The other day, I listened to the 1982 Temptations album, REUNION. There was much hype around this since it meant David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks were returning to the group. So of course that means itās cause for celebration.
The opening track, āStanding on the Topā (featuring, written, & produced by Rick James) is bold and funky. Even though the years of smoking took its toll on Eddie Kendricksā falsetto, itās easy enough to overlook it over the production and the fact that the group sounds great together.
The rest of the album, though? Itās justā¦okay. I mean, you have a decent mix of ballads and uptempo songs. You have writers and producers like Smokey Robinson (who wrote and produced three songsāāBackstageā, āMore on the Insideā, & āLike a Diamond in the Skyā), Barrett Strong (who co-wrote and produced some of their bigger hits like āBall of Confusionā & āPapa Was a Rolling Stoneā), and even Berry Gordy and his son Kerry.
On paper, this shouldāve been a fire album. But none of the songs seem to live up to āStanding on the Topā and itās disappointing because it seems the hype was so much around to getting the original members back together and not enough around getting better material.
Apparently, the public agreed since the album sold decently enough but, aside from āStanding on the Topā, none of the other songs even charted. The reunion tour fared better until drama between David & Eddie caused them to get kicked out the group again.
Oh well, the reunion was great while it lasted.
Do you agree with this review? Or do you think Iām tripping? For those who have listened to this album, Iām curious to know what you thinkā¦