Search - Diana Ross & Supremes :: The Best of Diana Ross & The Supremes - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection

5 stars for content, 2 for execution

Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 05/24/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For years now, Universal has been cranking out basic, mid-priced compilation CD's of artists in their huge catalog of labels. In many cases, these CD's have been welcomed as they have provided overview collections for some artists that have not been collected before or are an improvement, sonically and/or content-wise, over existing product. However, with the myriad of CD's available for supergroups such as the Supremes, there really is no need for this collection but here it is anyway. If by some chance a music fan does not already own a Supremes collection, this would be a decent sampling but unfortunately, the sound quality here leaves a lot to be desired. So while it's hard to dispute getting all number one tunes with one number two side, this CD falls on its face when it comes to how it performs. Much of the early Motown stuff is muddy-sounding and when mastered for lp the high end was pumped up to compensate for the warming effect of going to vinyl. However, use these masters for CD and without the smoothing out effect of vinyl, these sound terribly shrill and harsh. Two of the tracks here, "Baby Love" and "Come See About Me" are particularly difficult to listen to for this reason. Since stereo versions are available on other Supremes' CD's there is little reason to purchase this only to get sound that is inferior to that which can be obtained elsewhere. With their monumental charting success, a second Millennium collection volume was necessary to merely skim off the Supreme's biggest hits and that companion volume to this one is a bit better technically. Nonetheless, neither of these collections offer anything new and are actually a step down. Better Supremes collections are easily found elsewhere and are preferable to these Millennium pieces."

Disappointed

johnny_belinda | 01/16/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"My first Supremes collection purchase on CD. It lacks the warm, full richness I've associated with vinyl.
Deep bass and sharp handclaps but the midrange isn't there.
Is it a bad mixing job or have I just become used to what I hear on the radio?
Compare the snare drum on Phil Collins version of You Can't Hurry Love to the snare drum on this mix.
I know, this isn't about drums but it's difficult to express audio impressions with written words.
I feel the reproduction quality (remix?) of this collection is substandard.
I'm looking for an enjoyable Supremes collection and this isn't it."