Motown is known for its joyous, uptown dance music - and rightly so. The label's back pages, however, are also honoured with dozens and dozens of beautiful ballads and sensuous knee tremblers. Many, of course, have become acknowledged standards known and loved my millions. Songs like the Temptations' "Just My Imagination" and Stevie Wonder's "Lately" are 24 carat soul classics, but dig a little deeper into the Motown catalogue and you'll discover a veritable treasure trove of late night balladry. Almost any album from any of the countless artists who've recorded for the Gordy Empire will turn up a soulful and heartfelt tale of a love won or lost.

Many of these beautiful songs remain unknown not only to the casual listener, but also serious collectors. Here we're starting to put the record straight by presenting a magnificent set of lesser-known late night Motown love songs. Some celebrate the joys of finding love and being in love; others talk of the pain of losing love and missing opportunities. All, though, speak directly to each one of us about that most elusive of human emotions and in doing so they define the beauty of real soul music. This special music is presented here in a very rough chronological sequence. It sweeps through Motown's history and, paradoxically shows how the sound and approach has developed, but stayed essentially the same - another Sound Of Young America - the sensual and truly soulful.

1. Temptations: What Love Has Joined Together
2. Four Tops: Where Did You Go
3. Kim Weston: Little More Love
4. Barbara McNair: Steal Away Tonight
5. Billy Eckstine: Ask The Lonely
6. Fantastic Four: To Share Your Love
7. Brenda Holloway: Hurt A Little Everyday
8. Gladys Knight & The Pips: Since I Lost You
9. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell: If This World Were Mine
10. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Baby Baby Don't Cry
11. Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers: Does Your Mama Know About Me
12. Originals: Baby I'm For Real
13. David Ruffin: I Let Love Slip Away
14. Jimmy Ruffin: I Pray You Still Love Me
15. Eddie Kendricks: Never Gonna Leave You
16. Dynamic Superiors: Shoe Shoe Shine
17. Will Downing & Chante Moore: When You Need Me
18. Marvin Gaye: Why Did I Choose You

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