The Supremes
A Bit of Liverpool (Motown/Universal/Elemental)
Coming at this from the point of view of an English writer, albeit one who is a huge fan of the Supremes, this album is a bit of an oddity in music's rich history. According to the sleeve notes, Motown head honcho Berry Gordy wanted to create a friendly musical rivalry between the cities of Detroit and Liverpool. Both, after all, have a lot in common when it comes to industry, and later struggles.
However, not all of the bands covered are from Liverpool (the Animals, the Dave Clark 5). Some of them (the Miracles, the Contours) aren't English at all, but rather are Motown acts. So the link is tenuous as best. The sleeve art, featuring the ladies wearing bowler hats and holding umbrellas, is a nudge-nudge-wink-wink at a silly stereotype. Imagine if Gerry & the Pacemakers had released an album called "A Bit of Los Angeles," and on the cover they were dressed like cowboys.
That said, all of the music is superb. The Beatles tunes ("A Hard Day's Night," "Can't Buy Me Love," "I Want to Hold Your Hand")--an actual Liverpool band--benefit from the Supremes' sweet harmonies. The Animals' "House of the Rising Sun" takes on new life here. The Supremes really can do no wrong.
The Temptations
Sky's the Limit (Motown/Universal/Elemental)
Released in 1971, Sky's the Limit is the Temptations' 14th studio album and it's also the final album featuring founding members Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. It would all change from here.
"While Kendricks handled lead vocals on most of the songs, the other Temptations (Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams, and Paul Williams) all have their time to shine," reads the press release. "Sky’s The Limit, the band’s 14th studio effort, also showcases the marvelous talents of producer/songwriter Norman Whitfield, who expertly crafted a sound that incorporated psychedelic soul and sweet R&B balladry."
The album features one of the group's best songs, "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)." And, while the Temptations' classic balladry is present and correct throughout, it's clear that they're flying into the '70s full-force here. The outfits worn on the front sleeve, as they float in the clouds, are incredible and worth the price alone.
Jackson 5
Third Album (Motown/Universal/Elemental)
Red vinyl LP
Not only is this, as the title suggests, the Jackson 5's third album, but it was their third album in less than a year.
Songs like "I'll Be There" are some of their best, while covers of the Delfonics' "Ready Or Not, Here I Come" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" are great too.
"The album delivered the group’s fourth straight number #1 single with 'I’ll Be There' while the record’s other single, 'Mama’s Pearl' also cracked Billboard’s Top 5," reads the press release. "The Third Album reached #4 on Billboard’s LP chart while topping the R&B Album Chart on Billboard and Cashbox."
The Sleeve art pops here, and the red vinyl is gorgeous.
