SAMMY DAVIES JR/SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE STML 11160 (-70) UK

Part of Motown's strategy to sign and release artists from a wider spectra of genres thus trying to broaden their musical horizon and increase sales. To my ears this was not one of the more successful attempts. Mostly consisting of covers from contemporary hits - like "Spinning Wheel" and "In The Ghetto" - handeled by rat pack producer Jimmy Bowen and coming through as easy listening. There are a couple of remakes of Motown stuff, still not much soul and apart from those far from the label's classic output. Sammy Davies was, and still remains for many music lovers, one of the greatest 20th century entertainers, but here he sounds partly uninspired like he's not really into the songs just working his way through. One track he really owns is an innovative big band version of "High Heel Sneakers" and him doing "My Way" could never be bad, even as this lounge jazz version, but that's it for me. It didn't sell a lot and became his only Motown album. Premiere US on Motown (MS-710). First UK had label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (TÖMÖ*) (MÖRS*)