Motown Comp No. 1s C Pack [Box set, Collector's Edition, Limited Edition, Compilation]

There is no question about the power of Motown Records these past 50 years. It really has brought out of the best of what great R&B and Soul have been of the changing times. It has shown the essence of greats we would not have imagined to see in what feels like eons. Since it debuted back in the 50's, with Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Barry Gordy's legacy has shown just what the essence os great songs that have shown us the changes of our times, from Marvin gaye's What's Going On for the 70's, to the rises of fun & R&B in the 80's from the late Rick James with his Super Freak days. Now, it is just a gracious time for the company, as it certifies itself gold, and this mega boxed set is the best way to celebrate with it.

The 2008 Complete Motown #1's Box Set, celebrates the best and brightest hits that Motown records has done, throughout its 50 year legacy. This 10 disc package is a definitive and well-planned dedication to all of the acts that have made Motown records one of the signature landmark cornerstones of our music industry. The songs have all been remastered noblely, and the package on the outside, which mainly displays a beautiful replica of their original headquaters in Detroit, Michigan, feels like a great trip back through time. The boxed set itself includes a lot of great #1 songs from the cream of the crop of the Motown Standards from the greats like Stevie Wonder with his classics like Part-Time Lover and Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours, to the elegant 60's from greats like Marvin Gaye & Tammi Tarell, and Diana Ross & The Supremes with Baby Love and You Can't Hurry Love, all the way to the 80's and 90's gems like Lionel Richie and his elegance of Hello and his smashing hits like All Night Long and Hello, to the lingerings of the Hip Hop & Soul with the 90's from dynamos like Johnny Gill from New Edition with Rub Me The Right Way, all the way to the conquering heroes of 90's R&B with Boyz II Men and their mega-hits The End Of The Road and I'll Make Love To You. It feels like with each album, there is a story to tell, and a great to be re-discovered.

All in all, while there are absolutely very few boxed sets I really recommend, The Complete Motown #1's Box Set is absolutely one of the most captivating ones I've known in recent memory. The collection is absolutely a pure delight for any hard core fan of the classics, or for anyone who has missed out on gems of R&B that are just awaiting to be rediscovered. I love the conccept of the collection, and if you're in the mood for a great package of old-fashioned soul, than The Complete Motown #1's is the collection for your music library just for you.

Packaging: A-

Songs: A-

Remastering: A

Price: B

Overall: B+

Being a collector of boxed sets since more than 20 years I never seen a more spectacular package than the house the ten cd:s of this collection are stored in. Worth some money just to own this replica of the hitfactory. The music is,of course, for the most part gorgeous. at least for fans of the sweet soulpop Motown produced.Judging by the 200 nr ones on this collection there are a few of this fans around. Marvin Gaye, Tempations, Jackson five, Stevie Wonder, Fourtops, Diana Ross and the Supremes and on and on and on. The idea of putting all number ones(from around the globe)together is a good point when it comes to show that Motown really has been hitsville USA. When it comes to presenting the absolutely best music from Motown..well that s another story since there are some later Motown hits that not always are up to the standard of the classic sixties, seventies output. Still there is enough gems there to justify the packing and in that manner the box also gives a picture of the way RnB has developed over almost 50 years. It also gave me an opportunity to hear some absolutely stunners I never would have heard otherwise.Overall this boxed set presents both ear- and eyecandy in a way I never seen or heard before. Don t let the price scare you, compared to most other collections of this site this is a keeper for the ages. Highly recomended. And the remastering makes some of the old classics sound new to my ears. This set must have been a real Love Child for the producers.

If you're like me, you've always wanted to visit the Motown Museum in Detroit, but haven't gotten around to it yet. The unique packaging of this fabulous collection is an exact reproduction in miniature of the famed Motown Studio A. Enclosed within is a 99 page booklet filled with rare photographs of the Tamla Motown stable of recording artists, song credit information and introductory notes by Smokey Robinson. For those who remember the 7 inch purple Gordy label 45 rpm's named after Motown Records founder, Berry Gordy, no matter how fancy the packaging, "It's What's In The Grooves That Count" and the smokin' slabs of Detroit soul to be found in this 10 compact disc collection will not disappoint. Original promotion for this box set indicated that versions of Tamla/Motown hits by non Motown artists reaching number 1 status would also be included, but it appears that there was a last minute change of plans, as the box set I purchased does not contain these covers, but the original versions included as a "bonus." A small quibble, as "covers" rarely matched the fire of the original recording sessions.
For hard core Motown collectors, this set may be overkill if you subscribed to the Complete Motown Singles Volume 1 through 12, but none the less, it is a sheer joy to look at! Makes me want to make that extra effort to visit the motorcity and breathe in the magic of the fabled "snake pit!"