Diana Ross & the Supremes
Reflections (Motown/Universal/Elemental)
Limited edition 140 gram virgin vinyl
The 14th studio album from the Supremes, the second as "Diana Ross & the Supremes," saw the inclusion of new member Cindy Birdsong following the firing of Florence Ballard in 1967. Ballard still appears on about half of the tunes (rather awkwardly), so it's not the tidiest handoff. But there you go.
"It was the Supremes' last album with new production from the creative team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, and included production from Deke Richards, Frank Wilson and Smokey Robinson," the press release tells us.
Like pretty much everything that the Supremes offered up, it's wonderful. Birdsong winds up being a wonderful addition to the ranks, even though Ballard would eventually be missed terribly.
The title track is a slice of Supremes perfection, while the versions of Burt Bacharach's "What the World Needs Now is Love" and the 5th Dimension's "Up, Up and Away" are beautiful.
By this point, the Supremes was a well-oiled machine, and not even the lineup change could throw them off.
Smokey Robinson
Pure Smokey (Motown/Universal/Elemental)
140 gram limited edition virgin vinyl
Like Diana Ross and her Supremes, the sound of Smokey Robinson's voice is enough to put a smile on your face regardless of the song he's singing.
1974's Pure Smokey was Robinson's second solo album after leaving the Miracles. He's joined by another former Miracle, Marv Tarplin, who cowrote four songs and plays guitar throughout. Tarpaulin left the Miracles a year after Robinson, apparently unable to continue without his pal.
This album might not feature any of the great man's best known tunes, but it's a wonderful album start to finish. Mature and restrained, it's just velvety smooth.
"Hits from the album include 'I Am I Am' which hit #6 R&B, 'Virgin Man' (#12), and 'It's Her Turn To Live,' a tribute to mothers co-written by Tarplin that was a Top 30 R&B hit," reads the press release.
Robinson would, of course, go on to have bigger chart successes, but this album remains a high point in his enviable career.
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Nitty Gritty (Motown/Universal/Elemental)
140 gram limited edition virgin vinyl
The sixth studio album from Gladys Knight & the Pips is the third and final Motown reissue in this latest drop and, true to form, it's a beauty.
Knight is at her expressive best, belting out tunes like "Got Myself a Good Man" and the title track, full-voiced and hyper energetic.
"Thanks to the influence of producer Norman Whitfield, it placed emphasis on the raw funk and soul sounds of the band, resulting in an unforgettable set," reads the press release, and that explains a lot. Naturally, all of the focus is on Knight but this is a great album for the Pips too. Filthy and funky, this is a wonderful release that sounds glorious on this weighty vinyl.
