Expanding your horizons is imperative for growth and self-discovery in any walk of life. Whether it be trying different cuisine, reading a different book, or plunging into a different form of music, these are the spices that make for experiences.
With this in mind, by the dawn of the ’70s, legendary Songwriter/Producer/Composer Norman Whitfield focused on pushing the envelope of sound. Considered one of the fathers of the Motown Sound (co-writing/producing classics like 1966’s “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “(I Know) I’m Losing You” for The Temptations, as well as 1966’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” among others), Whitfield also is credited for the late ‘60s offshoot of Psychedelic Soul.
Distinguished by unique recording techniques and more free-form song structures, Whitfield helped The Temptations reshape their image with essential Psychedelic Soul albums such as 1971’s Sky’s The Limit and 1972’s Solid Rock. Something vastly unique, Whitfield also expanded on these ideas when putting together the three-piece group The Undisputed Truth.
A name that insists you pay attention, The Undisputed Truth came together in 1970 with Joe “Pep” Harris handling lead vocals, with Billie Rae Calvin and Brenda Joyce Evans on additional backing/leading vocals. With Whitfield molding the group, from the production right down to their debut album cover concept, there was plenty to discover with them than just an imposing name.
First releasing their debut self-titled album in July 1971 through Motown, the album featured a heavy hand of Whitfield co-penned songs like “Since I’ve Lost You” and “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)” (both originally performed by The Temptations), and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”
Vastly different in terms of the mood, tempo, and feel of the original versions recorded of the songs, perhaps the most striking recordings are of “Aquarius” (made famous by The Fifth Dimension in 1969) and the completely turned on its head edition of “Like a Rolling Stone” (originally written/recorded by Bob Dylan in 1965). However, you would be remiss to overlook The Undisputed Truth’s “You Got The Love I Need” and “Save My Love for a Rainy Day.”
All these matters considered, The Undisputed Truth did decently, peaking at 43 on the US Pop Charts and 7 on the US R&B Charts. However, historically, the album has been defined by the single “Smiling Faces Sometimes.” A song that is haunting in any format, it was originally recorded by The Temptations for their Sky’s The Limit album but inevitably became much more successful with The Undisputed Truth. Hitting number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, it has unfairly painted The Undisputed Truth into the corner of a one-hit wonder.
Nonetheless, this debut album is largely overlooked at this point in history, but it is honestly really exceptionally performed and produced. That is why it is interesting to learn that Elemental Music is set to release a reissued vinyl edition of it on December 13, 2024. One of the final offerings in their 2024 Motown Sound Collection calendar, the new limited edition release, is offered on a nicely crafted 140-gram vinyl. High quality, it also sports the original front and back art for added authenticity. So, if you overlooked The Undisputed Truth in the past, now is the time to discover a diamond in the rough because Cryptic Rock gives this new limited edition vinyl 4 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment