Reel Music, Hip-o Select Raid the Motown Vaults

Just a few days’ away from its start, September is already looking to be a great month for Motown enthusiasts. For starters, an August 22 tweet from Hip-o Select’s Twitter feed revealed the latest project in Motown Select’s (busy) pipeline: Tammi Terrell’s Come On and See Me: The Complete Solo Collection. While largely remembered for her classic duets with Marvin Gaye, Terrell was no slouch as a solo artist, and this compilation should go a long way in reminding audiences of that fact. As Tammy Montgomery, she recorded singles with James Brown, and at Motown, the newly-christened Tammi Terrell scored with 1966’s “I Can’t Believe You Love Me” and the track that gives this set its title, “Come On and See Me.” The 2-CD set promises to contain unreleased tracks, and will boast a generous 50 tracks recorded between 1961 and 1969. Based on the timeframe, it is thought that it will include her sides for Scepter/Wand, Try Me and Checker in addition to the Motown tracks which comprise its core. While Terrell may have passed on in 1970 at the tragically young age of 24, Come On and See Me celebrates the rich musical legacy she left behind.

And speaking of unreleased Motown, Reel Music has once again hit the fabled vault for its September 14 release of an unissued album from 1970s gritty funk goddesses The Sisters Love (Gwen Berry, Jeanie Long, Lillie Fort and Vermettya Royster). Coming from a tenure at A&M, The Sisters Love were teamed with some of latter-day Motown’s brightest writers and producers, including Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer, Willie Hutch, Paul Riser and Hal Davis. With Love was scheduled for release on the MoWest label but has remained in the can for nearly over 35 years. Reel Music’s release features all 10 tracks scheduled for that LP, plus five additional songs (two of which are previously unreleased). The three surviving members of The Sisters Love (Berry has passed away) all participated in Reel’s release.

Hit the jump for the track listing and discographical information for The Sisters Love’s With Love, which can be pre-ordered here.  The track listing for Tammi Terrell’s Come On and See Me has not yet been revealed, but we’re eagerly awaiting it!

The Sisters Love: With Love (Reel Music, 2010)

1. Communication
2. Mr. Fix-it Man
3. You’ve Got My Mind
4. Fast Mack
5. Sweet Inspiration
6. Just a Little Misunderstanding
7. I’m Learning to Trust My Man
8. Do What You Gotta Do
9. You’ve Got to Make the Choice
10. Turn On Your Lovelight
11. Giving Up
12. Give Me Your Love
13. My Love is Yours (‘Til the End of Time)
14. I Ain’t That Easy to Lose
15. (I Could Never Make) A Better Man Than You

Tracks 1-10 originally scheduled for MoWest LP MW109L, unreleased
Tracks 2 & 9 also from MoWest single MW5014F, 1972
Tracks 11, 13 & 14 previously unreleased
Tracks 12 & 15 from MoWest single MW5041F, 1973