Essential Collection: Four Tops in Bloomington, MN

An all but impossible to beat single disc greatest hits set, this collection covers just about every crucial stage of the Tops' career. During Motown's 1960s glory days, the Tops were abetted by the brilliant writing/producing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. The timeless soul classics that sprung forth, including "Baby I Need Your Loving" and the epic "Reach Out I'll Be There," are indeed essential.

The group's post-HDH career is surprisingly rewarding, from soulful covers of Tim Hardin and the Left Banke, to their early 1970s successes at ABC/Paramount ("Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got"), and their disco era smash ("When She Was My Girl"). If you only have room for one Four Tops album, this is the one to grab.