An Intro to Motown Albums [Audio Resources]

This page contains selected albums by notable artists signed to Motown Records during its 1960s-70s era of musical influence, and briefly covers the range of musical genres the label would touch throughout its history (from the doo-wop-influenced "Motown Sound" to funk, soul, and R&B).

1960's

Where Did Our Love Go / I Hear A Symphony - The Supremes, 1964/1966. This item is the second and eighth albums by Diana Ross and the Supremes combined as a single physical release. Where Did Our Love Go contains several of the group's first #1 singles such as Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, and Come See About Me. (Michigan Electronic Library)

Going to a Go-Go - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, 1965. This project is the first full-length album credited to "Smokey Robinson and the Miracles," and the eighth album by The Miracles overall. It includes four of The Miracles' Top 20 hits: "Ooo Baby Baby", "The Tracks of My Tears", "Going to a Go-Go", and "My Girl Has Gone." (Michigan Electronic Library)

The Temptations Sing Smokey - The Temptations, 1965. While this album was released by The Temptations, it was completely written by Smokey Robinson and other members of the Miracles. It includes the band's #1 hit single "My Girl," which peaked #1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts that year. (U-M login required).

The Best of the Funk Brothers - The Funk Brothers, Compilation. This album is a compilation of instrumentals performed by The Funk Brothers. The Funk Brothers were the Motown Records house band that performed on most major Motown singles from the label's founding through the early 1970s, including "Please Mr. Postman," "My Guy," and "Where Did Our Love Go." The name "Funk Brothers" was broadly used at Motown to describe any instrumentalist who participated on a Motown release. Many of these performers were anonymous and uncredited on their featured songs. Most of the established "Funk Brothers" stopped working for Motown after the label moved from to Los Angeles, CA in 1972. (Michigan Electronic Library)

1970's

Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 / ABC - The Jackson 5, 1969/1970. This item is the first and second records released by the Jackson 5 combined as a single physical release. The Jackson 5, led by a young Michael Jackson, were one of the biggest Motown Records acts in the early part of the 1970s. "Diana Ross Presents..." was recorded in Detroit, MI, while "ABC" was one of the earliest Motown albums recorded in their new Los Angeles studio. (Michigan Electronic Library)

What's Going On - Marvin Gaye, 1971. This album is considered a landmark moment in the development of popular soul and R&B, and was a massive commercial success. This album was one of many 1970s Motown releases that stepped away from Berry Gordy Jr.'s strictly curated "Motown Sound," opting to lean entirely into soul and R&B. (Michigan Electronic Library)

Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder, 1976. This double LP is the eighteenth album by long-running Motown artist Stevie Wonder. Another 1970s Motown release that leaned fully into soul, funk, and R&B, this album was Wonder's greatest commercial success and is considered a landmark album in its respective genres. (Michigan Electronic Library)