Ace Records - November Releases 2015

Well, the "More Motown Girls: Love & Affection" has now had several plays.  Some previous releases by other companies left me feeling a little deflated by the quality, thinking there was little left of any real quality in the vaults of Motown.  But Keith Hughes and Ace/Kent have once again dispelled that notion by delivering a first class package.  Almost every track is quality and leaves one wondering what Motown where doing canning these once they were laid down ink the studio.  It's fair to say though that these probably wouldn't have appealed to the white teen audience Motown were often chasing but for lovers of Soul Music there are some real gems here.

Kicking off with the instantly recognisable Brenda Holloway with a track good enough for the clubs up and down the country, indeed the rest of the world. Two tracks that are already familiar with dancers "Any Girl In Love" already known by Kim Weston but here we have Gladys Knight and The Pips belting out there slightly more uptempo rendition.  Barbara Randolph follows with a great take on the Isley's "My Love Is Your Love".  Martha Reeves, an artist I've not always got on with vocally is up next with the excellent "This Is The Love".  All three are good enough to grace any turntable, well CD Deck but I doubt anyone will have the nerve which is a shame.  Others I reckon have dance floor potential is the Lewis Sisters with the catchy "Many Good Times" and Hattie Littles with "Now That Love Is Gone," a track as soon as I heard reminded me of Louis Paul "The Change Will Do You Good".  Rita Wright is a worthy mention with "Give Back The Good Things" as are The Lollipops with "Go For Yourself."  Liz Lands and Linda Griner with earlier versions of "Midnight Johnny" and "Envious" respectively will be familiar with collectors. 

The CD is a worthy addition to any collection with very few tracks that did little for my enjoyment, the final two Chris Clark with "Forgotten" and Kim Weston with the jazz influenced "Lover Man" were probably the two least favourite tracks but failed to dampen my listening enjoyment of the CD.  

Keith Hughes and Kent will have a lot to live uo too when they next delve into Motown's vaults too continue the brilliant series of Motown releases from the label.