Satisfaction Guaranteed ~ Motown Guys 1961-69

I've revisited this collection after several years unplayed. I was underwhelmed by the contents when it first came out and after due reflection I still am. The positives are the mixing which is sympathetic to these fifty year old tracks and the presentation with compilers doing a fine job. Then there is the quality of the voices which is tops throughout. The issue is there are too many lacklustre songs . I suppose that's not surprising given that these were all rejected by Motown's rigorous Quality Control committee. In my opinion there is only one (from 24) truly outstanding cut which is Johnny Bristol's 'Tell Me How To Forget A True Love'. There are a some commendable cuts from the likes of: Marvin Johnson, Jr Walker & The All-Stars and the obscure Quails. Frank Wilson's version 0f 'Together Til The End Of Time' is well worth hearing but not of the quality of the released verson of Brenda Holloway. The Contours 'Claudia' appears here sung by a different lead singer from the relesed version in 1961. It's a good song and a decent vocal but IMO inferior to the version chosen at the time. Nothing else stands out I feel - maybe The Temptations version of 'He Who Picks The Rose' . Incidentally this sounds a lot like 'I Gotta Find A Way (To Get You Back)', a cut from their 'Cloud Nine' LP. I've now downloaded the cuts mentioned into my computer library. The CD has gone back on the shelf where it will no doubt stay for a few more years. I'm glad it was released but not a significant Motown release for me.

Since Kent started compiling Motown's back catalogue the standard has got better, no in content but in end product. The mixing is much closer to the way Motown's Funk Brother's laid the track down and the artists sounding sharp. The only thing missing was some crackles added and it could be vinyl. Kent/Ace have always gone that extra mile regards sound and it shows. Any Motown CD that has the Kent logo on it, BUY. You won't go wrong!Personal stand out tracks:T2. Safety Zone - Marv Johnson (finished version of Sidney Barnes' masterpiece)T4. Show Me You Can Dance - The Hit Pack (great version of the previously unissued Smokey & The Miracles)T10. Just Your Love - Ivy Jo (Also left in the can by Marvin Gaye, this will have grown men in tears)T21. Say, Say, Baby - The Serenaders (S. Barnes / G.Kerr written produced and group members, with the Rare Soul legend Timothy Wilson on Lead Vocals. Uptempo pounding beat Motown late 1963 style. For years this was wrongly filed as being The Creations (who had 1 45 on the Motown Subsidiary Mel-O-Dy label). Sidney cleared things up that it was Tim on lead vocals.)

Bought this compilation purely to get an obscure unissued track by the little known group "The Hitpack". The track I wanted is "Show me you can dance" a killer vintage Motown track. Never released at the time back in the mid sixties. Versions were also cut by the Miracles (released on their 35th anniversary box set) and the Monitors on their Kent Anthology cd. I love this track, like many it failed to get through Motown quality control back in the day. Not listened to the rest of the compilation yet, but I am sure there will be other gems to discover.

some good tracks for dancing

It's always great to be introduced to unreleased Motown and this album doesn't disappoint. The sound quality is good and the material ain't too bad either...

This is the Stuff we want not the same old tracks been re released. Couple of poor tracks but hey I can put up with that. Shame we can't get some put on VINYL. Yes I have asked but to costly Universal pull the strings. Well worth buying StefC Leek Soul Club

Delivered on time, great music again they should do this more often. Loads more music out there.

Ace has done it again,marvin gaye,four tops,smokey robinson,jr walker,jimmy ruffin,who can believe that unrealesed tracks by these artists can be found,some recorded more than 50 years ago,dare i say aces best motown release yet,more please.