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| All of Motown's No. 1 Hits in One Box Set for the First Time On the eve of Motown Records' 50th anniversary comes a spectacular collection: a 10-CD box set containing every Motown No. 1 hit, from every U.S. and International chart and from every genre, adding up to a staggering 191 tracks that hit the top, plus 10 bonus tracks whose cover versions were No. 1. In an amazing coincidence, the number of Motown artists whose recordings have either hit No. 1 or inspired a No. 1 cover: 50. MOTOWN: THE COMPLETE NO. 1'S (Motown/UMe), is released around the world December 8, 2008 and in the U.S., December 9, 2008. "This is why Motown is what it is, " writes Motown legend Smokey Robinson in his introductory liner notes. "Look at this list: Number 1's back to back to back to back. We bombarded the world with hit records." Motown's No. 1 hits started flowing from Berry Gordy's neighborhood home on Detroit's West Grand Boulevard, and this box set - with tracks from 16 countries including the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Canada, Ireland, Norway, France, Germany and elsewhere - are housed in a jaw-dropping package: a replica of the original Motown headquarters, "Hitsville U.S.A., " where it all began. Inside the "house" are five digipaks, each containing two CDs, as well as a mini-photo book including rare and classic images, track annotations and the essay by Motown's first No. 1 hitmaker, Smokey Robinson. The original Gordy "Hitsville U.S.A." house remains at its original location and is the home of the internationally renowned Motown Museum, 2648 West Brand Boulevard, Detroit, MI. Arranged chronologically, MOTOWN: THE COMPLETE NO. 1'S spans generations of musical memories, beginning with 1961's R&B No. 1 "Shop Around" from The Miracles, and the label's first Pop No. 1, "Please Mr. Postman" from The Marvelettes. From The Supremes' unprecedented string of five consecutive No. 1's, starting with "Where Did Our Love Go, " to The Temptations' immortal classic "My Girl, " and its Nineties counterpart "Stay, " MOTOWN: THE COMPLETE NO. 1'S provides the soundtrack to the Sixties, Seventies and beyond, concluding with 2000's "Bag Lady" from Erykah Badu. Heard too with their No. 1 recordings are Motown stars Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Four Tops, Martha & the Vandellas, Mary Wells, the Contours, Jr. Walker & the All-Stars, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Jackson 5, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, David Ruffin, The Originals, Rare Earth, The Undisputed Truth, Edwin Starr, Eddie Kendricks, the Commodores, T.G. Sheppard (yes, Motown had two No. 1 Country hits), Thelma Houston, Rick James, High Inergy, Jermaine Jackson, Dazz Band, Charlene, Lionel Richie, DeBarge, El DeBarge, Rockwell, Mary Jane Girls, Val Young, Georgio, The Boys, Today, Johnny Gill, Stacey Lattisaw, Boyz II Men, Shanice, and Profyle. In addition, the collection features five artists - the Isley Brothers, Brenda Holloway, Jimmy Ruffin, Dennis Edwards, and the Guinn Family - with their Motown recordings that inspired No. 1 cover versions for other labels. An irresistible force of social and cultural change, Berry Gordy's legendary Motown Records made its mark not just on the music industry, but society at large, with a sound that became one of the most significant musical accomplishments and stunning success stories of the 20th century. No other record company in history has exerted such an enormous influence on both the style and substance of popular music and culture. Motown, of course, stands for more than just the historic music. The label and its remarkable legacy is a reflection of the hard work of dedicated individuals overcoming incredible obstacles to achieve great success. Nearly a half-century ago, on January 12, 1959, to be exact, a young African-American songwriter named Berry Gordy founded Tamla Records with a loan of $800 from his family, marking the birth of the "Motown Records Corporation." A man of vision, drive, talent and determination, Berry Gordy was also a producer, innovative entrepreneur, and teacher. The phenomenal success of Motown Records is a tribute to all that he embodies and all the talent that he brought out in others. Under his leadership, and through determination and support of the Motown family of artists, Gordy forged new grounds for minorities and made the "Motown Sound" a worldwide phenomenon beloved by millions. Today, Motown is part of the Universal Music Group, with its classic recorded music catalog managed by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). With Motown's influence still being felt, the greatest pop music hit factory ever heard celebrates its 50th anniversary with MOTOWN: THE COMPLETE NO. 1'S. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |