Elemental Music’s affordable reissue series brings classic Motown albums from the late 1960s and early 1970s back to record stores worldwide, targeting listeners who want clean, newly pressed vinyl rather than increasingly scarce original editions. These releases are not positioned as audiophile restorations or collector replacements, but as faithful, good-quality recreations with well-produced jackets and quiet vinyl. For listeners who value accessibility, consistency, and presentation over hunting down expensive originals in comparable condition, Elemental’s Motown reissues fill a very real gap in today’s vinyl market.
Elemental’s Motown reissues are sourced from 1980s-era 16-bit/44.1 kHz digital transfers, which many Motown enthusiasts and mastering engineers regard as among the best surviving representations of these recordings, given that a number of original master tapes have been lost or compromised over time. Each release is packaged with a plastic-lined, audiophile-grade white inner sleeve and includes a faithfully reproduced period-correct Motown company sleeve, complete with vintage catalog artwork showcasing many of the label’s best-known titles from the era.
All of the pressings reviewed were generally quiet and well centered. That said, listeners should approach these reissues with realistic expectations: many of the original Motown recordings were mixed to translate effectively over the bandwidth-limited AM radio of their era. As a result, they can sound leaner and less full-bodied than modern recordings, which is a reflection of period production choices rather than a flaw in the reissues themselves.
The Supremes, Let The Sunshine In
This is a pleasant and often fun collection of songs, and despite its hippie-tinged, brightly colored cover art, it remains a firmly pop-centric Supremes album. Smokey Robinson’s “The Composer” was a Top 30 hit and anchors the set. Let the Sunshine In also pulls in several tracks from an earlier incarnation of the group, most notably “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” and “Let the Music Play,” both reportedly recorded in 1966—which gives the album a slightly uneven feel from a continuity standpoint. That said, it’s hardly a misstep; Let the Sunshine In is an enjoyable listen, even if its status as an essential Supremes title ultimately depends on how deep you want to go into the catalog.
Where to buy: $29.98 at Amazon
The Four Tops, Changing Times
Far more successful overall, Changing Times by The Four Tops is a genuine surprise from start to finish—a thoughtfully assembled album that carries the group’s classic 1960s sound into the then-new decade of the 1970s. The record leans into emerging “concept album” ideas of the period, incorporating sound effects and topical themes without losing its pop-soul footing. Highlights include the title track “In These Changing Times,” which is reprised at the close of Side Two as part of a cover of The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road,” reinforcing the album’s loose conceptual framing. Even the group’s take on B.J. Thomas’ “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” fits naturally here, working far better than expected within the album’s broader context.
Where to buy: $29.98 at Amazon
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
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