The Motown Sound Collection: July 2024 Reissues

By Mike Perciaccante

Motown fans rejoice! On July 12th, the Motown Records vaults will again open to offer fans a new group of its most revered and classic albums. Released through archival imprint Elemental Music, The Motown Sound Collection is an LP Reissue Series that contains some of the greatest titles in its fabled catalogue. Each replicates the ‘60s and ‘70s LPs’ bold sound as well as the original full-color album packaging.

The current set of releases features four classic LPs originally released during an amazing 5-year run for Motown and its subsidiaries. The label’s newest batch of reissued and remastered albums is now available on 140G vinyl. These titles are: Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells - Together (this time reissued in mono) [Motown, 1964], The Supremes - I Hear A Symphony (pressed on green vinyl) [Motown, 1966], The Temptations - Cloud Nine [Gordy, 1969] and The Four Tops - Still Waters Run Deep [Motown, 1970].

Together was the only studio album ever credited to Gaye and Wells. The album reached as high as number 42 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, yielding two Top 20 singles, “Once Upon a Time” and “What's the Matter with You Baby.” Both songs, as well as the other 8 on the original LP, can be heard here on the reissue in a stunning crystal-clear monophonic mix.

I Hear A Symphony was The Supremes’ eighth studio album. Featuring the title track as well as “My Word Is Empty Without You;” “With A Song In My Heart;” “Without A Song” and “Stranger In Paradise,”  it reached number 8 on the Billboard charts. 

Cloud Nine (the only album among this current group of reissues that was originally released on Motown’s Gordy subsidiary) is considered both a turning point for The Temptations and for soul music. The ninth studio release from the celebrated band was its first studio LP featuring Dennis Edwards as the replacement for David Ruffin (who left the group in 1968). It was on Cloud Nine that The Temptations began to experiment with incorporating psychedelic soul into its sound. Highlights from this album include: the title track (winner of the 1969 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental), “I Wish It Would Rain,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” and “Run Away Child, Running Wild.”  Cloud Nine reached number 4 on the US Billboard 200 charts.

Still Waters Run Deep was the album that returned The Four Tops to the Top 40 on the Billboard Pop Albums charts. Still Waters Run Deep spent 42 weeks on the charts reaching as high as number 21. Featuring the hits, “Still Water (Love)” (written by Smokey Robinson and which peaked at number 11). and the cover of Tommy Edwards' 1951 tune "It's All in the Game" (#24), this is the LP that allowed the Four Tops to roar back to prominence after a few years of lagging sales.

Each of these four reissues is a brilliant remaster that features warm, rich, bold and high fidelity sound. Sound of this caliber can only be achieved via a quality vinyl release.

Elemental Music was founded in 2012. The label specializes in the re-release of newly discovered and out-of-print recordings (primarily Jazz, Blues, and Soul) which have been meticulously curated and remastered. The series of reissues will continue with titles scheduled for release through early 2025.  Upcoming releases include:

Aug. 16:

The Jackson Five - Get It Together (Red Vinyl/Die-Cut Cover)

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Make It Happen (Mono edition)

The Supremes - More Hits By The Supremes (Mono edition)

Sept. 13:

The Temptations - Meet the Temptations (Mono edition)

Marvin Gaye - In the Groove

The Supremes - Love Child

Oct. 11:

The Jackson 5 - Third Album (Red Vinyl)

The Supremes - A Bit of Liverpool (Mono edition)

The Temptations - Sky’s the Limit

Nov. 15:

The Four Tops – The Four Tops (Mono edition)

Marvin Gaye - When I’m Alone I Cry (Mono edition)

Eddie Kendricks - People…Hold On

Dec. 13:

Gladys Knight & the Pips - Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the One to Say Goodbye)

The Temptations - Solid Rock

The Undisputed Truth - The Undisputed Truth