Elemental Music’s ongoing LP reissue series, the Motown Sound Collection, presents another trio of majestic titles from the Detroit label’s archives: The Jackson 5’s Third Album (on red vinyl), The Supremes’ A Bit Of Liverpool (in its original mono format) and The Temptations’ Sky’s The Limit on October 18, 2024.
THE JACKSON 5’s Third Album
To be released on special red vinyl, The Third Album captures the Jackson Five at the pinnacle of their supersonic rise to stardom. Initially released in September 1970, it was the Jackson brothers’ third studio effort in less than a year. 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. The Third Album reached #4 on Billboard’s LP chart while topping the R&B Album Chart on Billboard and Cashbox. Among its 11 tracks are Smokey Robinson’s “The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage,” a cover of the Delfonics’ hit “Ready Or Not, Here I Come,” a rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and the semi-autobiographical “Goin’ Back To Indiana,” which was later the title of the Jackson 5’s 1971 ABC TV special. Leah Greenblatt gave the Third Album an A in Entertainment Weekly, while All Music Guide praised the album for reflecting “the unmistakable Motown sound.”
THE SUPREMES’ A Bit Of Liverpool
Released 60 years in October 1964, A Bit Of Liverpool finds the Supremes celebrating the worldwide phenomena of Beatlemania with Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard impressively reinterpreting a handful of Lennon-McCartney originals: “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “You Can’t Do That,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” and “A World Without Love,” which was a hit for Peter & Gordon. The 11-track record also features Merseybeat-related tunes like “Because,” “House of the Rising Sun,” and “Bits and Pieces”. The British Invasion bands were heavily influenced by American soul music so it’s fitting that this salute contains two tunes from the Motown world: the Berry Gordy Jr.-penned “Do You Love Me” (a hit for Brian Poole and the Tremeloes and the Dave Clark Five) and Smokey Robinson’s “You Really Got A Hold On Me” (covered on The Beatles’ Second Album). A top 10 success on Billboard’s R&B Chart, A Bit of Liverpool, which is being reissued in its original mono mix, was the sublime vocal group’s third studio album – and second one in 1964!
THE TEMPTATIONS’ Sky’s The Limit
This 1971 release marks a high point for the Hall of Fame group and a significant turning point. The album features one of their signature songs, “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” the Temptations’ third number-one hit. It also represents the final album featuring founding members Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. 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. 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. Notable tracks include the ambitious anthem “Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)” and the mind-blowing,12+ minute production of “Smiling Face Sometimes,” which the Undisputed Truth subsequently had a hit within a more condensed version.
These unforgettable Hitsville titles are part of a continuing series of long-playing vinyl reissues of crate digger favorites from the Motown Records catalog. All releases will replicate the ‘60s and ‘70s LPs’ bold sound and 12-by-12 full-color packaging. The Motown Sound Collection will continue with titles scheduled for release through early 2025.
Forthcoming titles include the mono versions of Four Tops, Marvin Gaye’s When I’m Alone I Cry, and Eddie Kendricks’ People…Hold On on November 15. December 13’s offerings are Gladys Knight & the Pips’ Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the One to Say Goodbye), The Temptations’ Solid Rock, and the Undisputed Truth’s album.
Founded in 2012, Elemental Music specializes in releasing newly discovered and out-of-print recordings, primarily jazz, blues, and soul. These recordings are meticulously curated and reissued with love.
For more information about Elemental Music’s Motown Sound Collection: https://www.elemental-music.com/72-motown