Motown: Hot Wax, City Cool & Solid Gold

Although clear and concise, Motown adds little to what the public already knows about the record company that had hit after hit in the '60s. The familiar main events are covered in detail: Marvin Gaye leaving Motown because owner Berry Gordy allowed only one of his performersSmokey Robinsonartistic control over recordings; the departure of the talented writing and producing trio of Holland, Dozier and Holland because of royalty disagreements; jealousy on the part of other Motown groups when Gordy concentrated on Diana Ross's career, even at the expense of her group, the Supremes. The trivialists of record release dates, television appearances, even marriages, births, deathscarries the book. Some rare publicity photographs are also included. (March)