The Fantastic Four - Best Of The Fantastic Four (1969)

An overdue compilation of the Fantastic Four's Ric Tic Record releases; strangely, only one Motown release is included, that being "I Love You Madly." Motown acquired Golden World/Ric Tic Records, making the Fantastic Four Motown artists. The group had a changing lineup, but the personnel on most of these cuts were lead James Epps, Ralph Pruitt, Joseph Pruitt, and Wallace Childs; Ernie Newsome sang with them on their Westbound sides, and possibly on some Motown recordings. All the songs that made them chitlin-circuit favorites are included: "The Whole World Is a Stage," "You Gave Me Something (And Everything Is Alright)," and "To Share Your Love." "Just the Lonely" is interesting because it's so similar to "Just Another Lonely Night" by the Temptations. "Man in Love" was a new direction for the fellas; it has a nice jazzy break and some soothing vocal blends. Hopefully, one day Motown will compile a CD that will include all their Motown sides along with the Ric Tic cuts.