Motown releases five new titles in time for Valentine's Day

Motown and love songs: two things that go great together. What better way is there to celebrate Valentine’s Day this week than with a collection of five new titles spotlighting some of pop music’s greatest romantic hits? These releases help mark the 50th anniversary of Berry Gordy’s groundbreaking label which he founded in 1959 as “Hitsville U.S.A.” in his Detroit hometown.

Motown’s historic 50th continues with the release of special Love Songs compilations from the label’s history-making roster, such as Smokey Robinson ( “Cruisin’”), the Jackson 5 (“I’ll Be There”), Gladys Knight & the Pips (“Everybody Needs Love”), the Commodores (“Easy”) and Diana Ross & the Supremes (“Stop! In the Name of Love”), which went on sale nationwide at retail stores on Jan. 27. Along with the beloved, familiar classics, each individual album features rare B-sides, fan favorites and deep album tracks that will be certain to make for the ultimate accompaniment to the most romantic of all holidays.

Five other Love Songs compilations are also available, including individual CDs by Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, the Temptations, Four Tops and an edition featuring a variety of Motown artists.

The Love Songs releases continue the year-long celebration by Universal Music Enterprises of Motown’s historic anniversary. Each of the 3500 Hallmark Gold Crown Stores around the country are featuring display racks of customized, themed greeting cards, a variety of label-related merchandise, a “Love Machine” promo plush toy, and the 10-song compilation CD HEART & SOUL – CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF MOTOWN, available for a limited time exclusively at Gold Crown Stores around the country.

Since starting Tamla Records and the “Motown Records Corporation” on January 12, 1959, with a loan of $800 from his family, the label group of one-time songwriter Berry Gordy continues to be a cultural phenomenon, making its mark not just on the music industry, but on society at large, with a sound that became one of the most significant musical accomplishments and inspirational success stories of the 20th century.

With vision, drive, talent and determination, Berry Gordy was not only a producer and innovative entrepreneur, but also a teacher. Under his leadership, and through the determination and support of the Motown family of artists, he forged new ground for minorities and made the “Motown Sound” a worldwide phenomenon beloved by millions.

Today, Motown is part of the Universal Music Group, with its classic recorded music catalog managed by Universal Music Enterprises.