Ace’s Songwriter Series and Black America Sings compilations always promise a good time, but their latest may have outdone them all: a hits and rarities packed tribute to the songs, sound and style of Stevie Wonder. Black America Sings Stevie Wonder, available March 27, collects 20 compositions by the Motown legend from across the pop and soul diaspora. From familiar tracks in less familiar versions to songs he gave others both on and off the label he was part of for more than half a century, there’s quite a bit to appreciate here,…
United: Ace Compiles Songs of Gamble and Huff on “Love Train” Collection
Ace Records is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary with special releases as well as concerts and a pop-up shop in London. Over the course of those decades, the label has established a number of long-running series including their Songwriters and Producers lines. A recent release in the Songwriters series celebrates two of the all-time greats in both categories: Philadelphia’s Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. Love Train: The Gamble and Huff Songbook brings together 24 songs from the Philadelphia International Records duo who also formed two thirds of Mighty Three Publishing along with…
Try to See Things Their Way: Ace Preps ‘Here, There and Everywhere,’ Third Collection of Beatles Covers Through a Black Lens
As fans prepare for the release of the new Disney+ documentary Beatles ’64, chronicling The Fab Four’s legendary inaugural trip to America, U.K. label Ace Records has an exciting release coming that same weekend, featuring nearly two dozen Black artists paying tribute to a series of songbooks that owed so much to soul music and rhythm and blues traditions. Here, There and Everywhere: Black America Sings Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, available November 29, is the seventh of Ace’s “Black America Sings” releases, which began with a 2011 entry on Bob Dylan and…
Touch My Heart: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Expands “From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music” Box Set
Back in 1998, The Country Music Foundation teamed with Warner Bros. Records to release From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music. The 3-CD box set was divided into three thematic discs – The Stringband Era, The Soul Country Years, and Forward with Pride – which reflected on the immense contributions of African-Americans to country music in 60 songs. Today, the spotlight shines even more brightly on the black experience in the genre, in no small part due to the release earlier this year of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. The album…
Yes It Is: Grapefruit Collects 85 Beatles Covers on “We Can Work It Out”
Over the years, there have been countless collections of Beatles covers. Cherry Red’s Grapefruit imprint threw its hat into the ring late last year with a fulsome new 3-CD set. We Can Work It Out: Covers of The Beatles 1962-1966 concentrates only on the Fab Four’s first years, arranging its 85 songs in the order of the original Beatles song releases. Most, though not all, of the versions are contemporaneous, making this set a particularly enjoyable tour through the rapidly shifting pop music landscape. We Can Work It Out boasts artists both…
In Memoriam: Lamont Dozier (1941-2022)
We at The Second Disc are not musicians. Well – I don’t want to speak for Joe, but outside of an enthusiastic karaoke night every now and again, I am not a musician. But I obviously think of what it takes to mix brain power and artistic expression so brilliantly in the creation of a song, as well as the struggles that every artist faces when trying to “make it.” Earning a living is one thing, sure, but so is the magic of connecting with a friend or a stranger through a…
The Weekend Stream: August 7, 2022
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing weekly review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there’s plenty of great new/old music to discover! From new remixes of old favorites and throwback remixes of new hits, to deep dives into ’80s alt-rock, mid-century easy listening, ’70s live folk and ’90s tracks to run on the beach in slow motion to…we’re pulling out all this stops this Sunday! Beyoncé & Madonna, Break My Soul (The Queens Remix) (Parkwood/Columbia) (iTunes / Amazon) Queen Bey had a busy month gearing…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
Release Round-Up: Week of March 4
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the titles arriving in stores today! Mary Wilson, The Motown Anthology (Motown/UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) The Motown Anthology is the ultimate retrospective of Mary Wilson, multi-hyphenate talent: singer, activist, author, fashion icon, actress, mother, grandmother, friend, trailblazer, legend, Supreme. This first-ever comprehensive overview of Wilson’s Motown discography presents 38 songs, including a whopping 33 tracks only available physically on this collection including stunning new mixes of Supremes favorites, four Supremes outtakes produced by Deke Richards, the complete 1979 Mary…
Categories:
Formats:
It’s Red Hot Just For You: Mary Wilson’s “The Motown Anthology” Coming Soon from Real Gone Music, Second Disc Records
In her final message to fans shared on YouTube, Mary Wilson shared some very special news. “I finally decided how to work with Universal,” the legendary Supreme confided to her fans, “and they are going to release new Mary Wilson recordings. Yes! At last! At last.” That day is finally upon us. On December 3, Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records will premiere The Motown Anthology, a brand-new 2-CD, 38-song collection of the best of Mary Wilson. Before her unexpected passing on February 8, 2021 at the age of 76, Mary…
