Valerie Simpson - The Collection (CD release)

Motown owes much to Valerie Simpson. In the late 60s, she and husband Nickolas Ashford penned "Aint No Mountain High Enough" and other glorious classics that turned Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell into pops most beautiful double act. They went on to achieve greater distinction for a series of excellent compositions, often in partnership with "Joshie" Jo Armstead. Among the many artists to record the teams songs were Ray Charles, Maxine Brown and Chuck Jackson and the solo Diana Ross. So this raft of Simpsons own recordings - combining her 1971 debut album on Tamla, Exposed, with 1972s follow-up, Valerie Simpson - makes for fascinating, uplifting listening. Gospel-infused soul prevails, especially on the opener, "I Dont Need No Help". Its a cappella intro sounds like a cry of freedom from the 25-year-old, already pigeonholed by Motown solely as a writer. Sweet melodies, tender lyrics and a beautiful climax sign this as one of the albums eighteen Ashford and Simpson compositions. The two went on to cast the 1984 floor-filler "Solid", and that tracks slick sound is foretold in The Collections shimmering production. Simpsons voice isnt up there with say Aretha or Brenda but its still authentically musical and demands to be heard. For the Bronx-born singer, love conquers all: on slowies like "Back To Nowhere" and "World Without Sunlight", Simpson adores her man. On "There Is A God" and others, she lauds the Lord. Ballads and mid-tempo arrangements are order of the day, but there are also uptempo tracks. "Sinner Man "is a Tamla tornado of sitars, trumpets, bongos and guitars. A cover of "We Can Work It Out" has a slow-blues opening, a trippy mid-section and a brass-fuelled finale. "Drink The Wine" is an irresistible force, evoking primetime Gladys Knight and The Pips. Motowns house band, the Funk Brothers, provides a perfect pulse here and throughout. ------------------------------------ Valerie Simpsons "The Collection" on Universal is out now in the US (available on Import through www.amazon.com)