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Back in March, we filled you in about Universal Japan’s plans for Motown’s 60th anniversary campaign, which included a series of reissues and a 3-CD, 60-song collection.  We recently reviewed the U.S.’ reissue of the definitive Motown: The Complete No. 1s box set.  Now, the U.K. is getting into the act with a different 3-CD, 60-song anthology of its own.

Motown: Greatest Hits arrives on August 16.  Like the Japanese set, it boasts 60 classics from the label on three CDs, but the selection is largely different and, naturally, tailored to the territory.  Northern soul favorites like Frank Wilson’s “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)” and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ “The Night” take their place here alongside international Motown staples.  Groups represented include The Supremes (“Baby Love,” “Reflections,” “Stoned Love”), The Miracles (“You Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Shop Around,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown”), Martha and the Vandellas (“Dancing in the Street”), Four Tops (“I Can’t Help Myself,” “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)”), and The Temptations (“My Girl,” “Ball of Confusion,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “Treat Her Like a Lady”).  Solo artists such as Stevie Wonder (“Uptight (Everything’s Alright),” “For Once in My Life,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours),” “Superstition,” “Sir Duke,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You”), Marvin Gaye (“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “What’s Going On,” “Let’s Get It On”), and Diana Ross (“I’m Still Waiting,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Love Hangover,” “Upside Down,” “I’m Coming Out,” and “Endless Love” with Lionel Richie) are all featured.

Whereas the Japanese collection goes up to the present day with artists like Ne-Yo and B.J. the Chicago Kid, the U.K. edition ends with DeBarge’s 1985 “Rhythm of the Night” and Shanice’s 1991 “I Love Your Smile.”  While there’s nothing new or rare on this set, Motown: Greatest Hits is an affordable sampler of The Sound of Young America’s golden age and beyond, with an emphasis on hits that registered in the United Kingdom.  Due on August 16, it can be pre-ordered at the links below.  A cut-down 2-LP version will also be released the same day.

Various Artists, Motown: Greatest Hits (Motown/Universal U.K., 2019)

3CD: Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2LP: Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD

CD 1

1. Barrett Strong – Money (That’s What I Want)
2. The Miracles – Shop Around
3. The Marvelettes – Please Mr Postman
4. The Contours – Do You Love Me
5. The Miracles – You Really Got A Hold On Me
6. Mary Wells – My Guy
7. Martha And The Vandellas – Dancing In The Street
8. The Supremes – Baby Love
9. Marvin Gaye – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
10. The Velvelettes – Needle In A Haystack
11. Temptations – My Girl
12. Four Tops – I Can’t Help Myself
13. Frank Wilson – Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
14. Smokey Robinson And The Miracles – The Tracks Of My Tears
15. Stevie Wonder – Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
16. Isley Brothers – This Old Heart Of Mine
17. Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted
18. Four Tops – Reach Out (I’ll Be There)
19. Stevie Wonder – For Once In My Life
20. Diana Ross And The Supremes – Reflections
21. Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine
22. The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
23. Temptations – Ball Of Confusion

CD 2

1. Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
2. Edwin Starr – War
3. The Spinners – It’s A Shame
4. Smokey Robinson And The Miracles – Tears Of A Clown
5. The Supremes – Stoned Love
6. Diana Ross – I’m Still Waiting
7. Temptations – Just My Imagination
8. Diana Ross – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
9. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
10. Michael Jackson – Got To Be There
11. Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons – The Night
12. Temptations – Papa Was A Rolling Stone
13. Stevie Wonder – Superstition
14. Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On
15. Eddie Kendricks – Keep On Truckin’
16. The Miracles – Love Machine
17. Diana Ross – Love Hangover
18. Commodores – Easy

CD 3

1. Marvin Gaye – Got To Give It Up
2. Thelma Houston – Don’t Leave Me This Way
3. Commodores – Three Times A Lady
4. Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
5. Diana Ross – Upside Down
6. Jermaine Jackson – Let’s Get Serious
7. Smokey Robinson – Being With You
8. Michael Jackson – One Day In Your Life
9. Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out
10. Rick James – Superfreak (Part One)
11. Diana Ross And Lionel Richie – Endless Love
12. Lionel Richie – All Night Long
13. Temptations – Treat Her Like A Lady
14. Stevie Wonder – I Just Called To Say I Love You
15. Mary Jane Girls – All Night Long
16. Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me
17. Commodores – Nightshift
18. DeBarge – Rhythm Of The Night
19. Shanice – I Love Your Smile