伝説のMotown音源のアーカイヴを探究するために設立されたレーベルWEST GRAND。記念すべき第1弾はMarvin Gaye & Tammi Terrellの幻の共演曲『Tears At The End Of A Love Affair』。長年コレクターの間で伝説とされてきた本作が、ついにヴァイナルで初登場する。

これまでユニバーサルによる権利保持のため限定的なデジタル配信のみで存在を確認できた本曲は、Motown公式コンピレーションにも未収録のままだった。Tammi Terrellのソロ・ヴァージョンがノーザンソウルの聖典として愛される中、Marvin Gayeとのデュエット版発見は音楽界に衝撃を与えた。

「なぜ当時リリースされなかったのか？」――Motownの品質管理部門だけが知る謎が残るが、圧倒的な完成度がそれを物語る。B面にはMarvin GayeとKim Westonの数十年間未発表音源を収録。こちらだけでもA面級の価値を持つが、本作の主役は紛れもなく『Tears At The End Of A Love Affair』だ。

ソウル愛好家の熱狂を予感させるこの一枚は、即座にコレクターズ・アイテムとして歴史に刻まれる。ヴァイナル盤に封じ込められたモータウン黄金期の息吹を、今こそ手元に。

A1. Marvin Gaye & Tami Terrell - Tears At The End Of A Love Affair
B1. Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston - Just Too Much To Hope For

The brand new WEST GRAND label has been set up to lovingly mine the tape vaults of Motown.
And their debut single - under licence from Universal/ Motown - is simply superlative.
It’s hard to imagine a better flrst release than MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL’S much demand TEARS AT THE END OF A LOVE AFFAIR.
Up until now the track has only been available via a limited download some years ago done by Universal to retain the right to the copyright in the master recording. It has eluded compilers of Motown CD compilation albums, and this is its’ worldwide debut release on vinyl.
Tammi Terrell originally recorded her much loved solo version which was released on her only album. It became a must have for Motown and Northern Soul aficionados and the emergence of the duet with Marvin caused consternation.
Nobody knew if it’s’ existence!
It was even better than Tammi’s solo!!
IT’S MARVIN GAYE AND TAMMI TERRELL!!!
Why it did was not released when recorded is a question only Motown’s famed Quality Control department can answer. They certainly slipped up.
Worldwide interest from the Soul community in this track is huge and the single is guaranteed to be an instant prized collectors item.
The flip by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston was unreleased for decades and is very much a “lost and found” gem.
Normally it would be good enough to make it as an A side but the mighty “Tears At The End Of A Love Affair” inevitably claims that honour.