, the songs they made with Marvin Gaye are their most memorable notable.
After the death of Ty Hunter, on February 24, 1981, the group ceased all recordings and broke up about year later. Originals member Joe Stubbs passed away on February 5, 1998. C.P. Spencer followed on October 20, 2004 and then Freddie Gorman on June 13, 2006.

01 the bells
02 i like your style
03 there's a place we'd like to know
04 you may not like the change
05 don't stop now
06 since i fell for you
07 aquarius
08 you want hearts and flowers
09 just another morning
10 wichita lineman
11 i'll wait for you
12 my way

The Originals - Portrait Of The Originals (1970)

Changing Times

The Four Tops - In These Changing Times

The Four Tops entered the '70s still among the dominant vocal ensembles. This release included a superb performance by Levi Stubbs and company on the title track, and many other equally well-sung numbers. Motown wasn't dominating the pop world anymore, but The Four Tops were one of the groups that were still doing a solid job with in the early '70s.

1 In These Changing Times
2 Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)
3 Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
4 Right Before My Eyes
5 I Almost Had Her (But She Got Away)
6 Try to Remember
7 Something's Tearing at the Edges of Time
8 Sing a Song of Yesterday
9 Medley: The Long and Winding Road/In These Changing Times

The Four Tops - In These Changing Times(1970)

Others Sing Motown

VA - Others Sing Motown

This time the other way around . . . Motown songs sung by well known and lesser known artists.

01 The Action - I'll Keep Holding On (The Marvelettes)
02 Ramsey Lewis - Ain't That Peculiar (Marvin Gaye)
03 Paradise Express - Nowhere To Run (Martha & The Vandellas)
04 Dusty Springfield - Can I Get A Witness (Marvin Gaye)
05 Ken Boothe - You Keep Me Hanging On (The Supremes)
06 Chris farlowe - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted (Jimmy Ruffin)
07 Double Exposure - Baby I Need Your Loving (The Four Tops)
08 The Trends - You're A Wonderful One (Marvin Gaye).
09 Fontella Bass - Come And Get These Memories (Martha & The Vandellas)
10 Helen Shapiro - My Guy (Mary Wells)
11 Ramsey Lewis - Dancing In The Street (Martha & The Vandellas)
12 Blood Sweat & Tears - You've Made Me So Very Happy (Brenda Holloway)
13 Johnny Williams - Just A Little Misunderstanding (The Contours)
14 Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers - Roadrunner (Jr Walker)
15 Len Barry - The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game (The Marvelettes)
16 The Continental 4 - Heaven Must Have Sent You (The Elgins)
17 Barry White - Standing in the Shadows of Love (The Four Tops)
18 Donnie Elbert - Stop In The Name Of Love (The Supremes)
19 Nella Dodds - Come See About Me (The Supremes)
20 The Tremeloes - Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever (The Four Tops)
21 Retta Young - You Beat Me To The Punch (Mary Wells)
22 The Delfonics - Ain't That Peculiar (Marvin Gaye)
23 Mighty Diamonds - Tears Of A Clown (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
24 Georgie Fame - My Girl (The Temptations)
25 Ramsey Lewis - Uptight (Stevie Wonder)
26 Donnie Elbert - Where Did Our Love Go (The Supremes)
27 Otis Redding & Carla Thomas - It Takes Two (Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston)
28 The Van Dykes - Save My Love For A Rainy Day (TheTemptations)
29 Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers - Stop Her On Sight (Edwin Starr)
31 Georgie Fame - Pride & Joy (Marvin Gaye)
32 Billie Davis - Just Walk In My Shoes (Gladys Knight & The Pips)
33 Bobby Rio - Ask the Lonely (The Four Tops)

VA - Others Sing Motown

Best Salsoul Remixes

VA - Salsoul Best Remixes

Exclusive collection of ten Salsoul classics, by original artists like Loleatta Holloway, Skyy & First Choice, remixed by Thunderpuss, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Danny Tenaglia, M.A.W., Joe Claussell, & more.

