1. Songwriting: The process began with songwriters, often from the Brill Building in New York City, creating catchy and memorable songs that fit the Motown sound.
2. Selection: Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, would personally listen to all the demos and select the ones he thought had potential.
3. Production: Once a song was chosen, it would be assigned to a producer, typically one of the Funk Brothers, Motown's in-house band of skilled session musicians.
4. Instrumentation: The producer and the Funk Brothers would lay down the basic tracks, including drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, and other instruments, creating the song's foundation.
5. Rhythm Section: The rhythm section, often consisting of drums, bass, and guitar, would record their parts first to establish a solid groove.
6. Overdubs: Additional instruments and layers would be added, including strings, horns, and various percussion.
7. Vocals: The lead singer or vocal group would record their parts last, adding the final touch and personality to the track.
8. Mixing: Once all the parts were recorded, they would be mixed down to create a cohesive and balanced final version of the song.
9. Approval: Berry Gordy would personally listen to the final mixes and provide feedback or suggest changes before giving his final approval.
10. Distribution: The finished product would then be distributed to radio stations, record stores, and other outlets for release and promotion.
This efficient and streamlined approach allowed Motown to produce a high volume of quality music in a relatively short time, contributing to the label's success and iconic status in the music industry.