Motown M5-111V1 LP Test Pressing NM 1993
Martha Reeves reedy, vibrant soprano could bring life to the comatose. These 11 songs seem to have been picked out of a hat from a pool of 50. There's no rhyme or reason as to why some were included and others overlooked. The exciting "Heat Wave" stills sound as fresh as ever, Thomas "Beans" Bowles' distinctive sax is like a third voice cutting with Martha's, and the unmistakable voices of Annette Beard and Rosalind Ashford on the earlier cuts. Banging tire chains give added bottom to "Dancing in the Street," originally designed for Kim Weston, as was "My Baby Loves Me," where the Vandellas are replaced by the Andantes, with added help from the Four Tops, on the jazziest tune Martha ever recorded. Both tunes were co-written by William "Mickey" Stevenson, who was Weston's husband; Kim reportedly wasn't phrasing the lyrics just right on "My Baby Loves Me," and Mickey cut it with Martha, who ended up phrasing the same as Kim, instead. The reason she lost out on "Dancing" is a little more vague. Percussionist Jack Ashford sounds like he's shaking a jar of paper clips on the fast but mellow "Nowhere to Run." One of Holland, Dozier, Holland's most engaging ballads, "Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things," is sung from the heart by Martha. "Jimmy Mack" and "Honey Chile" sound like they were recorded yesterday. The Funk Brothers' def beats jump from the speakers and command your full attention; the harmonies on "Mack" are impeccable; "Chile" has a southern flavor and some interesting lyrics. I never cared for "I Promise to Wait My Love," it sounds recycled. And I could have done without "Bless You" too -- which is nothing but a Diana Ross reject. But I love "A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Everyday)," it has a slinky, crawling beat and displays Reeves, Ashford and Beard at their harmonizing best. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
Side 1.
1. Heatwave (Lov...
2. Dancing In Th...
3. Nowhere To Run
4. I'm Ready For...
5. Jimmy Mack
Side 2.
6. Honey Chile
7. My Baby Loves Me
8. Love (Makes M...
9. A Love Like You...
10. Bless You
11. I Promise To Wait My Love
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