The Four Tops Album: “Essential Tops”

This disc lives up to its name with major representation from all of the labels that the Four Tops recorded for from 1963 through 1983. Motown of course is where they recorded the bulk of their hits and that tenure is represented on the first 14 recordings. The leadoff track - 1964's "Baby I Need your Loving" - was the Tops' first collaboration with the songwriting-production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. It established a winning formula: lyrics that entail Levi yearning for or proclaiming his love for a girl he has lost or can't have; pulsating music cut in a (high) key out of Stubbs' regular vocal range, the subsequent strain causing his pleas to sound even more dramatic; background vocals with a full, almost Spectorian resonance, thanks to the addition of Motown's resident session singers, the Andantes.

After a mediocre "Baby I Need Your Loving" soundalike "Without The One You Love" (not included here) stiffed, the Tops rebounded in 1965 with the majestic ballad "Ask The Lonely," their first number one smash "I Can't Help Myself" and "It's The Same Old Song" (and truly the latter was, a melodic retread of "I Can't Help Myself"). They reached their commercial peak in late 1966 to early 1967 with the powerful "Reach Out ("I'll Be There)," "Standing In The Shadows Of Love," and "Bernadette." In late 1967, however, Holland-Dozier-Holland abruptly left Motown in a dispute over financial compensation. This prompted the label to release year-old remakes of "Walk Away Renee" and "If I Were A Carpenter" as follow-up Tops' singles. They are proof that the Tops could make a hit out of practically anything.

In 1968 and 1969, other Motown writer-producers like Ivy Jo Hunter, Johnny Bristol, and Norman Whitfield attempted to fill the void left by Holland-Dozier-Holland's exit. None of their work with the Tops, however, penetrated the pop or r & b top 20 (and none of it is included here). In 1970, Frank Wilson took over as the Tops' producer for the landmark Still Waters concept album. Wilson ditched the Andantes from the background and put more emphasis on the Tops harmonies. As evidenced by the hits "It's All In the Game" and "Still Water (Love)," the Tops had risen to new melodic heights. They were followed by more of Frank Wilson's well-crafted singles like the enclosed "(It's The Way) Nature Planned It."

Unfortunately these 1971-1972 follow-ups received little promotional support from Motown and struggled on the charts. Frustrated, the Tops left the label in late 1972 and signed with ABC subsidiary Dunhill Records. They immediately hit with the urban message song "Keeper Of The Castle," the Shaft in Africa theme "Are You Man Enough," and the multi-format symphonic smash "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)." With the countrified "Sweet Understand Love" and their funkiest recording ever "One Chain Don't Make No Prison," the Tops maintained the high quality, but their final ABC/Dunhill hits in 1976/77(the disco "Catfish," the reggae in molasses "Midnight Flower") were duds.

In 1981 the Tops signed with Casablanca and released two of their strongest albums ever. They are represented by the retro smash "When She Was My Girl" and the wedding staple "I Believe In You And Me" (Levi's performance buries Whitney Houston's hit version). Interspersed between these two gems is "I Just Can't Walk Away" a stirring ballad from their shortlived return to Motown in 1983. The Tops also recorded many lesser hits and great album tracks over the years (most of which can be found on their box set FOUREVER). But if you only want the big hits, this 24 track collection is the best single disc set available.

Wow! These are the original recordings, and they have never sounded better. This generous CD (24 songs) contains the Motown classics you would expect, plus the big hits this magnificent group went on to record over the next ten years for Dunhill, ABC and Casablanca. The post-Motown years yielded 9 more Top Ten R&B hits, and they're all here. This CD does the best job yet of displaying the Four Tops entire career on 1 truly essential disc. Enjoy.

I'm not going to write a biography on these guys but I am going to tell those who do not know much of this group or their music and are looking for a fantastic collection of excellent R&B hits from a group of classic performers this is the album to get! I feel that 'The Four Tops' were definitely not given the recognition that they deserve. It seems like the other Motown artists who were popular during the same time such as the Temptations, Supremes, The Miracles, and Marvin Gaye were given much more attention than the Four Tops were. But let me tell you, if you want to know what pure soul sounds like just listen to the vocals of lead singer, Levi Stubbs, on songs such as 'Baby, I need your loving' or even in their works in the 70's like 'Ain't No Woman (like the one I got)' and you'll be hooked on his voice! His is one of the most strong, soulful and sexy voices of the 60's! One of the things I liked the best about this album is that it is full of songs that you would never hear on the radio and it's a shame because some are hidden gems. This is a CD that has one great song after another. Do yourself a favor and get this CD if you don't have it yet!

This music CD of the Four Tops is essentially one of the best next to those of The Temptations, of course.

The way Levi puts so much of himself into each song is such a delight to hear. When he sings "Ain't No Woman, Like the One I've Got" I can just imagine him singing this song to me. "Still Water (Love), just AWESOME! So many romantic songs on this CD, from "Baby I Need Your Loving" to "I Believe in You and Me." Those OLDIES are definitely GOODIES!

it's a shame that the Four Tops haven't gotten more attention because there songs here are true Gems.they have the kind of Skills that Legends are made of."Still Water" is deep as is the Classic "Reach Out(I'll Be There)" that urgency passion&rush make that a Gem.a Must Have.