Compilations of have unsurprisingly focused on the recordings they made in the early to mid-'60s for , a period that contained their most popular work (including the hit and the original version of ). It's not too well known that they continued to record fairly often for other labels throughout the '60s. This 21-song compilation has much of that subsequent output, most of which hadn't appeared on CD prior to this anthology. In this era, found themselves in the dilemma of many talented acts of their time that first struck early in the decade: there weren't any songs with the instant hit appeal of or and the girl group style they'd done so well on those hits was becoming outmoded with the onset of soul. But approached with the knowledge that this isn't the group at its best (at least material-wise) or most definitive, this isn't a bad listen for serious girl group/'60s soul fans. Many of the earliest tracks, from their stint at , were written or co-written by the great soul producer/songwriter , and while they weren't among his best compositions, they're OK (especially the ballad which sounds like something might have considered covering). Much of the post- stuff here was co-written by ' with (famed as composer of the single covered for an international hit by ), and these tracks generally found the group drifting toward a less distinctive brand of mid to late-'60s soul, though is a very good midtempo belter. Lead singer 's vocals are consistently powerful and stirring, however, and the 20-page liner notes have what's likely to be the best history of ever published. ~ Richie Unterberger