Hit and Run! More Motown Guys

In a history so rich, there’s always more to know. Nothing illustrates the point better than this compilation of rare and previously unissued Motown recordings. It summons the work of artists, familiar and unfamiliar, committed to tape at the company’s headquarters at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit between 1961 and 1968 – arguably Motown’s golden era.

Among the familiar names here are Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marv Johnson, the Temptations and Four Tops – mainstays whose unique talent, when coupled with that of the company’s in-house songwriters, musicians and producers, empowered Motown during the 20th Century, and continues to ensure its legacy in the 21st. Among the unfamiliar? Michael Thomas, for one; Johnny Earl, for another. And the truth is that some of the others here – the Hit Pack, the Serenaders, Gino Parks – are barely known outside the circle of Motown aficionados.

Of this collection’s 25 tracks, 15 have never been available before, but the music is surely as engaging and illuminating as anything already out in the world. Sadly, nobody can be quite certain who within Motown was advocating for these lesser-known artists, or why the music failed to capture sufficient votes in the company’s storied Quality Control meetings every Friday – or at least the pre-meeting approval of the QC queen, Janie Bradford.

There is, however, an advocate who can be cited here: the late Keith Hughes, who died during the making of this compilation. Keith was unswerving in his devotion to Motown, and to its many backstories. Since 2010, Keith compiled and annotated more than 20 such albums for Ace Records and its offspring, Kent, working with colleagues Mick Patrick, Tony Rounce and, at Universal Music’s Motown catalogue division, Harry Weinger.

Even Keith could not have imagined that his first Ace project – by his Motor City heroes, the Satintones – would lead to so many years of satisfying excavations. He had form, firstly writing about Motown for various publications, then creating a unique database of its recording sessions in print and, subsequently, online with Don’t Forget The Motor City. Later, Keith was recruited to work on Universal Music’s award-winning “The Complete Motown Singles” CD series – the defining chronicle of the heyday of Berry Gordy’s music machine. With his singular passion, Keith Hughes never stopped searching. In a history so rich, there’s always more to know.

1. WITHOUT YOU BABE - Skip Cunningha

2. BABY HIT AND RUN (Version 1) - The Contours

3. THE ROSE OF MY LIFE - Michael Thomas

4. LUCKY LUCKY ME - Ivy Jo Hunter

5. STOP AND THINK ABOUT LOVE - Johnny Earl

6. SHOW ME THE WAY - J.J. Barnes

7. SINCE I DON'T HAVE YOU - The Temptations

8. MUST BE QUITE A SHOW - Marvin Gaye

9. SAD SOUVENIRS - Marv Johnson

10. DREAM GIRL - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

11. I FEEL LIKE I'M FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN - Jimmy Ruffin

12. JUST YOUR LOVE - Four Tops

13. GOODBYE EILENE - Shorty Long

14. STEPPING CLOSER TO YOUR HEART - The Monitors

15. TO SEE THE SUN AGAIN - Ivy Jo Hunter

16. I HAD A VISION - Freddie Gorman

17. ALL I GOT - Gino Parks

18. HUSH - Sammy Ward

19. WHO DO YOU LOVE - Bruce Channel

20. IT'S LOVE BABY (24 HOURS OF THE DAY) - Joe Stubbs

21. WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED - Lamont Dozier

22. SLICK CHICK - The Serenaders

23. SING A LITTLE SONG ABOUT YOU - Marv Johnson

24. HAMTRAMCK MAMA - Mike Valvano & R Dean Taylor

25. WE CALL IT FUN - The Hit Pack