Holland–Dozier–Holland: Detroit 1969–1977 is a compilation album of songs released on the labels Invictus and Hot Wax, which were formed by songwriting team Holland–Dozier–Holland after they left Motown. The album was released by Demon Music Group on 3 May 2024.
Background Holland–Dozier–Holland is the collective name of the songwriting team comprising Lamont Dozier and brothers Eddie and Brian Holland, who started working together at Motown in 1962. The Marvelettes' "Locking Up My Heart" was their first hit.
In 1967 Holland–Dozier–Holland left Motown and established their own record labels, Hot Wax and Invictus, with other Motown staff. The Guardian wrote that "despite lacking Motown's promotional apparatus, Hot Wax/Invictus had amassed several hits by 1971." Dozier left the labels in 1973 and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a solo career. In 1977 Invictus, Hot Wax and the Hollands' new label Music Merchant "collapsed in fiscal disarray."
Critical reception
Uncut wrote that "if Holland–Dozier–Holland couldn't build an empire of their own to rival [Berry] Gordy's, this set...proves that their efforts added something more than a postscript to their matchless Motown legacy." In a 5-star review for Record Collector, Lois Wilson wrote that the album "cherry picks 45s from the catalogue and is an absolute treat."
Track listing
Personnel Liner notes – Stuart Cosgrove
References