Motown Records will release the soundtrack album for the forthcoming, highly-anticipated movie, Detroit. Classic recordings by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Brenda Holloway and the Elgins, among others, are heard in the film, which is due in U.S. theaters August 4, followed by international release later in the month.
In addition, the soundtrack will feature a song by classic hip-hop group the Roots and soul singer Bilal, entitled “It Ain’t Fair.” This will mark the Roots’ first recording for the Motown label, and the group’s Questlove announced the song in a special video. “[Motown Records] is inseparable from Detroit,” he said. “We want it to sound like Detroit.”
We’re honored & excited to announce @DetroitMovie official soundtrack ft @questlove @theroots will release on Motown in July! #DETROITmovie pic.twitter.com/HlmEyf7T2q
— Motown Records (@motown) 29 June 2017
Directed by Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow, Detroit captures one of the most terrifying events during the riots which rocked the motor city in the summer of 1967. The film’s stars include John Boyega, best-known for his role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Anthony Mackie, a superhero in Captain America: Civil War. The world premiere of Detroit takes place at the city’s Fox Theatre July 25.
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ “Nowhere To Run” and “Jimmy Mack” are included in the Motown soundtrack album for Detroit, as is Brenda Holloway’s “Till Johnny Comes,” the Elgins’ “Heaven Must Have Sent You” and Paul Peterson’s “Chained.” Also heard in the movie are classic Motown recordings by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, and the Temptations.
Martha Reeves is among the former Motown stars who recently recalled the dramatic events of 50 years ago, when Detroit was traumatized by five days of civil disturbance. Her group was performing at the Fox Theatre on Sunday, July 23, the first day of the riots; she was asked to break the news to the audience, and instruct them to leave calmly. “Imagine going out there lightheartedly and ready to work,” Martha told Jeff Karoub of Associated Press. “My heart was beating so fast after returning to the dressing room.” Read the AP story here.
Questlove said, “We wanted to make a song that reflects – not only the times of 1967 – but where we live now in 2017.” Motown Records president Ethiopia Habtemariam added, “The music from this soundtrack highlights to ‘Classic Motown Sound,’ which is a beautiful accompaniment to the story of tumultuous times in 1967, as well as the struggles we face within society today.”
