Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Spellbound: Motown Lost & Found 1962-1972 [2CD Remastered Limited Edition] (2005)

Spellbound re-introduces the 'MOTOWN: LOST & FOND' series, which previously featured single disc sets by The Temptations, The Miracles, Four Tops and Marvin Gaye. Now, the series will feature new 2-CD sets, starting with the best of the 'lost' recordings from Martha's Motown tenure. It includes Ms. Reeves and the original backing Vandellas, Annette Sterling and Rosalind Ashford, as well Martha's subsequent Vandellas, Betty Kelly (of the original Velvelettes), her sister Lois Reeves and the late Sandra Tilley. The Andantes are also in the mix, most prominently on the soaring cover of "For Once In My Life." Producers represented in the package include Smokey Robinson ("Spellbound," "That's How Bad," "You Neglect Me"), Mickey Stevenson and Ivy Jo Hunter ("I Got It Bad"), The CorporationTM ("Ain't My Stuff Good Enough"), Richard Morris ("A Little Bit Of Heaven," "Candy Man" and "I'm Glad You Belong To Me," same as the song by Edwin Starr and Blinky), Henry Cosby ("Where Was I (When Love Came By))," Shorty Long ("You've Been On My Mind," "I'll Take A Raincheck"), and Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier (cover of the Tops' "Since You've Been Gone" and the original version of their "If You Don't Want My Love"); they team with Contour Billy Gordon for "All That Glitters Isn't Gold." Johnny Bristol, as fans know, cut "Earthquake." For the savvy collectors who already have its original mono version, you will be blown away by the new stereo mix. Oh, right, and that kid Stevie Wonder, who wrote and produced for Martha "Let Me Fall In Love With You" and "Talking About Love." The accompanying booklet showcases beautiful photos of the group from the Motown Records Archives, plus detailed track-by-track recording dates, and an essay by Martha Reeves' biographer Mark Bego. Click on his liner notes for more of the story.