With their seamless blend of the Moonglows, Jackie Wilson, The Impressions, James Brown and Sam Cooke, plus a certain something, The Miracles gave the nascent Motown label its first superstars.

This sumptuously presented round-up of their first five albums, plus some bonus rarities, provides plenty of evidence that the success was more than richly deserved.

They’re at their dirtiest on the first album with raw R&B such as Shop Around and a mean version of Barrett Strong’s Money; while later sets find them flirting with Nat King Cole territory on standards like Embraceable You and On the Street Where You Live. The Fabulous Miracles places their anthem You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me in context and the live set shows they could sweat as well.