01 Loleatta Holloway - Dreamin (Shellshock Reconstruction Mix)
02 Instant Funk - I Got My Mind Made Up (Thunderpuss Club Mix)
03 Candido - Jingo (Mount Rushmore Si Empre Mix)
04 First Choice - Doctor Love (Kerri's Lost Mix)
05 Skyy - Call Me (Blaze DJ Vocal Mix)
06 First Choice - Love Thang (David Morales Remix)
07 Double Exposure - My Love Is Free (Frankie Knuckles Remix)
08 First Choice - Double Cross (Danny Tenaglia Remix)
09 Double Exposure - Ten Percent (Ken Lou Masters At Work Mix)
10 Double Exposure - Everman (Joe Claussell's Classic Mix)

VA - Salsoul Best Remixes

Northern Soul

VA - On The Real Side

What is exactly Northern Soul and why did it become a cult scene, constantly evolving since the early steps into the Motown Sound through Philly Sound towards the upbeat tempo of Mod inspiration? The best way to catch a glimpse of this everlasting club scene and its legendary DJ Ian Levine at the landmark Blackpool Mecca, is to listen carefully to this On the Real Side: The Modern End of Northern Soul. Featuring some of the best Northern Soul tracks ever written including the Carstairs' amazing 'It Really Hurts Me, Girl.' This 22 chapter saga tells the tale of one of the most beloved soul scenes among young original mod dancers and their current followers.

01 Odds And Ends - Yesterday My Love
02 The Continental 4 - What You Gave Up
03 Lezli Valentine - I Won't Do Anything
04 Debbie Taylor - No Deposit, No Return
05 Soul Generation - Key To Your Heart
06 The Heartstoppers - Marching Out Of Your Life
07 The Carstairs - It Really Hurts Me Girl
08 Cookie Woodson - I'll Be True
09 Eloise Laws - Love Factory
10 Jimmy Helms - Romeo And Juliet
11 Larry Saunders - On The Real Side
12 Barbara Jean English - I'm Living A Lie
13 Chocolate Syrup - You've Got A Lot To Give
14 The Moments - I Dig Your Act
15 Linda Jones And The Whatnauts - So Glad I Found You
16 Rosey Jones - Have Love Will Travel
17 Timothy Wilson - Wedding Ring
18 Jeanne Napoli - Forget That Girl
19 Retta Young - My Man Is On His Way
20 Crown Heights Affair - Every Beat Of My Heart (New Disco Version)
21 Shelly Black - No Turning Back
22 Silent Majority - Something New About You

VA - On The real Side (The Modern End Of Northern Soul)

Sounds Like The Flirtations

The Flirtations - Sounds Like The Flirtations

01 Nothing But A Heartache
02 This Must Be The End Of The Line
03 I Wanna Be There
04 Stay
05 How Can You Tell Me?
06 Someone Out There
07 Need Your Loving
08 South Carolina
09 Once I Had A Love
10 Momma I'm Comin' Home
11 Love Is A Sad Song
12 What's Good About Goodbye My Love

bonus

13 Christmas Time Is Here Again
14 Keep On Searching
15 Everybody Needs Somebody (To Love In The End)
16 Can't Stop Loving You
17 Give Me Love

Sounds Like The Flirtations

Where You Gonna Go

Where You Gonna Go (Motor City Garage Bands 1965-1969)

Long recognized as two of the best garage bands from Michigan, The Unrelated Segments whose The Story Of My Life has appeared on Rhino’s Nuggets box set and The Tidal Waves who scored a number one hit with Farmer John are the main focus of Where You Gonna Go?/Motor City Garage Bands 1965-1969. All of The Unrelated Segments and The Tidal Waves material are included. The other Detroit area bands, while nearly forgotten today, released a terrific batch of recordings, the best of which are represented here.

