VA - Motown Year By Year: The Sound Of Young America, 1964 (1995)

Review by Jason Ankeny
With the British Invasion in full swing by 1964, Motown responded with one of the most consistent and creative years in the label's history, entering a period of sustained brilliance which continued well into the next decade. This 16-track collection captures the Motown Sound in its ascendancy, nicely juxtaposing familiar favorites like Martha & the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street," Mary Wells' "My Guy," the Four Tops' "Baby I Need Your Loving" and the Supremes' "Where Did Our Love Go" alongside lesser-known gems from Marvin Gaye ("You're a Wonderful One"), the Spinners ("Sweet Thing") and Eddie Holland ("Leaving Here"). The inclusion of a pair of relative rarities -- Liz Lands' "Midnight Johnny" and the Serenaders' "If Your Heart Says Yes" -- makes the set worthwhile for longtime Motown collectors as well.