Motown 51

Founder Berry Gordy (picture) has to blow out 51 candles this year. It’s a good opportunity to make a brand new Motown tribute (so not only at their much celebrated 50th birthday last year).

I like the straightforward lyrics sung by the Sisters Love. It’s all about a guy who needs some Viagra, I presume. If he can’t fix it, singer Merry Clayton warns him that ‘maybe the milkman can’. Merry appeared on several Joe Cocker releases, but is best known for her impassioned appearance on the Rolling Stones’ classic ‘Gimmie shelter’. The Sisters Love worked with singers such as Willie Hutch, Leon Ware and Gloria Jones, toured the world with The Jackson Five, and appeared in the Blaxploitation movie ‘The mack’.

The tracks by Associates and Robin Thicke (from his excellent new album 'Sex therapy') were not published, but inspired by Motown. And 'I can't help myself' by The Four Tops has been mashed up with 'When I'm 64' by the Beatles in this Motown mix. John, Paul, George and Ringo were in fact big fans of the Motown sound. They covered for instance 'Please mr. postman' (originally done by the Marvelettes).

Tracklist:

Robin Thicke – Million Dolla Baby (2010)
Smokey Robinson – Theme From Big Time (1977)
David Ruffin – You Can Come Right Back To Me (1971)
Yvonne Fair – It Should Have Been Me (1975)
The Temptations – Fading Away (1966)
The Sisters Love – Mr. Fix-It Man (1973)
Leon Ware – Share Your Love (1976)
The Four Tops – I Can’t Help Myself [Beatles Mash-up] (1965)
Reuben Howell – Help The People (1975)
The Undisputed Truth – Big John Is My Name (1974)
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – Walk On, Don’t Look Back (1972)
Chris Clark – Sweet Loving (1960s)
Teena Marie – I’m A Sucker For Your Love (1979)
Thelma Houston – I'm Here Again (1977)
Associates – Love Hangover (1982)
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playin' (1968)
G.C. Cameron – This Will Make You Dance (1977)
Willie Hutch – Try It You"ll Like It (1974)
The Originals – Tear It On Down (1971)
Kiki Dee – The Day Will Come Between Sunday And Monday (1970)
Gladys Knight & the Pips – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (1968)
The Supremes – It’s Time To Break Down (1970)
Marvin Gaye – You Can Leave, But It's Going To Cost You (1978)

Motown 51 by Professor Eddy on Mixcloud