Before 8 tracks there was the 4 track. Motown started to release this format in 1964. Probably predated the 8 track by months. The earliest Ive been able to locate is Temptations Sing Smokey on Gordy. For Motown its My guy. They seemed to be phased out after 1968. As you can see below they went through several design changes. The YEsterdays Dreams style was
probably last, and could be the final release
​
The first Motown 8 track was Meet the Supremes in 1964 . There is a small catalog on the back of the cover with the first few releases. THe labels were color coded for the different labels. Until 1968 the 8 tracks had this deluxe packaging. Very hard to find! For 1969 and 1970 they used a blue slip cover
​
In 1971 the design switched to a black cartridge surrounded by a black slip cover
Next from 1971 to 1975 was a white cart again with a blue slip. However I have a white cart Willie Hutch The mack! There were vairations or the factory shifted designs now and again.
For about a year from 1975-76 they had a blue cart . The final design from 1976 to 1982 was a black cart once again but just wrapped in plastic. As youll see below the 1976 design had a different color stripe for each label.
The last one was probably One Heartbeat. Sorry about the blur. From 1982
8 tracks were Columbia house only. Not sold in stores. However we have seen a stock copy of Temptations Reunion!
Here are some odd variations. The one on the far right appears on some releases late 60s.
These two above are Record club (Columbia House) issues.
The first 8 track release give the Syreeta 1972 album a title !!! Ive never seen this referenced anywhere!
A real oddity ! Italian Prog rock band Banco album on Manticore. Distributed by Motown
Heres some more of the obscure releases!
Scherrie and Susaye here with the late 70s top clip
Live at the Copa has another early design.
Some CTI issues had a blue Motown sticker. Jack Ashford rarity on Magic Disc! TG Sheppard country release.
Some 1960s issues had the flanged edge design, very rare! The earliest 8 tracks called Flatpacks.
Arthur Brown pops up again!!
Unique double box for Supremes!
Four Tops with an early unique design. This was called a soap box. Never seen another! Also has the flanged edge
These are Playtapes! you needed a special player for them. They only offered 4 songs
