The group only had one album, which actually was pretty good.That album was the groups first independent release since they broke with Motown and Universal, but the album struggled from a lack of promotion and distribution (it didnt even get a UK release.) Somewhat disappointed with the albums performance, the groups last original founding member, the legendary Otis Williams, decided to focus on touring instead.Since then the group has kept up an impressive, if gruelling, tour schedule.
In addition, the group has welcomed some new additions to the line-up, with new lead singer Larry Braggs and bass singer Willie Green replacing Bruce Williamson and Joe Herndon respectively in 2016. Williams initially met with UMes president in the hope of securing a contract for his grandson, a rapper, but ended up instead with a new deal for The Temptations, this time with global distribution (and, excitingly, a vinyl release). However, the deal came with a catch: the record would be another covers album. ![]() Legendary (older) acts who can get record contracts with the bigger labels tend only to get their contracts in return for albums of covers. Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and Lionel Richie have recently released cover albums, some more artistically creative than others (sorry Aretha). Given all this, I was anxious to hear what The Temptations latest offering would sound like. Quite simply, the Temptations have knocked it out the park with All The Time. Having seen this line-up in concert in 2016, they sound pretty good: Larry Braggs, a former lead singer of Tower of Power, is a great addition, as is Willie Green, perhaps the best bassist the group has had since Melvin Franklin. Ron Tyson, a member for over 35 years, still possesses a fine falsetto, and Terry Weeks, member for 22 years, is one of the underrated Temptations in my opinion. To placate Otis Williams ambivalence of doing another covers album, UME have, quite wisely, allowed the group to record three new original songs. One of which is co-written by Otis Williams and another co-written by Larry Braggs. They are, however, given The Temptations unrivalled vocal treatment. The harmonies the group create are stunning throughout, and should stop the doubters asking whether the current line-up of The Temptations are any good. That said, the album opens up with a delicious cover of Sam Smiths Stay With Me, featuring Weeks, Braggs and Tyson on alternating leads. Sam Smith might try and portray himself as a soul singer, but he cannot compete with the experienced performances of The Temptations. In their hands, Stay With Me is much more soulful, and the harmonies the group create at the songs climax are divine. The harmonies are, again, stunning, transforming the RB classic into a gospel sounding gem. His voice, slightly aged, is still as seductive and enjoyable as ever, and he really does shine on this track. Willie Greens bass features prominently in the mix here (and throughout the album generally), contrasting nicely with Tysons sweet tenor. Perhaps one downsides of the album is we dont get quite enough of Ron Tysons immense talent. Impressed, Williams put him in a group called For Lovers Only, a side project he was working on with Motown.
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