Although he was one of the early artists who helped Motown become a pop and soul empire during the 1960s,
Marv Johnson made better records while recording for United Artists in the late '50s and early '60s. This is one of several compilations chronicling his cuts prior to the Motown days. Although
Berry Gordy produced a number of these, the ones that clicked weren't as clever, elaborate, or pop-oriented as Motown's finest cuts.
Johnson had a soulful, flexible voice and is among the transitional artists who deserve more attention for their role in Motown's emergence.