EW's GRADE
B+

Details Lead Performance: Various Artists; Genres: R&B, Reissues

One big (sometimes) happy family, the artists of Motown drew much of their material from a common pool. This delightful collection, The Ultimate Motown Rarities Collection, Vol. 1, pairs classic songs with the act that didn't have the hit version. Comparing these renditions (Stevie Wonder taking on the Supremes' ''I Hear a Symphony,'' for example) to the more familiar versions provides an informal primer of R&B vocal styles. Eighteen never-before-released tracks only add to the fascination. B+

Originally posted Sep 25, 1998 Published in issue #451 Sep 25, 1998 Order article reprints

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