Tag: Motown
-
The Jackson 5 ‘Christmas Album’ (1970)
Fronted by a precocious 11-year-old Michael Jackson, whose voice carried a blend of innocence and soul far beyond his years, The Jackson 5 quickly became a pop phenomenon in the early 70’s with hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There” showcasing their boundless talent that made eventually make Michael pop music’s…
Written by
·
-
Gladys Knight & The Pips ‘Imagination’ (1973)
While the Pips are remembered now for their absolute powerhouse of a lead vocalist in Gladys Knight (if you don’t get goosebumps when you hear her belt out “He’s leaving on that midnight train to Georgia” you need to consult with your doctor or priest to confirm you still have a soul), they were known…
Written by
·
-
The Temptations ‘The Temptations Sing Smokey’ (1965)
The Temptations were one of the defining acts of Motown in the mid-60’s, bringing their impeccable harmonies that sounded like smooth silk alongside a soulful big band flair to deliver some of soul music’s most iconic hits over the decade and defining the entire genre in the process. Their 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey…
Written by
·
-
Marvin Gaye ‘What’s Going On’ (1971)
Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On stands today as one of the most important records in the history of recorded music in the United States. This is due to a variety of reasons, the primary one being it’s statements and reflections on American society during the 60’s and 70’s, which was fraught with social upheaval that…
Written by
·
-
Four Tops ‘Four Tops’ (1965)
Last week we talked about the universal appeal of Motown, and we’re back on that glorious kick again here this week with Four Tops self-titled 1965 debut album. The Four Tops were a part of the Motown Sound that took the world by storm in the 60’s alongside other iconic groups like The Temptations, The…
Written by
·
-
The Supremes ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ (1964)
I have a running theory that no matter who you are and what music you’re into, by the time you hit your 30’s you either implicitly enjoy the sounds of Motown or you’re probably a sociopath. To be clear this isn’t even to say you actively seek out listening to Motown– it’s just to say…
Written by
·
-
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles ‘Going to a Go-Go’ (1965)
Going to a Go-Go is The Miracles and Smokey Robinson’s masterpiece, a perfect encapsulation of the Motown sound and the only record from The Miracles that cracked the Top 10 of the Billboard charts. Their history is complicated, but here’s the headline– the band is one of the most influential R&B and soul groups of…
Written by
·
-
Aretha Franklin ‘Young, Gifted and Black’ (1972)
There are only two singers in the GOAT conversation for me— the incomparable Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin. And no matter where or when you get an opportunity to spin one of their records, it’s just simply a goddamn pleasure. 1972’s Young, Gifted and Black is no exception. There’s something simply stunning listening to the…
Written by
·