The Weekend Stream: September 11, 2021
While The Second Disc prides itself on connecting people to reissues and box sets they can keep on their shelves, it’s no secret that listening audiences are also digital – catalogue music lovers, too – and our passion is connecting people to music from the past that they might adore. So we’ve introduced a new feature: The Weekend Stream, which focuses on hidden gems that recently made it to digital channels that might make your playlists a little brighter! Aaliyah, Aaliyah (Blackground/EMPIRE) (iTunes / Amazon / Spotify) The Blackground Records digital rollout…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
“It’s What’s Happening, Baby!” Historic, All-Star Music Special Returns To TV After 55 Years
It’s What’s Happening, Baby! That’s the name of the 1965 television special hosted by influential New York disk jockey Murray Kaufman, a.k.a. Murray The K. Over the course of 90 minutes, the jocular, hep-talking Murray (who christened himself The Fifth Beatle as an early friend and supporter of the Fab Four) shared musical performances by the day’s biggest pop and soul acts including The Supremes, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, The Righteous Brothers, The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Rivers, Herman’s Hermits, The Temptations, The Ronettes, Martha and The Vandellas, Patti LaBelle and The…
In Memoriam: Mary Wilson (1944-2021)
Mary Wilson…our world is empty without you. When Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard (along with their friend Barbara Martin) first came to Motown, they were known as The Primettes. Before their first single’s release, they had been rechristened The Supremes. While there was initial skepticism of the name, any such doubts clearly dissipated when “Where Did Our Love Go” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on August 22, 1964. It was the first of a staggering twelve No. 1s The Supremes would notch before the end of the…
Songs of Joy and Peace: Real Gone Music Announces 2020 Christmas Titles
Can it be? Christmas season already? It seems like just yesterday it was March! Well, a time-bending pandemic isn’t going to keep holiday cheer away, at least not when it comes to new yuletide reissues! Real Gone Music has a trio of them coming your way in November and December. We told you about Season’s Greetings: The Fantastic Strings of Felix Slatkin back in July when it was issued as an online-only product. If you missed out, fear not! The Vatican-endorsed Christmas classic will become widely available on CD on November 6….
Don’t Rain on Their Parade: Diana Ross and The Supremes’ “Funny Girl” Comes to Deluxe CD from Second Disc Records, Real Gone Music
Nobody – no, nobody was gonna rain on Diana Ross and The Supremes’ parade. With new member Cindy Birdsong joining Miss Ross and Mary Wilson, the group released no fewer than five albums in 1968, all of which showcased their extraordinary versatility. One of those LPs was to be their only full-length tribute to a classic Broadway score – and what a tribute it was from three of Motown’s “greatest stars.” Diana Ross & The Supremes Sing and Perform “Funny Girl” featured the group’s dynamic renditions of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill’s…
Holly Jolly Christmas: TJL Presents Ultimate Holiday Celebration on Public Television, CD and DVD
Have you caught the Christmas spirit yet? If not, things are very likely to change on Saturday, November 16. That’s when TJL Productions debuts a new special on PBS that’s sure to get you ready for the holiday season. A Classic Christmas, part of T.J. Lubinsky’s acclaimed My Music series, presents an array of yuletide favorites from an all-star roster of legendary artists. Hosted by Marion Ross (Happy Days) and Gavin MacLeod (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat), A Classic Christmas is essential viewing for the entire family as it…
Let’s Have a Party: Motown, James Brown, U2, Sinatra Part of UMe’s RSD Black Friday Festivities
With the lead-up to Record Store Day Black Friday in full swing, it’s time to take a look at what Universal Music Group has prepped for the semi-annual vinyl bonanza. The label’s eight major catalog vinyl releases are familiar to longtime RSD consumers. Some celebrate an iconic anniversary (as is the case for titles by U2, Frank Sinatra and Frank Zappa), one complements a general catalog title (an unreleased live James Brown album), and some just feature great music in rare presentations. Learn all about UMG’s Black Friday titles below. All will…
Nowhere To Run: Vinyl Me Please Announces “Women of Motown” Anthology Series
The Motown news just keeps on coming! In April, vinyl subscription outlet Vinyl Me, Please featured Blue Note Records for the first volume in their immersive, multimedia series Vinyl Me, Please Anthology. Now, the label has announced their next installment: Vinyl Me, Please Anthology: The Women of Motown. VMP promises “an immersive journey into the storied label told through the music of the women who made it legendary.” Subscriptions for the Anthology program will open on September 19 with an exclusive, discounted early bird sale. The general public on-sale follows on September…
Release Round-Up: Week of August 29
Here’s your Release Round Up for the week ahead. Various Artists, Country Music — A Film By Ken Burns: The Soundtrack (Legacy Recordings) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.) 5CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1CD: Walmart.com Filmmaker Ken Burns has tackled many subjects over the years, from the Civil War to baseball. His documentaries have garnered numerous awards over the years. In 2001, he took an in-depth look at the genre…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
Shop Around: “Motown: Greatest Hits” Arrives From Universal U.K.
