Temptations - Masterpiece - Limited Edition 180 Gram LP

Limited Edition 180 Gram LP

As all of The Temptations’ “psychedelic soul”-era albums, Masterpiece was produced by Norman Whitfield. Having already produced songs for the Temptations such as “Smiling Faces Sometimes” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”, which emphasized his instrumental tracks over the group’s vocals, Whitfield went here one step further. The title track, at nearly fourteen minutes long, includes just three minutes of group vocals. Many critics, and The Temptations themselves, remarked that much of Masterpiece, and especially its title track, sounds more like a Norman Whitfield/Funk Brothers solo recording featuring supporting vocals by The Temptations than as a song by the group. Masterpiece reached #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart, and #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)” also became a Top 40 hit in the late summer/early fall of 1973, and “Law of the Land” was released as a UK-only single by Tamla Motown, and just missed the UK Top 40, peaking at #41 in late 1973.

Tracklist

Side 1

1.HEY GIRL (I LIKE YOUR STYLE)
2. MASTERPIECE

Side 2

1. MA
2. LAW OF THE LAND
3. PLASTIC MAN
4. HURRY TOMORROW

Personnel

Track A1: Lead singer: Richard Street; Track A2: Lead singers: DENNIS EDWARDS, OTIS WILLIAMS, RICHARD STREET, DAMON HARRIS; Track B1: LEAD SINGERS: RICHARD STREET, DAMON HARRIS & MELVIN F RANKLIN; Track B2: Lead Singers: DENNIS EDWARDS, DAMON HARRIS & RICHARD STREET; Track B3: Lead Singers: DENNIS EDWARDS, DAMON HARRIS, MELVIN FRANKLIN & RICHARD STREET; Track B4: Lead Singer INGER: DAMON HARRIS).

Credits

All selections written and produced by Norman Whitfield. Recorded in Hitsville U.S.A. Studio A, Detroit, Michigan, between September 1972 and January 1973.