Before shelling out for this, check out Joined Together: The Complete Studio Duets, which contains everything here, remastered, plus a second album and bonus tracks

Together (1969) is a little different to Diana Ross and the Supremes Join The Temptations (1968) steering into a more raw and earthy soul sound in contrast to the more sensual first set. Together doesn't quite have the immediacy of the previous album but still carries some engaging recordings. Only trouble is it lacks origanal material which was the case with most studio albums by other Motown artists in the 1960's.

Together opens with a striking version of Marvin Gaye's Stubborn Kind Of Fellow where Diana neatly surfboards along the gloriously assembled musical arrangements whilst Dennis Edwards again shows off his truly dynamic and rocketing vocal power. More mellow in it's tone is another cover of a Marvin Gaye classic, I'll Be Doggone where the vocal performances all-round are more subtle and laid back.

One of the ultimate highlights of the album is the sensational, The Weight where Diana Ross in particular conveys such passion and showcases her undoubted versatility. The compelling mixture of raw, earthy soul intertwined with a Country twinge makes for a startling combination. The Weight was lifted as a single in the U.S where it merley dented the Top 50 though deserved a much higher chart position.

Their version of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrells, Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing surprisingly surpasses the quality of the origanal and had it not already been made famous by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, would have made an ideal choice for a release as a single.

Apart from the hideously out-of-tune guirtar riffage at the opening of their version of Stevie Wonders, Uptight (Everythings Alright) the song does lead into a compelling and funky little affair but falling more on the bland side was their odd, disjointed version of Mary Well's My Guy and an updating of My Girl which is combined into an uneffective medley. To be fair, Diana Ross truly ignites My Guy but The Temptations My Girl on this album pales in comparison to their magnificent chart-topping origanal.

Another highlight of the album is an exciting re-working of Sing A Simple Song where each groups harmonies blend fabulously well together and makes for a rocketing combination across the raw musical arrangements which contains vast undertones of red hot and compelling funk.

Returning more to that familiar Motown sound was on an enjoyable version of For Better Or Worse where the emphasis is solely on Diana Ross' voice which she carries off beautifully where as Mary Wilson takes spotlight on a bland reading of Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Mary Wilson recorded the track as a solo and then the rest of the groups harmonies were added across the multi layered musical arrangements. If anything it's quite surprising that Mary Wilson was actually granted a solo spot considering that Berry Gordy hammered across to the public that Diana Ross was the star of the group. Mary Wilson does have something of a somewhat soft, pleasant-sounding soprano but it's clear why Diana Ross became the lead singer of The Supremes as she easily had the most diverse and distinct vocal style that really was in a class of it's own.

The album is then led to it's grand final with a stirring, soulful ballad, Why (Must We Fall In Love) which contains rocketing vocals from each singer involved though is mainly alternated between Diana Ross and Eddie Kendricks. Dramatic in it's content and exalting and compelling musically, Why (Must We Fall In Love) had monster classic written all over it but was only released as a single in the U.K in early 1970 to fill in time before Diana Ross made her grand solo debut and therefore was only a lukewarm seller, stalling within the Top 40 charts. Still, it ends the album on a triumphant note and is the ultimate highlight of the Together set.

Together didn't match the commercial or critical success of Diana Ross And The Supremes Join The Temptations but is still worthwhile with some fantastic tracks included!