It could be argued that one of the places from which smooth jazz draws its inspiration is the abundant catalogue of soul music from the sixties and seventies. This being the case there is sure to be major interest from lovers of contemporary jazz in the new five-volume (10 CD) collector’s set now available from the magazine Time Life. The set, which is not available in stores and can be purchased at www.timelife.com, features songs by The Temptations, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Four Tops, Martha & The Vandella's, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, and many more. As an added bonus, a DVD of 12 performances by some of Motown’s favorite artists is also included.
Before receiving worldwide acclaim, ‘Hitsville, USA’ (or Motown as it became known) was created in 1959 by Berry Gordy, Jr. in the city of Detroit, Michigan. Gordy and company branded a sound that would stretch the boundaries of both music and racial integration. It gave the country (and later the world) a much needed spark of excitement during a time of war and worry. Americans were hungry for hope and Motown delivered. Commercially, the power of the Motown business vehicle would make way for wider acceptance of other musical genres like Rock and Roll, Hip Hop and, much later, contemporary jazz. This collection, a compilation of 150 of these original Motown recordings, is a time capsule of all that is Americana. From the sweet sounds of the Marvelettes to the heat of Marvin Gaye, The Motown Collection is an essential addition to any music lover’s cherished possessions.