Best Motown Gifts For Christmas
As Motown celebrates its 60th anniversary, the best Motown Christmas gifts come in many forms, from “lost” albums to collectible box sets and rare reissues.
Sixty years after Berry Gordy founded the label, Motown remains one of the most successful, innovative and influential companies of all time. More than just a record label, it was a global ambassador for black culture, glamour and timeless pop music. As Motown celebrates a milestone anniversary, this gift guide will help you choose the perfect Christmas presents for the Motown fans in your life.
Various artists: Motown: The Complete No.1s box set
Take home the house that Berry built: this collectible replica of the original “Hitsville USA” building gathers all of Motown’s biggest hits in an 11CD package.
Marvin Gaye: You’re The Man
Marvin Gaye’s “lost” album, You’re The Man, sounds even more relevant today than it did when it was recorded in 1972, inviting a new generation of listeners to connect with Gaye’s timeless sound.
Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On Live
While recording the songs that make up You’re The Man, Gaye staged a homecoming concert in Washington, DC, that featured the only full performance of his game-changing 1971 album. Newly mixed and mastered, it now receives an expanded vinyl release.
Various artists: Hitsville: The Making Of Motown (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Coinciding with label’s 60th anniversary, the Hitsville: The Making Of Motown documentary tells the Motown story from its birth, in 1958, to its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 70s. The accompanying soundtrack features all the iconic artists who made Motown one of greatest record labels of all time.
Various artists: Motown In Mono
A Motown collector’s dream, five classic Motown titles have been remastered in mono, recapturing the original sound everyone grew up on. The Miracles’ The Fabulous Miracles, The Marvelettes’ Sophisticated Soul, The Temptations’ The Temptations Sing Smokey, Four Tops’ Reach Out and Diana Ross And The Supremes’ Reflections can be bought as a set or individually.
Diana Ross: Wonderful Christmastime vinyl
Diana Ross’ beloved 1994 holiday collection, featuring a mix of seasonal standards (‘White Christmas’) and a cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Overjoyed’, heads back to vinyl in the shape of a 20-track, 2LP deluxe package. Hear Ms Ross’ crystalline soprano backed by a full symphony orchestra.
Mary Wilson: Supreme Glamour
Motown’s most fashionable – and candid – star, Mary Wilson, continues to share revealing insights about her time with The Supremes. Part memoir and part coffee-table tome, Supreme Glamour tells “the inside story of the original pop fashionistas”, with stunning photos to back that claim.
Jackson 5: Greatest Hits (Quadrophonic Mix) vinyl
Jackson 5’s first celebrated singles collection is now available on limited edition vinyl in its rare, sought-after quadrophonic mix. It features 11 of the group’s phenomenal string of singles, including ‘I Want You Back’ and ‘I’ll Be There’.
The Temptations: Christmas Card vinyl
The Temptations may have been at the cutting-edge of psychedelic soul music at the start of the 70s, but Christmas Card proved they still know how to respect tradition, as this collection of holiday classics makes abundantly clear.
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
As the most infectiously rhythmic of chart-topping groups under the Motown banner, The Temptations’ music (and lives) provides fertile material for the Tony Award-winning Broadway show. With stunning vocal arrangements, the cast recording captures the original magic of the group.
Various artists: “The Motown Sound” T-shirts
Motown’s 60th festivities also means new swag, with the official Motown store launching a T-shirt that pays tribute to “The Motown Sound”.
See the rest of our 2019 exclusive gift guides.
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