By Nish (216.148.246.134) on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 07:15 am:

Hmmm... I came across this press release on Yahoo!

A huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to the MAN, Mr. HW. How thrilling, and just in time for my birthday. I'm glad I caught this.

Press Release Source: Motown/UME


First U.S. Compilation of the Post-Smokey Miracles, LOVE MACHINE: THE '70S COLLECTION, Features the #1 Title Track, 'Do It Baby,' 'Don't Cha Love It' and Numerous CD Debuts
Wednesday August 6, 10:00 am ET


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- For fans of The Miracles and the music of Motown, a long-hoped-for miracle has arrived with LOVE MACHINE: THE '70S COLLECTION (Motown/UME), released August 19, 2003. The first U.S.-issued "best of" compilation of The Miracles post-Smokey, LOVE MACHINE: THE '70S COLLECTION, co-produced by original member Pete Moore, who also wrote a reminiscence for the package, marks the CD debuts of nine of the set's 18 digitally remastered selections.
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles led Motown's dominance in the '60s. But after their "The Tears Of A Clown" went #1 in 1970, Robinson announced to Miracles Claudette (his wife who had stopped touring but sang in the studio), Moore, Bobby Rogers and Ronnie White that he was going solo. He introduced his replacement, 20-year-old Billy Griffin, on a 1972 farewell tour. Moore assumed leadership, and the group reassumed its pre-1965 billing as The Miracles.

With many of Motown's best writer-producers contributing, 1973's RENAISSANCE, their first album in their new form, is one of the most underrated ballad albums of the decade. Freddie Perren wrote and produced the Top 30 R&B "Don't Let It End ('Til You Let It Begin)." Clay McMurray co-wrote and produced the heartbreaking "Nowhere To Go." Marvin Gaye wrote and produced the classic "I Love You Secretly," here with a newly discovered spoken intro. Leon Ware and Hal Davis collaborated on "What Is A Heart Good For" and Willie Hutch delivered "I Didn't Realize The Show Was Over."

Perren's uptempo jam "Do It Baby" (#4 R&B/#13 pop) spun off from the 1974 album of the same name, which also boasted the Ware-written, Davis-produced "Give Me Just Another Day" and Perren's "Up Again." The latter also helmed January 1975's DON'T CHA LOVE IT, with its #4 R&B title track plus "You Are Love" and "Gonna Tell The World (Wedding Song)."

The Miracles would enjoy their biggest success in 1976 with "Love Machine" (#1 pop/#5 R&B), whose six-month chart run made it their longest-lasting hit with or without Smokey. The dance classic, from the Perren-produced concept album CITY OF ANGELS, was co-written by Griffin and Moore, as were "Night Life" and "Ain't Nobody Straight In L.A." 1976's THE POWER OF MUSIC, with Griffin and Moore as writer-producers, included the title track, "Can I Pretend," on which each Miracle takes a lead, and "You Need A Miracle." Moving to Columbia and adding Griffin's brother Don, they recorded 1977's LOVE CRAZY and its R&B Top 40 "Spy For Brotherhood."

Soon after, Pete Moore came off the road. The group, led by Bobby Rogers, resumed touring a few years later. Ronnie White died in 1995. Rare reunion performances have since transpired -- but not a collection of the best from the Smokey-less Miracles ... until now.

By HW (68.39.190.250) on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 09:32 am:

The release date is actually AUGUST 26. Apologies.

Come visit

http://boards.motown.com

By KevGo (63.164.145.198) on Saturday, August 16, 2003 - 09:31 pm:

Good work, Harry.
I saw Joe Hunter when I was in Detroit. He's looking great and feeling healthy.
I'll be on the road and back in NYC on August 22nd.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By stephanie (68.50.216.139) on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 10:26 pm:

Its about time thanks Harry..
Stephanie