Back catalogue: Soul

Review: Erykah Badu remains one of our favourite all-time artists and one of the greatest voices in neo-soul even though these days she never actually releases much music. Along the way from the 90s onwards though she dropped a superb run of albums including the still astonishing debut Baduism and New Amerykah series. This part, part one, subtitled Fourth World War, gets the reissue treatment courtesy of Motown and features plenty of Erykah's dark and trippy vocals, smoky soul sounds, candle-lit atmospheres and thought-provoking lyrics.

Review: Erykah Badu tops up her patented purple vinyl reissue series, which she's slowly been building up over the last few years. Taking influence from hip-hop, jazz, R&B and art rock, the album 'But You Caint Use My Phone', originally released in 2015, dealt with the challenges of dealing with quiet-storm emotion in an isolated digital age. Prescient for the post-COVID era, this remaster and reissue is just as well-received for missed Zoom calls as it is for missed Nokia bells.

Review: Marvin Gaye's When I'm Alone I Cry reissue is full of the soulful legend's early aspirations to break into the jazz and pop markets. Recorded in 1964, Gaye's smooth, silky voice, draws clear inspiration from icons like Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra and the album is a collection of jazz standards, demonstrating Marvin's deep passion for a more adult sound. The production on When I'm Alone I Cry is polished, with lush orchestrations that perfectly complement Marvin's gentle, emotive vocals, with tracks like 'I Was Telling Her About You', the title track and 'If My Heart Could Sing' particularly amazing, revealing Gaye's ability to convey deep emotion. Though the album didn't achieve the same commercial success as his later works, it's a treasure for those studying Marvin's artistry, highlighting his versatility and desire to explore different genres. Fans of Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin or Sinatra's In The Wee Small Hours will appreciate the album's tender, melancholic mood.

Review: The Jackson 5 were a legendary American pop band consisting of famous musical brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson. Managed by their father, Joe Jackson, the group achieved great success in the 1970s and were much loved amongst younger audiences. They had plenty of chart hits and several of them went on to have great solo careers, of course. Their eighth studio album, G.I.T.: Get It Together was released on September 12, 1973, under the Motown label and now gets reissued on limited red vinyl with an insert.

Review: More Hits By The Supremes is a landmark album, aptly named for its impressive collection of chart-toppers. Released in 1965, this album encapsulates the peak of The Supremes' early success under Motown, driven by the prolific songwriting and production trio Holland-Dozier-Holland (H-D-H). With Diana Ross firmly established as the lead singer, this album showcases the group's mastery in delivering polished, soulful pop hits. The Supremes dominated the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965 with multiple number-one singles. 'Come See About Me,' 'Stop! In The Name Of Love,' and 'Back In My Arms Again' are just a few examples of their reign at the top. More Hits By The Supremes compiles these successful singles alongside other remarkable tracks, creating a near-perfect collection of songs that defined the sound of the 1960s. More Hits By The Supremes is a showpiece of the group's and H-D-H's remarkable synergy and creative peak. The album's front-loaded classic tracks and overall quality solidify it as one of The Supremes' best collections. It's a seminal recording of the 1960s about Motown and the pop-soul sound that defined an era.

Review: I Hear A Symphony by the Supremes is a catchy mix of Motown's signature sound and orchestral elegance. The title track, 'I Hear A Symphony,' stands out with its sweeping orchestration, marrying the classic "Wall of Sound' with an expansive musical arrangement. 'My World Is Empty Without You" is another highlight, featuring haunting organ and baritone sax. The album's charm lies in its original tracks, such as 'Any Girl In Love (Knows What I'm Going Through),' showcasing superb backing vocals, and 'Everything Is Good About You,' a precursor to the disco sound. 'He's All I Got' shines with its powerful lyrics and spirited delivery. While the covers songs are pleasant additions that add variety. The Supremes were unstoppable during this time with radio hits - this reissue shows you precisely why.

Review: Stevie Wonder's The Definitive Collection, now reissued on double vinyl, offers a broad overview of his remarkable career, initially compiled in 2002. . The collection highlights Wonder's versatilityipop, funk, soul, and jazz influences are all represented, with timeless tracks like 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours' and 'Sir Duke' standing out. While selections like 'Hey Love' and 'Overjoyed' may seem like odd inclusions when Stevie has had so many hits, the compilation still spans his career highlights, including smash hits like 'I Just Called to Say I Love You' and 'Part-Time Lover'. There are so many legendary songs, it's almost overwhelming - a great introduction to the breadth of Wonder's musical legacy.