EMANUEL LASKY Lucky to Be Loved By You (Wild Deuce 1003)
Don Davis and his Thelma crew (mainly Motown musicians) recorded this near the end of 1964 or early 1965. Somehow, it didn’t end up being released then on his and Robert Coleman’s Thelma Records, but showed up many
months later, having been leased by Davis to a tiny New York label. For me, it is the absolute best non-Motown ‘reproduction’ of The Motown Sound.
THE PARLIAMENTS That Was My Girl (Golden World 46)
This 1965 release was produced at Ed Wingate’s Golden World Records,
arranged by Motown’s Joe Hunter with Mike Terry’s involvement. But it’s clear to me that the song was originally written in 1964 by Clinton and his crew, with the Temptations in mind, while they were writing songs for Motown at Jobete Music’s New York office. It sounds very like a Motown production. And, I wouldn’t be surprised if the vocal tracks were originally recorded as a demo to send to Motown Detroit that Didn’t get sold to Motown before Berry Gordy suddenly shut down Jobete Music’s New York office.
TOBI LARK Happiness Is Here (Topper 1011)
This 1965 release was produced by ex-Motown musician, Dave Hamilton. It also was recorded using many Motown musicians, plus the best regular non-Motowners used by Golden World, Solid Hitbound and the other major Detroit labels. Interesting that Hamilton got his Chalfontes’ productions placed with major Mercury Records for national release, while his Tobi Lark recordings, which I consider much better, were released only locally, on his own, Topper label.
JIMMY MACK My World Is On Fire (Palmer 5019)
This 1966 recording was produced by Motowner Mike Valvano (while “moonlighting”, legally). It’s also a great approximation of The Motown Sound. Another gem arranged by Mike Terry.
THE ROYAL RAVENS Grand Spanish Lady (MAH’s 0015)
This early ’60s release was produced by veteran R&B/soul producer, Mike Hanks. It is a pure fast doo-wop sound straight out of 1957, which is why it didn’t sell in 1963, and is an extremely rare record. But, I consider it one of the very best songs ever recorded in Detroit.