By boynextdoor (65.238.58.108) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 01:46 pm:

Does anyone know where Ian Levin recorded most of the Motorcity stuff? Also, who did he use as backround singers.....were they different ones or pretty much the same singers?

By one who knows (151.199.255.49) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 01:53 pm:

as far as studios are concerned, i believe that the main studio used was hans zimmer's lillie yard in fulham near the lillie langtry pub on old brompton rd on a dda amr24 desk.
the engineer was rob sellers.
i do not have info on the personel used.

By Ron Murphy (68.42.89.162) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 08:25 pm:

a lot of the vocal overdubs were done at United Sound in Detroit. Pat Lewis was in charge of the background vocals. at the one session I attended there were about 12 artists with overdubs going on in the big and small studios. I got a chance to see my favorites The Satintones.

By boynextdoor (65.238.154.126) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 08:34 pm:

Were the main recording artists recorded in England or the US? I'm assuming the backrounds were done in Detroit from the feedback. I'm not familiar with the Satintones. I'm assuming they were a Motown group? I'll have to check them out.

By Ron Murphy (68.42.89.162) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 08:49 pm:

the lead vocals were done in both Detroit and England. there was a couple tours arranged for some of the artists and overdubs were recorded in England while there. all the band tracks were recorded in England on 2 inch 24 track tape format

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 12:31 am:

Can anyone tell me a little more about this cd. GC Cameron, "The Very Best of the Motorcity Recordings" released in 1996, produced by Ian Levine? I am thinking of ordering it.

By boynextdoor (65.238.6.112) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 12:39 am:

Anyone out there aware of the Best of Barbara Randoph CD on Motorcity? I know there's been lots of complaints about the Motorcity stuff, but, I love the ones I have.....Bettye Levette, Frances Nero, Pat Lewis, The Velvelettes, The Supremes (former), Mary Wells, Hattie Littles, The Exciters, The Marvelettes (2 CD'S), Kim Weston, a 2 CD of the Diva's of Motorcity, a 3 CD of various Motorcity stars. Maybe not always the best material, but, there's some jewels out there! Besides, some of these are the last recordings some of these people ever made or ever will make. I find them keepers.

By RD (63.188.33.148) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 07:58 am:

The G. C. Cameron tracks are good because of G. C.'s interesting voice. I especially like his rendition of "Just My Imagination."

BoyNextDoor, if you like those you'll love Sammy Ward's Motorcity CD.

By RD (63.188.33.148) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 08:00 am:

I should have added about the Motorcity recordings. Don't think you're supporting the artists when you buy these CDs cause from what I hear none of them have received a dime in royalties.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 08:27 am:

Sis - I suggest you treat yourself and buy the CD. You can then listen to the production and applaud or scrutinise it. I have 8 of the CD's and as you know, I welcome a fresh approach to music, especially if it raises the profile of artists and those involved. I am no lawyer and not familiar with contracts regarding singing and being paid. What I do know is I am listening to The Satintones/Can't get next to you! It is a very good version and the vocals are superb. I have reservations about synths being used, but I guess at the time these were recorded, they were hip. Also Sherrie Payne and her version of 'Ain't no mountain high enough' - excellent. The female backing are great. I have much respect for Ian Levine. He has gone out and done, rather than let the grass grow under his feet and made his dreams come true, even taking risks in the process. When I bought 'Weak Spot'/Evlyn Thomas, I had no idea he was involved. It is a good record. And another shock when I bought L J Johnson/'your magic put a spell on me' - another good seventies track. Well done Ian!

Sis - treat yourself. Some tracks are great and yes, you cannot beat the original, but just think...this is the power of Detroit affecting the world, with its music. It will always be so, as long as there are people who care deeply about you all over there!

By boynextdoor (65.238.58.120) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 09:46 am:

I had read where people did not get paid or received no royalities for their Motorcity work. That's really a shame. But, on the other hand, if it keeps their name out there.....well, I guess that's a plus in a way. I had never heard of some of these artists before and probably wouldn't have, unless it would have been for these Motorcity recordings. Now, I would support them by buying their music or seeing them in person. I'm only sorry these people didn't get their money. Maybe these recordings are the either you like them or you don't.....no middle ground? They're some of my favorites and I feel fortunte to have them. I wish I could find the Barbara Randolph, Saundra Edwards and the Satintones CD'S. Amazon.com (where I've purchased most of mine), doesn't carry them or they're out of stock.

By Eli (141.152.249.69) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 11:01 am:

Let me put in my two cents and I am not defending anyone by saying this but the way it works is that in order for artists to receive any royalties records have to sell in excess of the amound of money which was incurred in the production and promotion of the records including any and all costs incurred and I doubt very much whether the sales outweighed the costs as they were "specialist" items.

Also, artists rarely get "paid" for the actual sessions.

By Scratcher (65.238.127.166) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 11:11 am:

You're correct Bobby Eli, but in the case of Motorcity as some artists who were victims have chimed in here from time to time have said was that Levine promised them certain amounts. He even gave Mary Wells a bad check. If you check Billy Griffin's website he strongly denounces the recordings because he wasn't paid and tell people not to buy them. It's not just the artists who are complaining it's the producers and others involved too.

By Eli (141.152.249.69) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 11:13 am:

I did not know that.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 11:15 am:

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I have "The Cream of the Crop" Vol 1, I have Best of Motorcity Vol 3 and Vol 4. On Vol 3, GC Cameron sings ""No Need To Explain." I've seen GC Cameron perform live on two occasions with the Spinners, and I really enjoyed him. The crowed loved him with his showmanship similar to P.Wynn. I'm hoping he is allowed to carry that same spirit with the Tempts. I will purchase the GC Cameron MotorCity recordings.

When I'm buying music, I buy it for my enjoyment. I've never thought of royalties. I don't enjoy all artist, nor do I like all of the artist on the Motorcity Recordings, but that doesn't take away from the artist. Someone else may enjoy all of them.

I've only gone on one (1) campaign to promote a recording, and that was the Soundtrack of SITSOM. I may never know whether the Funks get royalties, but at least I know they came out of the closet into the white house, and that the some younger generation will know who they are.

A couple days ago a 9 year old asked us if we had Eddie Kendricks and the Temptations singing "Just My Imagination." When we putthe song on, he took the mic and sang it all the way through. :o)

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 11:27 am:

On Vol 1, the Monitors sing "Standing Still." My question is: Who are the individuals who recorded with Ian as The Monitors?

By Scratcher (65.238.127.166) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 11:34 am:

Ian Levine's Monitors was one of Smokey Robinson's nephews, either Keith or Darrell Littlejohn, and I can't remember the rest off the top of my head, though I believe Herschel Hunter was also a member.