Diana Ross - The Motown Anthology (2001)

Up until this release, consumers had a difficult task of finding a definitive compilation highlighting the post-Supremes career of Diana Ross - mainly because there wasn't one. This double-disc set gathers 27 of the diva's finest solo sides, plus an additional 11 tracks that are making their domestic debut. As a retrospective, The Motown Anthology succeeds in gathering all of Ross' major singles. Some are available here in a previously unissued form. Such is the case for "Remember Me," "My Mistake (Was to Love You)," and "Lovin' Livin' & Givin'" - from the Thank God It's Friday soundtrack. Those looking for chart-toppers should note that The Motown Anthology not only delivers rare material, but also all the hits that would render most other collections superfluous. The producers have also hit upon a favorable ratio of hits to rarities. After covering all the bases on the popular and familiar material, the previously unearthed nuggets - which are spread throughout the chronologically organized set - are a treat for both the intense as well as the casual fan. Of particular note is the leadoff track "Time and Love" - a Laura Nyro composition which had been scheduled, and then withdrawn, as Ross' first solo single. The sound is uniformly excellent with the caveat that some of the early recordings on disc one - "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" for example - never were known for their fidelity. Likewise, the sound of mid-to-late '70s tracks such as "Love Hangover" and "The Boss" are marked improvements. Clocking in at over two and a half

DISC 1:
01. Time And Love - 03:58
02. Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand) - 03:06
03. Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Single Version) - 03:31
04. Remember Me (Alternate Vocal Version) - 03:41
05. Reach Out, I'll Be There - 05:35
06. Surrender - 02:45
07. I'm Still Waiting - 03:46
08. DoobeDood 'nDoobe, DoobeDood 'nDoobe, DoobeDood 'nDoo - 04:54
09. Good Morning Heartache - 02:22
10. Touch Me In The Morning - 03:53
11. My Mistake (Was To Love You) (Duet with Marvin Gaye) (Alternate Mix) - 03:00
12. Last Time I Saw Him (Unedited Version) - 03:42
13. Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right (Single Version) - 03:33
14. Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) - 03:24
15. I Thought It Took A Little Time (But Today I Fell In Love) (Single Version) - 03:22
16. Love Hangover - 07:49
17. One Love In My Lifetime (Single Version) - 04:05
18. Gettin' Ready For Love - 02:48
19. Lovin', Livin' And Givin' (Unedited 'TGIF' Mix) - 04:51
20. Home (Motown Version) - 03:42

DISC 2:
01. The Boss - 03:55
02. It's My House - 04:32
03. No One Gets The Prize (12-Inch Mix) - 06:22
04. Upside Down - 04:05
05. I'm Coming Out - 05:23
06. It's My Turn - 03:58
07. Stay With Me - 03:43
08. One More Chance - 04:24
09. Endless Love (Duet with Lionel Richie) - 04:29
10. We Can Never Light That Old Flame Again (Non-LP Single) - 04:21
11. Old Funky Rolls (Non-LP Single) - 03:41
12. If We Hold On Together - 04:11
13. Workin' Overtime (Radio Edit) - 04:21.
14. When You Tell Me That You Love Me - 04:12
15. The Best Years Of My Life - 04:24
16. Take Me Higher - 04:17
17. I Will Survive - 04:48
18. Until We Meet Again (Love To Infinity Remix) (Radio Edit) - 03:43