by Richie UnterbergerProbably the most pop-oriented of Motowns major female acts, the Marvelettes didnt project as strong an identity as the Supremes, Mary Wells, or Martha Reeves, but recorded quite a few hits, including Motowns first number one single, Please Mr. Postman (1961). Postman, as well as other chirpy early-60s hits like Playboy, Twistin Postman, and Beechwood 4-5789, were the labels purest girl group efforts. Featuring two strong lead singers, Gladys Horton and Wanda Young, the Marvelettes went through five different lineups, but maintained a high standard on their recordings. After a few years, they moved from girl group sounds to up-tempo and mid-tempo numbers that were more characteristic of Motowns production line. They received no small help from Smokey Robinson, who produced and wrote many of their singles; Holland-Dozier-Holland, Berry Gordy, Mickey Stevenson, Marvin Gaye, and Ashford-Simpson also got involved with the song...