Arguably
Motown
's longest-running and most consistent act,
the Temptations
were top-notch, and this single-disc
sampler offers plenty of proof of that, including the classic singles
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg,"
"My Girl,"
"Just My Imagination,"
"(I Know) I'm Losing You,"
"Cloud Nine,"
"Psychedelic Shack,"
and their dramatic masterpiece,
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."
The songs were always solid, and in spite of the stylistic sea changes of the music industry,
adapted to the market, continually issuing timeless material, and not many groups could boast a succession of lead singers like
David Ruffin
,
Eddie Kendricks
, and
Dennis Edwards
or producers (and songwriters) like
Smokey Robinson
and
Norman Whitfield
. There are several
Temptations
collections available, but this one presents all the big radio hits, so for most listeners, it'll be just what the doctor ordered. ~ Steve Leggett