By May 1964, when The Sound of the R & B Hits compilation came out in the UK on Stateside, Motown had yet to have a hit or even a record issued on its own label, later to be Tamla-Motown. This LP was the first of many UK anthologies of recordings from the Detroit-based group of labels. At this stage, Motown was an underground affair, known only to aficionados of rhythm and blues music. Among those were members of groups such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames and super-fan Dusty Springfield. This was not music that was played on the radio, so it was through UK cover versions that many young people were directed to the Motown sound. Ace director Roger Armstrong bought The Sound of the R & B Hits at the time and always heard it is as a companion piece to With The Beatles from the previous year. They both contained the Barrett Strong song Money. For this CD release a further 14 tracks have been added to the original selection, including the ever-popular You've Really Got A Hold On Me, Please Mr Postman and Heatwave. Also made available are the rarely compiled and obscure 45s by two of only a few white groups on the label, Mike & the Modifiers and the Valadiers, which on Oriole will set you back at least £1,000 between them. Co-compiled and annotated by well-known radio producer, writer and annotator of Beatles box sets, Kevin Howlett, the CD provides a real insight into Motown in the UK at the time.

1. Mary Wells Shop Around
2. The Marvelettes Way Over There
3. The Miracles Everybody's Gotta Pay Some Dues
4. Martha And The Vandellas Mockingbird
5. Mary Wells Bye Bye Baby
6. The Miracles I'll Try Something New
7. The Marvelettes Dream Baby
8. Barrett Strong Money (That's What I Want)
9. The Miracles What's So Good About Goodbye
10.The Supremes Let Me Go The Right Way
11. Mary Wells I Don't Want To Take A Chance
12. The Miracles Broken Hearted
13. The Marvelettes The One Who Really Loves You
14. The Miracles Do You Love Me
15. Marvin Gaye Can I Get A Witness
16. The Marvelettes Please Mr. Postman
17. The Miracles You've Really Got A Hold On Me
18. Mary Wells You Beat Me To The Punch
19 Marvin Gaye Pride And Joy
20. Barrett Strong Oh I Apologize
21. The Valadiers I Found A Girl
22. The Marvelettes I Want A Guy
23. Marvin Gaye Hitch Hike
24. The Miracles I've Been Good To You
25. Mary Wells Two Lovers
26. Mike And The Modifiers I Found Myself A Brand New Baby
27. The Contours Shake Sherry
28. Martha And The Vandellas Heat Wave