Think of the classic Motown Sound and what probably comes to mind is the insistent, up-tempo approach that dominates the label's output from
Smokey Robinson's "Shop Around" to
Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke." In hindsight, very few ballads achieved the same universal renown, which vaults
Late Night Motown into the rarefied air of compilations that actually offer new perspective and insight into the Sound of Young America. Spotlighting the mellow, more subdued dimension of Motown's heyday, the disc illuminates the blues and jazz underpinnings lurking below the company's era-defining sound. The songs, though largely unfamiliar to the average listener, nevertheless represent a potent reminder of Motown's musical roots, and offer a chance to hear the label's extraordinary vocal talent in a setting that places the focus squarely on their brilliance. Highlights include
Marvin Gaye's "Why Did I Choose You,"
the Temptations' "What Love Has Joined Together," and
Brenda Holloway's "Hurt a Little Every Day."