Motown Remixedby Anonymous

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May 27, 2005: To say that I was looking forward to "Motown Remixed" is an understatement. Having been a Motown fan since the early 1960s, I was excited to hear the reworkings of classic Motown songs. First off, let me say that if you go to ITunes, the best songs mixed for this project were left off of the CD but are included on ITunes as "Bonus Tracks." These include The Four Tops on "Reach Out I'll Be There," Martha Reeves and the Vandellas' "(Love Is Like a) Heatwave," and Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell on "Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing." Why these were left off in favor of the really bland work that was included on the release is beyond me. Just so one reading this doesn’t think I am a purist who doesn’t believe in tampering with a classic, please understand I have been pleased with past remixes. In the last year alone, ALMIGHTY RECORDS remixed the Supremes "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (an edit version of which was included on the U.S. Version of Diana Ross & the Supremes "#1's) and Diana Ross & the Supremes "Love Child." Both of these remixes are light years superior to the sleep-inducing remix of the girls' "My World Is Empty Without You" that is featured on "Motown Remixed." The U.K. release of "Motown Remixed" is supposed to include the 70s' lineup Supremes "Stoned Love." My expectations have been significantly lowered that I won't expect anything from that track either. The remixes on the U.S. release of "Motown Remixed" do nothing to add to the original luster of these songs, and only detract from them. I found myself expecting something exciting from the remixes of such tracks as Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," but, alas, it was not to be. Most of the tracks don't deliver any punch. I feel as though I am listening to great songs that have been put through the deflavorizing machine. Instead of bringing new sounds and technology to performances -- some of which are now 40 years old -- they sound like they've been given tranquilizers. Some extra vocals have been unearthed for the two Jackson Five offerings. Perhaps Motown will release CD-singles with extra versions of these remixes that might offer some salvation for this project, but I am not holding my breath. Be careful of some of the review on this page. They are reviewing Motown songs and then they call the songs by the wrong title. Clearly not someone familiar with the Motown catalog. Save your money. Don't buy the album. But download the bonus tracks from ITunes. Then go to the Almighty’s website and get the full-length remixes of “Love Child” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.”