Review of Temptations - Masterpiece
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(This may not be actual album art)
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The Temptations' 1973 album Masterpiece is as its title suggests, a masterpiece. The album represents a high water mark in the Temptations' long, illustrious career. As albums go, this is the one you should have. Norman Whitfield took over as the Temps' full-time writer/producer in 1967. He transformed the Temps from soft-balladeers (My Girl) to socially conscious, hard-rockin' soul brothers out to change the world. This period in the Temps' career is known as their psychedelic soul phase.
The album begins with the Temps' rendering a cool, jazzy version of "Hey Girl." The album shifts gears on the title track, however, as Norman Whitfield and the Temps take you staggeringly through the slums at night, tripping on smarts, fear, and power, set to an operatic, expressionist backdrop filled with African percussion and creepy violins. While the Temps' previous album contained the mega-hit "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone," Masterpiece featured the intended follow-up to the Papa saga, "Ma." Set to a pulsating base line and a swirling string arrangement, the album's final cut, "Hurry Tomorrow" is a brilliant piece of pop-psychedelia about a drug experience gone bad.
This record is a testament that too much reality is the craziest dose of all.
Released Date: 1993
Motown Records
France
Tracks:
Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)
Masterpiece
Ma
Law of the Land
Plastic Man
Hurry Tomorrow
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