From the 1976 Album I Want You a classic song from a classic album in the lexicon of GFM.

“Love Hangover” by Diana Ross was released in 1976 as a single AFTER the group The 5th Dimension covered the song. Both versions entered the charts on the same day. Diana’s version went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Soul Singles and Hot Dance Club Play charts and won a Grammy. The 5th Dimension’s version peaked at number 80. To quote another Motown hit, “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing Baby”.

Great documentary highlighting the influence and synergy between both The Civil Rights Movement and the ascendancy of Motown into the cultural lexicon in the 1960′s.

A big, big song from 1982 is our Song of the Day and you know I didn’t even make the connection until much later that this was a Motown product. Just goes to show that the vibrancy of this label reached way beyond the 60′s and 70′s. Yes, I know there were hits in the 90′s and beyond but that was after Berry Gordy sold the label, I’m speaking of the Gordy led incarnation of the company.

Getting your weekend started off with the first song to chart #1 Pop for Motown (“Shop Around” was #1 R&B and #2 Pop) from 1961, The Marvelettes doing what so many have done from time to time waiting on that special note or that money. Now most of the postman is named Google or Yahoo.

We are going to get June started off with a proverbial bang with this gem from one of the baddest house bands ever put together. There is no mistaking as to why Berry Gordy did not allow The Funk Brothers to do outside projects, this is the sound of Motown and we are able to get an intimate glimpse of the groove here in instrumental form.

In June of 1979 President Jimmy Carter decreed that this month should be set aside to celebrate Black Music. We here at GFM thought it would be a fitting tribute to celebrate some of the seminal record labels that were instrumental in bringing this music to the masses. Each day we will highlight an important work from a particular labels vaults as well as provide some insight on the inner-workings and key players who helped to establish each labels distinctive sound. We hope that you will join us on this journey.

Without any further adieu we would like to present the first release from the label that was so closely identified with the Motor City!

In celebration of the born day of our departed Soul Sister, Teena Marie, DJ Polished Solid has put together this fantastic mix that celebrates her vast catalog. Make sure you keep this tab open on your browser today and press play and join us in this fitting tribute.

Checkout the playlist after the jump.

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