Motown Sound Collection December 2024 Vinyl Reissue Series
Elemental Music has been rereleasing classic R&B albums through its Motown Sound Collection vinyl reissue series. With nineteen albums released since May, Elemental Music has introduced some of the greatest African American artists to a new generation of fans. The next three albums in the Motown Sound Collection will be released on December 13, 2024. The albums include Gladys Knight & the Pips’ Neither One of Us, The Temptations’ Solid Rock, and The Undisputed Truth's The Undisputed Truth.
Gladys Knight & the Pips’ Neither One of Us
Neither One of Us is the ninth studio album from Gladys Knight & the Pips. The album was released in 1973 and quickly became a hit, reaching Billboard’s Top LPs chart to the #9 position and the top pole on the Top Soul LPs chart. The title track hit the #1 spot in the U.S. R&B chart and #2 in the Singles chart. “Daddy Could Swear, I Declare” is another popular single off the album and it reached #2 in the R&B chart and#19 in the Top 20. Neither One of Us is Gladys Knight & the Pips’ most successful album. Critics praised the album for Gladys Knight’s emotional vocals and the use of electric keyboards and a string section.
The Temptations’ Solid Rock
Released in 1972, Solid Rock is the 15th studio album by The Temptations. It is the first album from The Temptations without founding members Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. The record showed that the band could continue successfully without its two founders. Solid Rock earned the #1 spot on Billboard’s R&B album chart. The album has three standout singles. “It’s Summer” originated as a B-side to the band’s single “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Needs Today).” When released as a single, the track nearly broke into the top half of the Hot 100 and peaked at #51.“Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)” made the Top Ten on the R&B Chart and reached #18 on the Hot 100. “Take A Look Around” was a Top 30 hit single.
The Undisputed Truth’s The Undisputed Truth
The Undisputed Truth’s self-titled debut, released in 1971, is unique among Motown recordings for incorporating psychedelia. The album was produced by Norman Whitfield, one of the architects of the famous Motown sound. Classic tracks include the album's first single, “Save My Love for a Rainy Day” which peaked at #43 on the R&B chart. The second single “Smiling Faces Sometimes” was even more successful and reached #3 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The album also includes The Undisputed Truth’s rendition of “Aquarius” from the hit Broadway musical Hair. Fans of the Temptations will recognize some tracks as the group covered many songs that first appeared on The Undisputed Truth.
Elemental Music plans more Motown Sound Collection releases in 2025. The albums set to be rereleased by Elemental Music include Reflections from Diana Ross & The Supremes, Pure Smokey by Smokey Robinson, and Changing Times by The Four Tops. As with the previous releases, the albums will replicate the 12-by-12 full-color packaging of the ‘60s and ‘70s LPs.
