The Supremes - 70's Greatest Hits And Rare Classics (1991)

A rather ragtag greatest-hits collection. The Supremes' changing lineups didn't help give this collection any continuity -- nor did the countless producers. Smokey Robinson and Frank Wilson's productions come off better then the others. Wilson produced "Up the Ladder to the Roof," "Stoned Love," and "Everybody's Got the Right to Love," all led by Jean Terrell's biting soprano. "Floy Joy" and "Automatically Sunshine" are the two Smokey productions. Robinson gave the Supremes a coy, cute sound accented by stamping beats and heavy echo in the backing vocals. The first incarnation of new Supremes were Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, and later Lynda Lawrence. Later, on "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking," and "You're My Driving Wheel," the members were Mary Wilson, Lynda Lawrence, Sherrie Payne, and Susaye Greene. All could sing lead -- a classic example of too many cooks spoiling the soup.