The Spinners: Their Early Years

The Spinners: Their Early Years is a compilation album featuring The Spinners and other various artist that were signed to the Tri-Phi Records/Harvey Records label(s) from 1961 to 1963 (when it was sold to Motown Records). It contains the five singles (and their B-sides) that the group made while signed at Tri-Phi (which was to be compiled into an album that was cancelled due to the label closing), and a few tracks where they sang backing vocals for other acts on both labels. The album also contains songs performed by various other acts that didn't make the transition to Motown.

While Henry Fambrough remained a member of the group during the whole period, he was not featured on their last two singles for the label, as he was serving in the U.S. Armed Services at the time the tracks were recorded (1962–1963). Edgar "Chico" Edwards would fill in while he was away; he would later permanently replace George Dixon when he left the group just prior to their signing at Motown Records. This albums contains all the leads (and recorded material) performed by Dixon, and most of the leads performed by Edwards, though, like most of their Motown material, Bobby Smith was their main lead singer.

This album also marks the first appearance of Ann Bogan, singing here with the Challengers, who would later replace Gladys Horton in the Marvelettes and be a part of the New Birth subgroup, Love, Peace & Happiness along with Leslie and Melvin Wilson.