On Top – THE FOUR TOPS***

I Got A Feeling/Brenda/Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever/Shake Me Wake Me/Until You Love Someone/There’s No Love Left/Matchmaker/Michelle/In The Still Of The Night/Bluesette/Quiet Night Of Quiet Stars/Then

Consistent Motown hit makers The Four Tops third album On Top was their first to chart in the UK. Includes the US top twenty hit single Shake Me Wake Me. (US:32 UK:9)

"Not a great album, but then at this point, none of the Motown albums were really that remarkable. Its good enough because Levi Stubbs could pretty much sing anything and it sounded great. The hits are Shake Me Wake Me and Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever."

"One flaw this decade had was that bands with great singles often had accompanying albums that rarely contained material on the same level. But if that is more or less the case here, it is definitely not for lack of trying."

"While the joyous sweetness of Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever and the absolutely heart-broken Shake Me Wake Me, might be two of The Tops' best ever singles, the rest of the album is surprisingly adventurous. There are flirtations with jazz, such as the eloquent In The Still Of The Night and a cover of The Beatles Michelle. However, the other material isn't really on the same level."

"Despite it's shortcomings, On Top is an enjoyable record, and most of the songs are fairly good although only a few are exceptional."

"On Top was a commendable effort from the group, that showcased their obvious love of supper club standards (Still Of The Night, Quiet Night and Matchmaker)."

"Of the jazzy material only In The Still Of The Night is excellent. Elsewhere Matchmaker feels like a failed attempt at another Mr Sandman, Then is a failed attempt at another Little Green Apples, at least lyrically. The cover of Michelle, while technically sound, lacks flair. The jazzy Bluesette shows them being stretched in terms of vocal ability."