Quote Originally Posted by WaitingWatchingLookingForAChance View Post
For sure, I'd say between you and jbpintus, the reasons for this oddity can be found. I know its been said that stereo mixes were afterthoughts, but I find them fascinating all the same. Maybe it's from a musician's point of view. I love being able to pick out the instruments and hear what everyone's doing. Motown's stereo mixes were at least a bit fuller sounding than other record companies where they'd pan all the vocals to one side and all the instruments to the other side.
You're right about that. For example, I have stereo albums on Stax where the vocals were mixed to one channel and the instruments to the other. And like you, I do like a good stereo mix where you can pick out instruments.