Back To Front

Performer: The Temptations (R&B)
Engineer: Reggie Dozier; Tom Weir
Producer: Benjamin F. Wright; Shelly Berger
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Billy Cox (bass voice); Richard Adkins, Yvette Devereaux, Susan Chatman, Mark Cargill (violin); Robin Ross, Patrick Morgan (viola); Miguel Martinez, Peggy Baldwin (cello); Louis Jr. VanTaylor (flute, saxophone); Ron Brown (saxophone); James Ford (trumpet); Duane Benjamin (trombone); Roman Johnson (keyboards); Kevin Brandon (double bass); Chad Wright (drums); James Cornwell (percussion); Vann Johnson (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Reginald Dozier. Liner Note Author: David Ritz. Recording information: Beta Records Studios, Hollywood, CA; Musicyard Studios, Malibu, CA; Ritesonian Studio, Sun Valley, CA; Studio City Sound, Studio City, CA. Photographer: Aaron Rapoport. Arranger: Benjamin Wright. While the title may indicate that BACK TO FRONT is a Temptations anthology, in truth the album is a 2007 release by the 2000s-era incarnation of the group performing classic soul covers. Interestingly, there are no covers of songs released on the Temptations' native Motown label, which means that usual suspects like Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and the Supremes are nowhere to be found. Instead, the Temptations tip their hat to 1960s and '70s soul fixtures like Sam & Dave, the Staple Singers, Barry White, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, making for a beautifully executed nostalgic journey with a fresh approach. No vocal group is better qualified to pay tribute to R&B's golden era than the Temptations, who do exactly that on Back to Front (an album containing mostly covers of soul classics from the '60s and '70s). Some soul connoisseurs will question whether or not the 2007 lineup heard on Back to Front should even be called the Temptations; Otis Williams is the only remaining original member, and the other participants include 1983 arrival Ron Tyson and three singers who didn't come on board until the '90s (Terry Weeks) or 2000s (Bruce Williamson and Joe Herndon). But then, lineup changes are nothing new for the Temptations, who had plenty of them during their '60s and '70s heyday -- and the important thing to remember about Back to Front is that the disc is quite faithful to the spirit of the pre-'80s Temptations even though Williams is the only one who was actually part of the group before the '80s. The Temptations, of course, were synonymous with the Motown sound back in the day, but Back to Front celebrates classic soul outside of Motown with enthusiastic covers of gems ranging from Barry White's "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" and the Emotions' "Don't Ask My Neighbors" to L.T.D.'s hits "(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again" and "Love Ballad." The Temptations of 2007 pay tribute to Stax Records (Motown's most important competitor in the '60s) on Sam & Dave's "Hold On! I'm Comin'" and the Staple Singers' "Respect Yourself," and they acknowledge the Philadelphia International/Gamble & Huff sound on Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "Wake Up Everybody." Back to Front is not in a class with the Temptations' most essential '60s and '70s recordings, but it is an enjoyably satisfying tribute to R&B's pre-urban contemporary, pre-hip-hop era. ~ Alex Henderson

Record Collector (magazine) (p.100) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]his new album is their best in a long while....The group's newest recruit, Bruce Williamson, proves a good asset..."

The Temptations were the most successful R&B vocal group of the 1960s, their popularity rivaled only by Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions. Despite several stylistic and line up changes (lead singers Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin both went on to solo careers), The Temptations scored hit after hit throughout the decade. In addition to mastering the smooth R&B ballad, the group pioneered a brand of tough, rock-influenced soul music that inspired scores of later artists.

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