01 The Boys - How Do You Do With Me? (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
02 The Quintette Plus - Grits And Grease (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
03 The Unknown - Night Walkin' (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
04 The Tidal Waves - Farmer John (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
05 The Tidal Waves - She Left Me All Alone (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
06 The Tidal Waves - I Don't Need Love (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
07 The Tidal Waves - Big Boy Pete (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
08 The Tidal Waves - Action! (Speaks Louder Than Words) (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
09 The Tidal Waves - She's My Woman (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.) *
10 The District Six - 7 And 7 Is (MI, U.S.A.)
11 The District Six - East Side Story (MI, U.S.A.)
12 The Couriers - I Couldn't Care Less (MI, U.S.A.)
13 The Couriers - Just Tell Me (MI, U.S.A.)
14 The District Six - Remember (MI, U.S.A.)
15 The Lykes Of Us - 7:30 Said (Trenton, MI, U.S.A.)
16 The Lykes Of Us - Tell Me Why Your Light Shines (Trenton, MI, U.S.A.)
17 The Unrelated Segments - Story Of My Life (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
18 The Unrelated Segments - It's Unfair (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
19 The Unrelated Segments - Where You Gonna Go? (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
20 The Unrelated Segments - It's Gonna Rain (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
21 The Unrelated Segments - Cry Cry Cry (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.)
22 The Unrelated Segments - Hey Love (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.) *
23 The Unrelated Segments - There's Gonna Be A Change (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.) *
24 The Unrelated Segments - Story Of My Life (Detroit, MI, U.S.A.) *
25 The Lykes Of Us - I'll Sing You A Love Song (Trenton, MI, U.S.A.) *
26 The Lykes Of Us - 7:30 Said (Trenton, MI, U.S.A.) *

VA - Where You Gonna Go (Motor City Garage Bands)

San Remo Golden Strings - Anthology

The San Remo Golden Strings - Anthology

The San Remo Golden Strings occupy a unique place in the history of Detroit soul. A revolving group of local session musicians (among them members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra) assembled by the fledgling Ric-Tic label to create easy listening-style instrumental renditions of contemporary pop hits, what should have been bland, cookie-cutter records instead tapped into the universal Motown groove -- there is a genuine soulfulness and swagger to their recordings that is completely unexpected, and entirely welcome. Not only was 1965's Hungry for Love a Top 30 pop hit, but for a while, the San Remo Golden Strings even included moonlighting members of Motown's own legendary house band the Funk Brothers -- in fact, this incarnation of the ensemble backed singer Edwin Starr on his classic 'Agent Double O Soul,' and when Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. discovered the ruse, he fined each guilty Funk Brother $1,000.00 for the transgression. Not surprisingly, given the music's Motown-wannabe roots, there's a pronounced Northern Soul vibe hanging over the proceedings, and some of these renditions are even more eminently danceable than the originals.

01 Hungry For Love
02 Downtown
03 Festival Time
04 A Child's Prayer
05 Lonely One.
06 Blueberry Hill
07 I'm Satisfied
08 People
09 Old Man River
10 Joy Road
11 Everybody Loves A Lover
12 Some Things You Never Get Used Too
13 I Second That Emotion.
14 I'm Leaving This Old Town.
15 Reach Out I'll Be There
16 Day By Day Or Never
17 It's Not Unusual
18 I Was Made To Love Her
19 Born Free
20 Up,up And Away
21 To Sir With Love
22 Alfie
23 My Girl
24 Home Coming
25 Quanto Sei Bella (You Are So Beautifull)
26 All Turned Up
27 Still Hungry

bonus Get Ready

The San Remo Golden Strings - Anthology

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
(MFP Sound Superb 1974)

01 Dancing In The Street
02 Dancing Slow
03 Nobody I'll Care
04 There He Is (at my door)
05 Mickey's Monkey
06 Hitch Hike
07 One Way Out
08 Motoring
09 Happiness Is Guaranteed
10 No More Tearstained Make Up
11 What Am I Going To Do Without Your Love
12 Tell Me I'll Never Be Alone

Dancing In The Street (mfp 1974 UK release)