This CD was released in the very earliest days of digital technology. It is long out of print, and has been replaced by better Supremes compilations. All the songs here are terrific (and in stereo). There are a few big hits missing, though, the most notable being the Number One hit "The Happening" (which is admittedly the weakest of their Number One hits). Although there are better Supremes compilations currently available, this CD is worth acquiring, if you can find a cheap used copy of it.

DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES-20 GREATEST HITS: MOTOWN called itself the "Sound of Young America" with good reason...they made soul safe for the masses, rounding off most of the rough edges to get it there. Penned by the famed team of HOLLAND/DOZIER/HOLLAND and backed by MOTOWN's legendary in-house orchestra, WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO, BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN, and YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE were boisterous paeons of the heart that lacked raw urban grooves, polished as brightly as the trio's gleaming smiles for AM radio playlists. It's hard to imagine a more perfectly executed pop single than STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE or a more fitting swan song than SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER (which ironically left FLO BALLARD and MARY WILSON off the recording). After ROSS' inevitable departure for solo pastures, THE SUPREMES soldiered on with replacements, ringing up respectable facsimiles STONED LOVE and UP THE LADDER TO THE ROOF in the process. 20 GREATEST HITS gets it all together under one umbrella, a fitting tribute to the the greatest girl group of 'em all.

RATING: FIVE WIGS