An album assuming the name ‘More Hits’ is likely a greatest hits compilation, right? Think again, because in 1965 Motown Records and The Supremes gave the ladies’ sixth studio the moniker.
Bold, one may think anyone naming a studio album of new songs ‘More Hits’ takes a level of arrogance. However, in the case of The Supremes and their track record to that point in time, it was almost a foregone conclusion there were bound to be more hits. To put matters in perspective, Barney Ales (then an executive vice-president of Motown Records) reported that More Hits by The Supremes had an estimated three hundred thousand advanced orders!
Simply astounding, the album of twelve tracks produced two number-one hits with “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “Back in My Arms Again.” Joined by the beloved Top 20 single “Nothing but Heartaches,” there was still plenty more to discover with More Hits by The Supremes. For starters, the album seems to have a planned sequence; because it leads in with “Ask Any Girl” which was the B-side to “Baby Love” from 1964. Perhaps a happy accident, it works out interestingly as the remainder of More Hits flows from there with more big hits, but lesser-known favorites like “Honey Boy,” the lovely harmonized “The Only Time I’m Happy,” and the irresistible “Who Could Ever Doubt My Love.”
Only the tip of the iceberg, while other songs may have not been released as singles, does not mean they would have failed… in fact they probably could have all been hits within their own right. As memorable as a Beatles album where the non-singles were as beloved as the hits, More Hits was arguably The Supremes at their peak. The group’s fourth album in 1965, and sixth album in roughly sixteen months, it is hard to believe anyone will ever top such prolificness ever again.
Released at the height of the summer on July 23, 1965, More Hits by The Supremes peaked at six on the US Billboard charts and remained on that chart for an unprecedented thirty-seven weeks. Music history that should never be forgotten, now in 2024 Elemental Music is doing its part in preserving it with the newly reissued vinyl of More Hits by The Supremes. Released on August 16th, it marks the fourth Supremes’ reissue from Elemental Music in 2024; which also includes 1965’s The Supremes: We Remember Sam Cooke (released May 10th), 1966’s I Hear a Symphony (released as a green vinyl on July 12th), 1968’s Love Child (released on September 13th), and The Supremes: A Bit of Liverpool (released on October 18th in a mono format).
More Hits by The Supremes is also presented in the mono format from the original master, it is pressed to a classic black color which is a high-quality 140-gram virgin vinyl; which means it is not recycled wax. Sounding magically orchestral, it also includes the original cover which features a nice essay from Scout St. James on the back. All of these factors make this and each Supremes’ Elemental vinyl reissue from 2024 a must-purchase addition to any music fan’s collection. That is why Cryptic Rock gives the new vinyl edition of More Hits by The Supremes 5 out of 5 stars.
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