| The Temptations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 7, 1981 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 41:03 | |||
| Label | Gordy | |||
| Producer | Thom Bell | |||
| The Temptations chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from The Temptations | ||||
| ||||
The Temptations is a studio album by American R&B group the Temptations, released via Motown's subsidiary label, Gordy Records on August 7, 1981. The album is the group's third album upon their return to Gordy Records after their brief stint at Atlantic Records.
The album is the result of the Temptations' collaboration with the critically acclaimed record producer Thom Bell, whom they had met eight years prior. [1] The album features two original members of the group, Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin, recurring member Dennis Edwards, and more recent members Richard Street and Glenn Leonard.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [3] |
The album leans more toward pop, which alienated them from their R&B audience.
According to Craig Lytle of AllMusic, the reason why the album wasn't a huge success was that it wasn't marketed to a crossover audience. [4]
The album peaked at No. 119 on the Billboard 200 albums chart [5] and No. 36 on the Top Black Albums albums chart. [6] The only charting single from the album was the album's debut single, the uptempo R&B groove "Aiming at Your Heart" featuring Street and Leonard on lead vocals. The single peaked at No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was more successful on the Hot Soul Singles chart, reaching No. 36. [7]
All tracks are arranged by Thom Bell, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Arranged by | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Aiming at Your Heart" | Charles B. Simmons, Joseph B. Jefferson, Richard Roebuck | Bill Neale | 5:58 |
| 2. | "Evil Woman (Gonna Take Your Love)" | Leroy M. Bell, Casey James | 3:20 | |
| 3. | "The Best Of Both Worlds" | Thom Bell, Linda Creed | 3:41 | |
| 4. | "Ready Willing And Able" | Alan Glass, Preston Glass, T. Bell | 3:25 | |
| 5. | "Open Their Eyes" | T. Bell, Creed | 4:14 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Arranged by | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Oh, What A Night" | T. Bell, Creed | 4:03 | |
| 7. | "The Life of a Cowboy" | Jefferson, Roebuck | 3:33 | |
| 8. | "Just Ain't Havin' Fun" | T. Bell, Creed | 4:06 | |
| 9. | "What Else" | Simmons, Jefferson, Roebuck | 4:11 | |
| 10. | "Your Lovin' Is Magic" | A. Glass, P. Glass, T. Bell | Neale | 4:05 |
Musicians:
Production:
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 [8] | 119 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [9] | 36 |
The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s to mid 1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, pioneered psychedelic soul, and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music. The band members are known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music.
Psychedelic Shack is the twelfth studio album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label released in 1970. Completely written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and produced by Whitfield, Psychedelic Shack almost completely abandoned the "Motown Sound" formula, instead delving fully into psychedelia. Along with the hit title track, the album also features the group's original version of "War", which became a major hit for Edwin Starr later in 1970.
"Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" is a song by American soul group the Temptations, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. Released on the Gordy (Motown) label, and produced by Norman Whitfield, it features on the group's 1971 album, Sky's the Limit. When released as a single, "Just My Imagination" became the third Temptations song to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single held the number one position on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart for two weeks in 1971, from March 28 to April 10. "Just My Imagination" also held the number one spot on the Billboard R&B Singles chart for three weeks, from February 27 to March 20 of that year.
Masterpiece is a 1973 album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label, produced and written by Norman Whitfield.
All Directions is a 1972 album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label, produced by Norman Whitfield. It reached number two on the Billboard 200, making it the band's most successful non-collaborative album on the chart, and became their twelfth album to reach number one on the Top R&B Albums chart.
Solid Rock is a 1972 album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label, produced by Norman Whitfield. The LP was the first made primarily without founding members and original lead singers Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. Frustrated by conflicts and fights with Temptations Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin, and producer Whitfield's steadfast insistence on producing psychedelic soul for the group when they really wanted to sing ballads, Kendricks had quit the act and negotiated a solo deal with Motown's Tamla label.
Meet the Temptations is the debut studio album by the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label released in 1964. It includes most of the group's early singles, excluding only the first, "Oh Mother of Mine", and its b-side, "Romance Without Finance" ; as well as the single "Mind Over Matter", in which the group is credited as The Pirates. The album consists entirely of previously released singles, including the group's first hit single, "The Way You Do the Things You Do".
Cloud Nine is the ninth studio album by American musical group The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label released in 1969.
Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations is a collaborative album combining Motown's two best selling groups, Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations. Issued by Motown in late 1968 to coincide with the broadcast of the Supremes/Temptations TCB television special, the album was a success, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200. Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations spent four weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart.
The Temptations Sing Smokey is the second studio album by the Temptations for the Motown label, released on the Gordy Records subsidiary in 1965. As its name implies, it is composed entirely of songs written and produced by Smokey Robinson, and several other members of the Miracles as well.
Truly for You is an album by American R&B vocal group the Temptations released on October 15, 1984, by Gordy Records. The album reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 25 on the New Zealand Pop Albums chart.
Emperors of Soul is a 1994 box set compilation for The Temptations, released by Motown Records. The five-disc collection covers the Temptations' entire four-decade history, from the first recording of The Distants in 1959 to four new recordings by the then-current Temptations lineup of Ali-Ollie Woodson, Theo Peoples, Ron Tyson, and stalwart members Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin.
"I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" is a single recorded by the Temptations and released on Motown Records' Gordy label during the spring of 1968. The song is the last with lyrics by Rodger Penzabene, and as the final Temptations single to feature David Ruffin as lead singer.
Surface Thrills is the first of two 1983 albums released by the American R&B vocal group, the Temptations, on Motown Records' Gordy label.
Niecy is an album by American singer Deniece Williams which was released in 1982 on ARC/Columbia Records. The album reached No. 5 on the Top Soul Albums chart and No. 20 on the Billboard 200.
Round 2 is the second studio album recorded by American R&B group The Stylistics, released in October 1972 on the Avco label. It was produced by Thom Bell and recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia.
To Be Continued... is a 1986 album by American R&B vocal group The Temptations released on June 17, 1986 by Motown Records' Gordy label. The album featured the group's third top ten R&B hit of the 1980s, "Lady Soul", which reached No. 4 R&B and No. 47 pop. It was the third and final album to feature Ali-Ollie Woodson during his first stint with the group. The following year he was replaced by Dennis Edwards, then two years later rejoined the group replacing Edwards.
Give Love at Christmas is a Christmas album by the Temptations, released in 1980 via Gordy Records. The group's second holiday release following 1970's The Temptations Christmas Card, it features each Temptation leading on various popular Christmas carols and original Christmas songs. The album includes versions of The Jackson 5's "Give Love on Christmas Day", "The Little Drummer Boy", "This Christmas", and "Silent Night", alongside originals written or co-written by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr. and Motown star and vice-president Smokey Robinson.
Power is a 1980 studio album from American soul group the Temptations, their return to Motown after a brief contract with Atlantic Records. Dennis Edwards also returned to the group after Louis Price, who recorded during the Atlantic period, left.
"Aiming at Your Heart" is a song recorded by the American R&B group the Temptations, produced by Thom Bell, arranged by Bill Neale, written by Joseph Jefferson, Charles Simmons, and Richard Roebuck.
