Diana Ross & the Supremes
50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1961-1969
Motown/Hip-O/Universal

It's ironic and amusing that Motown honcho Berry Gordy initially didn't want to sign the Supremes, saying that he wasn't interested in another girl group as he tried to shoo the young ladies out of his office. That bit of trivia is recalled in the notes that accompany this fine set, along with details of another very important moment in pop history---the moment that Gordy hooked the girls up with the songwriting team of Holland/Dozier/Holland. The string of hits that came out of that partnership is staggering and biggies "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love," "Come See about Me," "Stop! In the Name of Love," "Back in My Arms Again," "You Can't Hurry Love" and "You Keep Me Hangin' On," all included here, are some of the singles that made Diana Ross & the Supremes the most successful girl group ever. What's really neat about this 3-CD set though is that it goes far deeper than the mega hits, collecting obscure singles, rarities and B-sides; that means you get things like "L'Amore Verra" which is "You Can't Hurry Love" sung in Italian, offbeat numbers like "(The Man With The) Rock And Roll Banjo Band" and "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine" along with Christmas songs, alternate takes, songs from German singles and an interview piece. 82 tracks in all, intelligently annotated and packaged in a graphics-heavy book-style album that will tickle collectors.

The Temptations
50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1961-1971
Motown/Hip-O/Universal