Search - Temptations :: Sky's the Limit

"A Goodbye to Eddie and Paul"

M. Spencer | Stockbridge, GA by way of D.C. | 02/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As I stated in my title for this review this was the last album to feature the great vocals of Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams who were now relegated as sidemen for the "Norman Whitfield Machine" as Dennis Edwards strong baritone dominated most Tempts songs. Eddie was was getting very tired of all the social commentary and pychedelia that Whitfield was producing for the group and Paul was battling health problems. So in my opinion it seems that apparently Whitfield was listening to the group members and reach a compromise with Eddie and suddenly went back to their r&b roots...but not for long. Eddie leads most of the songs here and had his first lead singing song"Just My Imagination" that topped both the r&b and pop charts(which was also the last time the Temptation would ever do so). But you know Whitfield had to throw some of his lenthy pychedelic productions "Smiling Faces" and "Love Can Be Anything" in there for good measure. Personally not one of my favorites although I do love "Just My Imagination","Smiling Faces", and "I'm The Exception To The Rule". So in my conclusion of this review I guess Eddie Paul had to do what they had to do and the rest of the guys continued on with Whitfield and two additional members. Eddie did have a nice solo career so I guess it worked out for both parties. I would give this album a 4.5 but the rating system won't let me, so another 5 star rating from one of my favorite groups alltime. Get it if you can, but another out of print cd(damn Motown)."

TUCKED AWAY IN THIS CLASSIC ALBUM WOULD BE ONE OF THE GROUP

Mr. Nightshift | Los Angeles, CA | 12/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although the first Single was the Billboard Top Ten Smash "Ungena Za Ulimwengu", it was the Platinum Billboard #1 Single "Just My Imagination" the ballad that took the group to higher heights! I think this even caught Motown by surprise, because their was NO further Singles released from this album, although Album Favorite "Smiling Faces Sometimes" could have went Top Ten (R&B) as an Edited Version or a Two-Part Single, but it's pretty safe to say Motown wasn't going to take a chance and maybe miss the mark. Another nice gem on this album was "I'm The Exception To The Rule" that was a B-Side of a previous released Single, so there was no need to try to release it again as an A-Side, so it too was left alone. Another Album Favorite was "Love Can Be Anything" not strong enough for a Single, but it worked as an Album Track."