Mojo - The Music Magazine

As MOJO magazine presents Motown's 100 Greatest Tracks, we bring you a selection of visual gold from the label’s illustrious past…

1. Stevie Wonder - Superstition (Live on Sesame Street)

The funk and thump of Stevie Wonder at his most inspired is captured in all its flare-grooved glory on this 1972 24-carat classic which he famously penned for Jeff Beck.

2. Martha And The Vandellas - Heat Wave

So where does the Vandellas bit come from? What does this word mean? Find out here in this all-revealing, all-swinging clip from Ready! Steady! Go!

3. The Marvelettes - Too Many Fish In The Sea

Hey! It’s “the marvelous Marvelettes” captured here in all their girl-group glory on the Teen Town TV show.

4. Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On/What’s Happening Brother

“There’s a spiritual questioning,” says MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer discussing Marvin Gaye’s lyrical outpouring on What’s Going On in the current issue of MOJO. Here, Gaye adds to that with a near –transcendental version of the track, augmented with What’s Happening Brother.

5. The Four Tops - Baby, I Need Your Loving

Selected by David Axelrod in the current issue of MOJO as his favourite Motown track, Baby, I Need Your Loving retains all its infectious power and sophistication during this performance.

6. The Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone

“There’s so much drama and suspense in the music,” says Gnarls Barkley's Cee-Lo in the new issue of MOJO magazine during his personal re-appraisal of this Tempts conscious-funk classic. Here, the wide collars and finger wagging do little to diminish the track’s emotional pull.

7. Brenda Holloway - Every Little Bit Hurts (1964)

A rarity in the Motown stable, this track was written by Ed Cobb - a songwriter not on the Hitsville team. Nonetheless it remains one of the label’s most enduring tunes having been covered by the Small Faces and The Clash among others. In a rare interview, Ms Holloway reveals the trauma of recording this track in the new issue of MOJO.

8. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Tracks Of My Tears (1970)

“There’s stuff going on in the production you only discover after listening for years,” opines Billy Bragg on the subject of this 1965 Miracles classic. He is, of course, right…

9. Edwin Starr - Twenty Five Miles

Before Edwin Starr declared War he could be heard urging himself to “walk on!” And he did so in a pair of hugely impressive loafers…

10. David Ruffin - My Whole World Ended (1969)

The former Temptations frontman went solo and enjoyed a chequered career, but this debut single augured well. Sadly, it was not to be. Read the tale of Motown’s lost superstar in the current issue of MOJO.

11. The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes

All hail! The white afro! A slice of hippie-funk of the first order with added face paint thrown in for extra guaranteed freak-itude!

12. Gladys Knight And The Pips - Didn’t You Know You Have To Cry Sometime (1969)

One of Ashford And Simpson’s finest tunes is interpreted by one of Motown most underrated stars for what is a spine-tingling performance. Now, check out this track on our MOJO Nuggets CD! Free with every copy of the new issue of MOJO!

Compiled and annotated by: Phil Alexander