Various Artists - Soul Satisfaction 4: Mouth Watering Motown & B-Side Blues (Motown/Universal 066637-2)
More Motown magic moments, carefully selected by Jo Wallace. "Lillis" Hansson reports.
This is part four in the Soul Satisfaction series from Motown, compiled by Jo Wallace.
This compilation is built up in the same manner as many other similar compilations, that is, in chronological order. It starts in 1960 and ends in 1975. Personally I'm not sure why compilations are put together in this manner, it would be nice if someone tried to do things differently for a chance. Enough about that, over to the music.
As mentioned, the first tune is recorded as early as 1960, and that implies that I shouldn't really like the track, however, Sherri Taylor and Singing Sammy Ward's "Oh Lover" is a prime example of brilliant early soul. I have to admit that since I am more into late 60's and early 70's soul I wasn't prepared for how good the first four tunes really are. Nice to be proven wrong! LaBrenda Ben, The Satintones and Mable John are all indications that I perhaps should be checking out some older stuff.
When the fifth track – Marvelettes "You're my remedy" - starts pouring out of the speakers we have arrived at what is considered by most to be "The Motown sound".
Soul Satisfaction volume 4 consists mainly of b-sides and album tracks, all from the many Motown labels. For some reason that I really can't grasp we are also treated to "I have faith in you baby" by Edwin Starr, the flipside of his "S.O.S." 45. This record was released on the Ric-Tic label, which was bought up by Berry Gordy, but has it ever been regarded as a Motown label? As this Edwin Starr tune is absolutely brilliant maybe this is not the time to split hairs.
Listening to this cd has been a real pleasure. Apart from me discovering some good early soul, the standout tracks are Martha Reeves & The Vandellas "Show Me the Way", The Monitors "Time is Passing By" and Chuck Jackson, all representing the mighty fine Motown sound of the sixties.
A further reason for buying this record is the track "Gonna Find a True Love" by Bottom & Co, a tune that has been in demand on the crossover scene for quite a while now. The original 45 would set you back £100, so this mid-price cd is maybe easier to afford. The only thing that's bothering me at the moment is the question of which version of "Gonna find true love" that is the ultimate one, is it Bottom & Co or Patterson Twins? Answers on a postcard please.
[Published 11 January 2004]
Other articles on Uppers you might enjoy
Various Artists - Soul satisfaction 3: Motown delights; soft centered soul (Motown/Universal 0172772)
The kind of Motown compilation we can sink our teeth into! Jesper Kern offers the taste test results.
Various Artists - Soul Satisfaction vol. 2 (Motown 013 215-2)
Jo Wallace from These Old Shoes Soul Club compiles her favourite Motown moments. Uppers investigates.
| Comments: | |
 | |
| Richard Karström | jan 16 2004 6:42PM |
 | |
| Nick (and everyone else)> You can get this record without leaving the house. Just click on the link to Amazon... As it's not free to run this site we are happy for every penny we can get (without selling our souls of course), and by buying from Amazon via our links you are supporting our cause. Thanks. | |
| |
| Nick Rossi | jan 16 2004 3:24PM |
| |
| Thanks for the info Lee...I will add it to the list. Hope you are well. Yes JO, I could have looked at the inlay, but that would mean putting on my shoes, leaving the house, and going to the record store to buy it! Happy Kwaanza to you as well. | |
| |
| Richard Karström | jan 15 2004 7:42AM |
| http://www.uppers.org/showArticle.asp?ar ticle=17 | |
| |
| Some long-time readers of Uppers might find track 8 familiar. Yes, "Love a go go" was the title of a Chess compilation released on Uppers Records eons ago. And yes, it's the same tune, the version on the Uppers cd is by The Lime (who I personally refer to as The Lame, but let's not go into that). | |
| |
| Lee | jan 15 2004 4:47AM |
| |
| Nick, Here's the listing for you old bean. (*=Well Recommended) track listing: 1. Oh! Lover - Sherri Taylor & Singing Sammy Ward * 2. The Chaperone - Labrenda Ben & The Beljeans * 3. My Kind Of Love - Satintones * 4. Who Wouldn't Love A Man Like That? - Mable John ** 5. You're My Remedy - Marvelettes * 6. Music Talk - Stevie Wonder * 7. Your Cheating Ways - Marvelettes * 8. Love A Go-Go - Stevie Wonder * 9. Then - Four Tops * 10. Seek And You Shall Find - Isley Brothers * 11. I Have Faith In You - Edwin Starr * 12. So Long - Marvin Gaye * 13. Time Is Passing By - Monitors 14. I Love You - Chris Clark * 15. I Feel Like I'm Falling In Love Again - Fantastic Four 16. Show Me The Way - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas * 17. Can't Seem To Get You Out Of My Head - Four Tops * 18. I'd Be A Fool Right Now - Stevie Wonder * 19. Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone - Chuck Jackson 20. The Stranger - Gladys Knight & The Pips * 21. Loving You Is Better Than Ever - Diana Ross & The Supremes 22. You Can Come Right Back To Me - David Ruffin 23. Gotta Find A True Love - Bottom & Co 24. One-Nighter - Dynamic Superiors Hope that helps.. (NB: The recommendation's are my own personal choice. And in every way should influence you in purchasing this compalation ;-) ) Lee | |
| |
| Jonathan Ogilvy | jan 14 2004 2:03PM |
| |
| Nick> what about the back of the record? Or should I say "see inlay?" What do you want for belated Kwansaa, my friend? JO | |
| |
| Nick Rossi | jan 13 2004 4:24PM |
| |
| Does anyone know where I can find the full track-listing for this comp? | |
| |
| Lee | jan 11 2004 9:21AM |
| |
| Sherri Taylor and Singing Sammy Ward's "Oh Lover" has made some impression on the UK scene over the past few years. Don't you just love the gritty, dirty R&B, that these two deliver. Issued twice on Motown M-1104. As "Lover" (Sherri Taylor & "Singin'" Sammy Ward) & "Oh Lover" ("Singin'" Sammy Ward & Sherri Taylor). But both use the same master (H-55539). LaBrenda Ben & The Beljeans, The Chaperone has been very popular on the Mod scene since the early 90's. A great slab of Rhythm & Soul form 1962. None other than Martha & The Vandellas with Saundra Mallet on lead. Mable John, who Would'nt Love A Man Like That. Another prime example of Motowns diversity. Mid tempo Rhythm & Soul at it's best. A rare piece, again issued twice. T-54031 (label with stripes) and T-54081 (label with Globes), the latter being a different take. Mabel was Little Willie John's sister! As Anders stated, there is a LOT of early sides that never get picked up on as well as a lot of Motown Stable subsidaries. Miracle, Gordy, Tamla, VIP, Soul, Tri-Phi, Anna, Check-Mate etc... Many of the early tracks on these labels get overlooked. But not by me, I'm a Motown Freak!!! But I'm not saying every track is good or a dancer. I'd recommend this series of CD's compiled by Jo for a great starting point up the Motown ladder. Lee | |
| |
Make your own comment  | |
