The Four Tops – Four Tops Story 1964–72 (Vinyl 2-LP)

This is a comprehensive double-LP anthology from the legendary Motown vocal group The Four Tops (Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, and Lawrence Payton), covering their classic 1964–1972 era on Motown/Tamla. Released in 1973, it compiles many of their biggest hits, deep cuts, and key album tracks, showcasing their signature powerful harmonies, dramatic ballads, and upbeat soul anthems produced primarily by Holland-Dozier-Holland, with later contributions from other Motown writers and producers.

The front cover features a bold, patriotic pop-art collage: four vibrant, colorized portraits of the group members set against overlapping American flags, stars, and circular motifs in red, white, blue, yellow, and green. The title “Four Tops Story 1964–72” appears in large white block lettering at the bottom, with the Tamla Motown logo in the corner.

The back cover shows a moody, atmospheric black-and-white photograph of the four Tops standing together outside an iron fence in an urban setting (possibly Detroit or New York), looking directly at the camera in coordinated casual attire. It lists the extensive tracklist (typically 20–24 tracks across four sides), with song titles, original release dates, producers, and publishers. Examples from the sleeve include:

•  Side 1 — Baby I Need Your Loving, Reach Out I’ll Be There, I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), It’s the Same Old Song, Something About You

•  Side 2 — Ask the Lonely, Standing in the Shadows of Love, Bernadette, Seven Rooms of Gloom, I’ll Turn to Stone

•  Side 3 — Yesterday’s Dreams, I’m in a Different World, What Is a Man, River Deep – Mountain High (with The Supremes), Still Water (Love)

•  Side 4 — Simple Game, MacArthur Park, I (Who Have Nothing), Keeper of the Castle, Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got), etc. (exact sequence varies slightly by pressing, but focuses on 1964–1972 Motown hits)

This UK EMI/Tamla Motown 2-LP set (catalogue TMSP 1124 / OC 192 o 94636-7) is a gatefold pressing with laminated sleeves, including detailed credits, production notes, and photography acknowledgments (cover design by Atelier Kochlowski, Cologne; Motown photography). The vinyl is housed in plain or company inners, with the outer sleeve showing typical 1970s wear (surface scratches, edge fraying, ring wear, corner rubs), but the striking artwork remains iconic and collectible.

A definitive retrospective of one of Motown’s greatest vocal groups — essential for fans of classic soul, Holland-Dozier-Holland productions, or vintage Motown compilations.

The vinyl (2-LP set) is housed in its original gatefold laminated picture sleeve, with full track listings, credits, original release dates, and photography printed across the interior and reverse. Please expect some wear, tear and marks to the sleeve.