The Motown Collection

In terms of artists that could have gone to any other label and become a bona fide star, few artists had as many "could have been" stories as those who were signed to the mighty Motown machine in the mid-'60s. The label was moving along with the ferocity of a high-powered locomotive, and had very little time to stop and groom so many artists for the spotlight. Such is the case with Tommy Good, a local Detroit singer who was spotted by label owner Berry Gordy playing the local circuit. This collection takes many of his most important singles and puts them together for the first time in one place. The lead-off track "Baby I Miss You" was a hit on the Northern Soul circuit (as were many of Good's subsequent releases), and the quality here is predictably high for Motown during this era. Though the performances are strong, Good's voice is too plain and lacks any sort of distinction; especially when compared to many of the other male vocalists in the Motown stable at the time. All in all not a bad compilation, and a great re-examination for those who might have missed Good the first time around. ~ Rob Theakston|