The Temptations - Reunion (Lp) (1982) - €10,00

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Reunion is a 1982 album by The Temptations for Gordy Records.

The album was released during the 1982 Temptations Reunion tour, which reunited David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks with the Temptations after a decade-long absence.
The album also features then-current Temptations Dennis Edwards, Glenn Leonard, Richard Street, and founding members Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin.
Reunion featured the single “Standing on the Top”, produced by and featuring Motown funk star Rick James, who had previously used the Temptations as the background vocalists for his 1981 hit “Super Freak”.

Reunion is a very good Temptations album that could have been great. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff were originally rumored to produce this reunion of Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin with the current crop of Temptations.

However, the two sides couldn’t get the deal done. So Motown rationed out the production assignments to in-house producers Rick James, Smokey Robinson, and others.

Seven voices sang on these tracks besides Kendricks and Ruffin, including Dennis Edwards, Glenn Leonard, Richard Street, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams, a mini-choir.

Considering the voices on hand, they should have spread the leads around. 

Of the seven tracks, Edwards sings six and Ruffin one, the very ordinary “You Better Beware,” written by money man Barrett Strong.

Ruffin’s vocal sounds rough and he appears to strain trying to reach some notes. Punk-funker Rick James’ epic “Standing on the Top” production is the most popular track here, with its dead-on beat, blaring horns, and multiple voices; Rick James himself joins the Tempts on this festive song. 

Kendricks’ bluesy falsetto lines on the fade are like cherries topping a sundae. 

Relishing the opportunity to produce Dennis Edwards, Smokey writes two beauties for the churchy belter: the introspective, engaging “Backstage” and the understated “More on the Inside,” the second release from this set.

Kerry Gordy, one of Berry Gordy sons, co-wrote two in-your-face cold-blooded stompers, the so-true “Money Hards to Get” and the frantic “Lock It In the Pocket,” both excellent and both left for dead on the album.

Edwards displays his balladry ability on a stunning rendition of “I’ve Never Been to Me” originally done by Charlene. 

Not a bad album, but the product doesn’t equal the sum of the voices and producers.

Why wasn’t Eddie Kendricks given a lead? Or Richard Street and the Kendricks-sounding Leonard?

Fans would have loved to hear the two falsettos featured on a song, or Kendricks and Ruffin co-leading as they did on “You’re My Everything” and the lesser-known but just as brilliant “Born to Love” from The Temptin’ Temptations.

Side A

A1.  Standing On The Top - 9:50  

A2.  You Better Beware - 5:00  

A3.  Lock It In The Pocket - 4:29  

Side B

B1.  I’ve Never Been To Me - 5:56  

B2.  Backstage - 4:29  

B3.  More On The Inside - 3:49  

B4.  Money’s Hard To Get - 4:42 

Performers

• Dennis Edwards – vocals (tenor/baritone)
• Melvin Franklin – vocals (bass)
• Eddie Kendricks – vocals (first tenor/falsetto)
• Glenn Leonard – vocals (first tenor/falsetto)
• David Ruffin – vocals (tenor/baritone)
• Richard Street – vocals (second tenor)
• Otis Williams – vocals (baritone)
• Rick James – guest vocals, producer
• Mary Jane Girls – background vocals (“Standing on the Top”)

 

Musicians

• Oscar Alston, Freddie Washington, Jervonny Collier, Nathan Watts, Eddie Watkins – bass guitar
• Paulinho da Costa, Gary Coleman, Nathan Hughes – percussion
• Bill Elliott – electric piano, synthesizer
• Kerry Ashby, Rudy Robinson, Erskine Williams, Clarence McDonald – keyboards
• Bobby Nunn, Levi Ruffin – synthesizer
• Ken Hirsch – piano
• Chris Powell – saxophone
• Ken Scott, LaMorris Payne – trumpets
• Benjamin Wright – synthesizer, arranger
• Ndugu Chancler, Ed Greene, Jerry Jones, Lanise Hughes, Quentin Dennard – drums
• Robert Bowles, Bruce Nazarian, Dennis Herring, Louis Russell, Wah Wah Watson, Tom McDermott – guitars

Notes

Release: 1982

Format:  LP, Vinyl

Genre:  Soul, Funk

Label:  Motown Records

Catalog#  542021

Vinyl:  Goed (VG)

Cover:  Goed (VG)

Prijs: €10,00