• Track Listing

The latest volume in Jasmine's intense reissue programme of early Detroit Soul, this unique compilation is built around the seven singles which BARRETT STRONG recorded for Tamla and Atco, between 1959 and 1962. Strong was one of Tamla's earliest hitmakers, famously recording the original version of 'Money', the crossover R&B/Pop classic which would later be revived by Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, among many more. Also featured are six minor Tamla/Motown/Miracle artists CHICO LEVERETT (who was also a member of The Satintones), HERMAN GRIFFIN, SINGIN' SAMMY WARD (who charted briefly with 'Who's The Fool'), HERMAN LUMPKIN, GINO PARKS and ANDRE WILLIAMS (who went on to become an important producer), each of whom cut only a few sides for Berry Gordy's labels. Like most compilations of early Tamla/Motown material this is a superlative body of work, and you wonder why more of these sides failed to become hits.