Grammy-nominated trio Brownstone has released their rendition of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s iconic 1967 hit “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
For the faithful remake, Brownstone succeeds in keeping true to the harmonies of the classic and its subsequent cover, while taking a moment to slow down the tempo and put their soulful stamp on it.
Here’s some history on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” The song, penned by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson of Ashford and Simpson, was performed initially by Gaye and Terrell and featured on their 1967 album, United.
Gaye and Terrell’s duet reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that same year.
Three years later, in 1970, Diana Ross recorded “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” for her self-titled debut album. Her extended rendition resulted in a Hot 100 No. 1 single, making it her first smash as a solo act.
At the 13th Grammy Awards in 1971, Ross’ remake landed her first solo Grammy nomination, Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Female.
Circling back to Brownstone, their version of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is part of their upcoming Brownstone Live Experience, which is said to be a Salute To Legends.
“We are excited to honor and help preserve the legacies of the GREATER Women in Music & Entertainment before us,” Brownstone wrote in a joint statement via Facebook.
View this post on Instagram
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is Brownstone’s second musical release in recent months, after releasing their comeback single, “All I Want,” last fall. It marked their first proper single in 25 years.
“All I Want” is the lead single off their forthcoming third album, Back Again.
Also in September, Brownstone debuted “I’m Not Giving Up,” an empowering tune dedicated to founding group member Maxee Maxwell, who tragically passed away in 2015.
“The song is a record I first heard a few years after Maxee died. I felt like she wanted me to record this song because she knew I was on the verge of giving up on music,” founding member Nicci Gilbert wrote in an Instagram caption.
“I’m Not Giving Up” will also appear on Back Again.
Stream Brownstone’s remake of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” below.
