After more than two decades away from the recording studio, Motown legend Martha Reeves is back!
The singer best known for “Dancing in the Streets” and “Nowhere to Run” with Martha and the Vandellas, brings plenty of soul, energy and a fresh new sound in a remix of “To Know You Is To Love You”.
Her latest album, Searching, blends the spirit of Motown with the musical traditions of New Orleans, bringing together jazz standards, classic songs and brand-new material.
I talked with Martha and her manager and co-producer [with Delfeayo Marsalis] Chris Roe to talk about rediscovering an unreleased recording, collaborating with some of New Orleans’ finest musicians, and her philosophy of making music.
Martha, you’re back with a new dance single. What made you want to return to recording now?
Martha Reeves: I’m excited and thrilled. It feels great. Working with Chris has been wonderful, and the whole experience has been such a joy.
There’s a great story behind the next release, I Got It Bad. How did you rediscover it?
Chris Roe: We were in the studio trying to decide what song to record next. We started looking through Martha’s catalogue and came across I Got It Bad. It turned out she had recorded it before [in 1965], but it had never been released.
As soon as we played the recording, I thought, “Wait. I know this song.” It was completely different from what I expected. We brought Martha in, she immediately started singing, and the band began creating a modern groove around it. Within about an hour, we were ready to record. It was a happy accident.
The song was written by William ‘Mickey’ Stevenson and Ivy Jo Hunter, two of the writers behind Dancing in the Street. We loved the result so much that we decided to give it another life with a new remix.
The album sounds like a fascinating mix of old and new. What were you trying to create?
Chris: The original idea was to make a jazz album, but it quickly became what we called “Motown meets the Big Easy”. We wanted to take the soul of Motown and combine it with the spirit of New Orleans.
There are jazz classics such as God Bless the Child, Mood Indigo and Summertime, alongside classic Motown material and new songs. Martha has also written two songs herself, Watch Your Back and Thank You, Jesus.
Martha, what has it been like working with a completely new group of musicians?
Martha: It’s always an experience working with musicians. I’ve worked with many famous musicians throughout my career, but everyone on this project was new to me. They brought wonderful energy, and I felt very blessed.
You’re still performing at an incredible level. What keeps you going?
Martha: I just love doing it.
How important was it to have creative freedom on this album?
Chris: It was essential. I wanted this to be genuinely collaborative. Martha could change a phrase, interpret something differently or suggest an idea, and we would record it. Why wouldn’t we?
It was also important that she received proper songwriting credit. Artists have contributed creatively to songs for generations without always getting recognition. We wanted Martha’s contribution to be acknowledged.
And what’s next?
Martha: I’m looking forward to coming home to the UK. I have lots of loved ones there, and I’ll be very happy to return.
Chris: The album and the new remix, which features Fred Schneider from the B52s in his imitable style – are heading to the UK, and we’ll be over there doing press. It’s an exciting new chapter, and we’re just getting started!
Searching is now available digitally and on CD and vinyl on 4 Sep.
To Know You Is To Love You [remixed by Eric Kupper] is out now and recently climbed to number 4 on the UK Music Week dance charts.
I Got It Bad will be released as a single in the coming weeks.