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…
Review: Various Artists, “Motown: The Complete No. 1s”
Smokey Robinson’s mama famously told the young singer-songwriter that he’d better shop around, but happily, those looking for the definitive chronicle of Smokey and Diana and Mary and Flo and Martha and Marvin and Stevie and co. need shop around no more. To mark the label’s 60th anniversary, Motown: The Complete No. 1s is back in print in a slightly-expanded edition, and this 11-CD box set is, simply, one-stop shopping. Impressively housed within a sturdy replica of 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan, this collection features all of the company’s chart-toppers…
Return To West Grand Boulevard: ‘Motown: The Complete No. 1s’ Box Gets Expanded Reissue
For its 60th anniversary year, Universal Music Enterprises has begun reminding fans that “Motown Did It First“; now, the label that launched The Sound Of Young America is revisiting a box set that was released in celebration of its 50th anniversary a decade ago. Motown: The Complete No. 1s is being reissued and expanded on June 28. Motown: The Complete No. 1s featured more than 200 international chart-toppers, plus a handful of bonus masters that went to No. 1 through cover versions or samples. And the packaging was a delight: the discs…
Categories:
Genres:
Motown Did It First: Japan’s Motown 60 Campaign Reissues Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, Gladys, Martha, Brenda, and More
Motown Did It First! That’s the campaign slogan for Universal Japan’s ongoing program celebrating the venerable label’s 60th anniversary. And indeed, the influence of Motown – still the most successful African-American-founded record label of all time – can’t be underestimated when considering the current music scene. A number of physical releases have already been released in Japan to mark the anniversary, most of which are available as affordable imports and include titles not commonly available on the CD format. This first wave of titles is anchored by the compilation Motown 60, featuring…
Release Round-Up: Week of June 29
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! The Supremes, Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland: Expanded Edition (Motown/UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) The Supremes’ smash 1967 album featuring “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone” gets a must-have 2-CD deluxe treatment, including the original mono and stereo albums, rarities, outtakes, remixes, and a live set from The Copacabana in 1967 featuring one of the last joint performances of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard! Read more here! Guns N’ Roses, Appetite for Destruction [Various Formats] (Geffen/UMe) 1CD:…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
The Happening: “The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland” Expanded Edition Due in June
Love is here… On June 15, Motown/UMe will celebrate the legacy of The Supremes with a new 2-CD Expanded Edition in the long-running series. 1967’s The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland will be expanded from 12 tracks to a whopping 52, incorporating rarities, outtakes, live performances, and much more. The Supremes’ final album to be completely written by the team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland (with a little help on two songs from “Indiana Wants Me” tunesmith R. Dean Taylor!) and produced by Brian and Lamont, Sing H-D-H featured two Pop…
Land of a Thousand Dances: Ace Salutes Music of 1965, Plus Rock Instrumentals and Spanish Pop
Ace Records rightfully has a reputation for its top-notch collections, and three recent releases are no exception to that rule. Jon Savage’s 1965: The Year The Sixties Ignited follows previous releases compiled for Ace by historian Savage covering the years 1966 and 1967. This latest volume, with 48 tracks on 2 CDs, explores how the various strains of pop music came together to awaken the culture: whether the power of Motown (the label had six number ones) or Bob Dylan (who inspired an onslaught of imitators and cover artists), just to name…
