Rita Wright Years: Rare Motown 1967-1970

Kent Records is really making a name for itself remastering and packaging many obscurities from the vast vaults of a Motown Records. This collection shines a much appreciated light on Syreeta "Rita" Wright in the earliest phase of her much respected recording career. Wright passed from cancer in the early 2000's and is probably best known for her lovely #1 duet with Billy Preston - "With You I'm Born Again". Although perhaps perceived as a one hit wonder, she actually has a deep and sophisticated catalog. Wright is also well credited for co-writing a number of historic hits with her ex-husband Stevie Wonder. 'The Rita Wright Years' brings into view her early singles, demos and unreleased recordings from the end of the 60s when Motown was trying to figure out how make a hit on her. Possessing a strong set of pipes that are close in timbre to Diana Ross but equipped with more range and soulful feeling, it proved difficult finding a formula that could connect with the public. Syreeta could handle a wide breadth of material and worked with the best Motown had on offer, including Stevie Wonder, Holland Dozier Holland, Frank Wilson, Marvin Gaye, etc. - yet nothing really clicked at the time. As was a common practice at Motown, many of the tracks she was first to cut were recycled and given to other Motown artists, occasionally becoming hits, particularly for Ms. Ross. The collection as a whole is well curated and a pleasure to listen to - they're really no fillers. While much of the material would be considered b-reel material ( album cuts, b-sides, etc.), Syreeta's vocal performance really elevates the material with which she is given, the musical accompaniment is top notch and very representative of the late 60s Motown sound. I am so glad to be able to listen to these sides - kudos to Kent Records.

There is a reason 22 of the 24 tracks here weren't released at the time of recording and that is because they're crap. 'love my lovin' man has everything from a busted stove to broken windows, etc., she has everything but the dogs chasing her uphill through the snow. This is one of the ten worst songs recorded ever at Motown. Most of these songs revolve around her dying if she doesn't have a man or if the man she wants is taken then she'll take him away from another woman. 'beware of a stranger' is nothing more or less than about her stalking a man. 'save the country' is one of the most overrated songs of all time. Is there anything good to say? Syreeta was a talented singer, producer and writer but she never got the stardom she was due. There are only three or four songs worth listing to a second time. This is for Motown compleatests, but we're really scraping the bottom of the barrel here.

Another excellent CD featuring rare Motown from the wonderful ACE/KENT organization in London. Because of their efforts we are finally getting to hear a lot of unreleased excellent music that was never released by the great Motown Records of Detroit, Michigan. There are some really great songs in it that you would have never heard if this CD was never released. Thanks to ACE/KENT for their herculean efforts.

This singer was an understated treasure of Motown. I love her soulful voice and great Motown songs.

My Motown CDs , just keep on growing thanks so much.

Beautiful Voice that was underrated.. but breathtaking today

Good product and price.

Lovely lady creates soulful melody

What a voice! A very underrated soul singer and songwriter who although enjoying a modest success in the 1970s with songs like "With You I'm Born Again" with Billy Preston in 1979 and the Stevie Wonder/Syreeta penned hits "He's Gone", "Spinnin and Spinning" and "You're Kiss (Is Sweet as Candy") which were a retro-reflection on the Brill Building/Tin Pan Alley girl group songs of the early to mid 1960s, is largely forgotten today except among Motown fans. A delicate voice and sweet interpretation, Syreeta (Rita Wright's) recordings of the late 1960s and 1970 are a reminder of a promising talent lost. Who knows how things would have panned out if she and not Jean Terrell had been chosen to replace the lead singer of the Supremes after Diana Ross's departure in 1970? Today the singer, who had a premature death in 2004, is being rediscovered again as her output is released on CD with the two solo albums produced in the 1970s by Stevie Wonder "Syreeta" and "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta" considered classics by Motown fans and her enduring base of followers.

Excellent. Syreeta should've been a top tier star. IHer version of Love Child hints at what could've been if only she HAD replaced Diana Ross when she left the Supremes a whole different career would've developed. Amazing that such quality recordings were never released. Highly recommend this collection

An excellent set of sixties motown. Rita Wright was certainly an overlooked talent and this collection highlights this. A must for all Motown fans. The only song that disappointed was 'I can't give back...' which was not the haunting version I have on my mono Motown Memories LP.

this is brilliant!

Great stuff, love her voice.