The Temptations: Psychedelic Soul

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This is a brilliant 2CD compilation that I have just got my hands on.
It brings together the best, the very best, of Norman Whitfield's work with the Temps from 1968-73.
During this time, as ever, Motown didn't really seem to think in albums and even the Temps would put out records with crap little pop tunes on (Little Green Apples???), but this compilation hangs together better than probably any of their actual albums.
Featuring some unreleased long mixes built around The Funk Brothers jamming with added horns and strings before the Temps even appear, these tracks are closer to Miles working arrangements or some post-rock creations than average Motown.
With some of these songs you can hear the sound of the future appearing out of the mist.
Also changing at this time, a social conscience or maybe reality is strong through these songs of ghetto and drugs, war and death and adventurously much of the cose harmony is jettisoned in favour of one at a time singing presagging even raps approach to lyric prsentation.
Almost every track is a highlight, I'm particularily enjoying the previously unreleased longer versions of Psychedelic Shack and Ball Of Confusion although Masterpiece absolutely is just that!
11 out of 24 tracks check in above 6 minutes and 3 beyond 12 minutes allowing for some very spacey music indeed.
When these get going its like a soundtrack to the era and you can see driving through dark ominous city streets at night (how many cop film/TV music is based on these???) but make sure to get the US version not the British which has only 18 tracks and a curious running order. The US one starts with Cloud NIne whereas the UK version (I think) ends with it.
This is just sooooooooooooooooooooo good, I can't get it out of the player unless I take it to the car!

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Topic - The Temptations: Psychedelic Soul - dave c 17:48:42 09/09/06 (5)

Absolutely love it - Quint 10:12:43 09/10/06 (1)

I think its... - dave c 13:23:52 09/10/06 (0)

Re: The Temptations: Psychedelic Soul - Jeff Starrs 01:45:52 09/10/06 (0)

Re: The Temptations: Psychedelic Soul - hitsware 21:27:45 09/09/06 (1)

less that more this... - dave c 01:34:41 09/10/06 (0)

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