Best Reissue Campaign of 2025: The Great Motown Sounds

Best Reissue Campaign of 2025: The Great Motown Sounds – by Tony Mastrianni.

For those of you who appreciate classic Motown soul music, the label, in affiliation with international  Elemental Music, released some 29 great all-time classic Motown albums on special 140-gram virgin vinyl LPs. The release campaign began in 2024 and concluded toward the end of calendar year 2025. The LPs were issued incrementally, released in installments every few months throughout the campaign, which was driven by REYBEE Inc. (one of the most prestigious music public relations firms on the East Coast).

These essential soul albums of the 60’s and 70’s were among Motown’s and affiliated label, Tamla’s greatest early treasured releases.  The project has dazzled collectors with some of the greatest soul music of all time. Many were issued in stereo, though some in unadulterated monaural; some were color vinyl variants. The ability to acquire original pressings of these very reissues was not an easy come-by.  If you are a discerning collector, seeking these original pressings in near-perfect condition, you must be aware that you will likely pay a hefty price to obtain them.  However, Elemental Music has made it easy and possible for you to acquire a fresh vinyl LP of these original pressings with each release in the series.  It is important to understand that Elemental has not reproduced these vinyl records with an audiophile mentality in mind, what they have done is to make it possible for collectors to obtain the absolute best reimagined copies of these original pressings: First and foremost, the label has not reproduced these vinyl records with heavy weight audiophile variants as part of their mission. As opposed to modern 180-gram weight modern pressings, they have resolved to not stray away from the original 140-gram standard weight pressings on which these classic releases were originally manufactured. As well, the label was not looking to change or reimagine the visual aspects beyond what the originals were presented with. These are straight ahead, virtually carbon copy reissues by way of mimicry, both visually and physically, all from the original master tapes with original cover and back cover artwork, and (most of the time) the original side label layouts. Imagine going back to the classic era of Soul, and acquiring one of these original pressings.

This series of albums saw the launching of many of the classic Motown releases into the retail music market until it had fulfilled its 29-title commitment.

Let us take a closer look at a few that were reissued during this campaign:

THE SUPREMES ‘MORE HITS BY THE SUPREMES’

. It is an original Motown release which contains the number four and five hits in a row, “Stop! In The Name Of Love,” and “Back In My Arms Again,” respectively. It has “Nothing But Heartaches” as well, which is the tune that charted at number eleven on “Billboard” ending the number one streak at five. Interesting to note is that this 1965 album demonstrates the famous three-woman singers’ showcase of sound. They competed head-to-head with the Beatles for the number One slot with two different songs. All these songs on the LP were written by Holland-Dozier-Holland. The two number Ones are “Stop! In The Name of Love” and “Back In My Arms Again. (Also available in this series is The Supremes WE REMEMBER SAM COOKE and A BIT OF LIVERPOOL (mono edition).  Also reissued were I HEAR A SYMPHONY (green vinyl); and LOVE CHILD.

SMOKEY ROBINSON &THE MIRACLES ‘MAKE IT HAPPEN’ (mono)

This album found international success in 1967. It had two different lives!  First issued as ‘Make It Happen,” and then issued as ‘Tears Of A Clown’. This was just one of several hits; however, the track “Tears…” hit number one in England as well as the U.S. The version on this second release features an alternate lead vocal track by Smokey.  The track was co-written by Robinson and Stevie Wonder. Here it is in blue vinyl and a gatefold cover sleeve!

TEMPATIONS ‘PSYCHEDELIC SHACK’

Motown decided to cash in on the psychedelic trend. While it does not challenge the psych-movement in late ’60s music, it does touch upon social awareness and politics. This song and a few others did well on the charts—going to No.7 on Billboard, and Motown had joined the contemporary era! Also featured is a strong take of the Edwin Starr hit “War.”  Starr received acclaim for doing a remake of this hit a couple of years later.  This LP also features the original front and back cover artwork.  It was the last album Eddie Kendricks did with this classic soul group before embarking on a solo career. Also check out the other remastered albums by the Temptations: MEET THE TEMPTATIONS, CLOUD NINE ,  SOLID ROCK, and  SKY’S THE LIMIT.

FOUR TOPS (self-titled)  MONO.

You cannot say Motown without mentioning THE FOUR TOPS.  This was their debut 1965 LP, spawning the new Motor City Soul Sound.  It includes the smash hits “Ask The Lonely” and, “Baby I Need Your Loving.” A solid first step in perhaps the most formidable Motown four-singer band of all. The original MONO sound is captured flawlessly and spawned the career of this quartet. Who can forget the sublime baritone vocals of Levi Stubbs and company.  Also, check out the group’s other reissued album in this series, STILL WATERS RUNS DEEP.

While all albums in this reissue campaign merit mention, let us present a few more that were reissued as 140-gram LPs.  These include:

–MARVIN GAYE’S IN THE GROOVE; and WHEN I’M ALONE I CRY  (mono)

THE JACKSON FIVE GET IT TOGETHER (red vinyl & die-cut cover); and THIRD ALBUM (red vinyl)

EDDIE KENDRICKS PEOPLE HOLD ON…

GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS  NEITHER OF US WANTS BE THE ONE  TO SAY GOODBYE

THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH (self-titled)

While some might consider these releases to be novel, let me emphasize that this limited-edition series is selling out fast and some titles are already fetching handsome prices on the secondary collectors’ market.

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On a personal note, A short time ago, I was in Orlando, Florida, and stopped in the MOTOWN CAFÉ for lunch.  The DJ was spinning Motown classics. Then they had a contest. He asked, “Can anyone identify the following song?” and then played the psychedelic sounds of a whammy-bar-gritty guitar, supplemented by bass and drums. The audience was silent.  I then offered: “That’s RARE EARTH.”  It was side B of the Rare Earth GET READY self-titled debut album on MOTOWN, which came in in the early 70’s in the form of a lengthy psychedelic-infused version of their 1970 debut major radio single “Get Ready” improvised to account for the entire B-side. The DJ  then asked if I had any special requests, to which I quipped, “Play some Rick James.” He did. I listened to early Motown tunes, got some psychedelia, a soulful meal,  and still managed to hear some  Ricky J. !  What else can one ask for?  ** ADDITIONAL NOTE: As far as post-funk Rick James, in 1997, a couple of years before his untimely death, he issued a terrific album for Mercury Records, URBAN RAPSODY. This superb artifact  integrated classic funk with the sweet soul and contemporary “urban” sounds, with cameos from Rappin’ 4-Tay and Snoop Dogg (still at the top of  their game.) This one is in my personal collection, and is a must-hear if you can find a copy!

Till Next Time….