Reunion is a very good
Temptations album that could have been great.
Kenny Gamble and
Leon Huff were originally rumored to produce this reunion of
Eddie Kendricks and
David Ruffin with the current crop of
Temptations. However, the two sides couldn't get the deal done. So Motown rationed out the production assignments to in-house producers
Rick James,
Smokey Robinson, and others. Seven voices sang on these tracks besides
Kendricks and
Ruffin, including
Dennis Edwards, Glenn Leonard,
Richard Street,
Melvin Franklin, and
Otis Williams, a mini-choir. Considering the voices on hand, they should have spread the leads around. Of the seven tracks,
Edwards sings six and
Ruffin one, the very ordinary "You Better Beware," written by money man
Barrett Strong.
Ruffin's vocal sounds rough and he appears to strain trying to reach some notes. Punk-funker
Rick James' epic "Standing on the Top" production is the most popular track here, with its dead-on beat, blaring horns, and multiple voices;
Rick James himself joins the
Tempts on this festive song.
Kendricks' bluesy falsetto lines on the fade are like cherries topping a sundae. Relishing the opportunity to produce
Dennis Edwards,
Smokey writes two beauties for the churchy belter: the introspective, engaging "Backstage" and the understated "More on the Inside," the second release from this set.
Kerry Gordy, one of Berry Gordy sons, co-wrote two in-your-face cold-blooded stompers, the so-true "Money Hards to Get" and the frantic "Lock It In the Pocket," both excellent and both left for dead on the album.
Edwards displays his balladry ability on a stunning rendition of "I've Never Been to Me" originally done by Charlene. Not a bad album, but the product doesn't equal the sum of the voices and producers. Why wasn't
Eddie Kendricks given a lead? Or
Richard Street and the
Kendricks-sounding Leonard? Fans would have loved to hear the two falsettos featured on a song, or
Kendricks and
Ruffin co-leading as they did on "You're My Everything" and the lesser-known but just as brilliant "Born to Love" from
The Temptin' Temptations. ~ Andrew Hamilton