6 Diana Ross And The Supremes Love Child

TAMLA MOTOWN, 1968

You say: “Title track takes in new territory lyrically.” Nigel Maggs, via e-mail

In summer ’67, Ross’s name preceded The Supremes on the 45 Reflections, signalling the solo career that had seemed increasingly likely. The

Reflections LP and the sacking of Florence Ballard did nothing to dispel the thought. Cindy Birdsong joined, LPs of songs from Funny Girl and with The Temptations sought to broaden their reach, until Love Child, the first set of new material since HDH quit Motown. Frank Wilson, Ashford & Simpson and others produced, the title track hit Number 1 in the US, Some Things You Never Get Used To was Top 30, and there are sweet versions of Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers’ Does Your Mama Know About Me and Smokey’s He’s My Sunny Boy.