Thanks for this wonderful essay Robert, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’d heard of The Undisputed Truth but really was only aware of Smiling Faces Sometimes. They clearly released some fantastic music. That version of What’s Going On is excellent, so different than the Marvin Gaye version!
Thank you for your fantastic article and for speaking the TRUTH! They are fantastic records, and Norman Whitfield worked magic on them (w/Coffey and Wah-Wah). I also love Whitfield's period with The Temptations, but the band is less happy with that era of their music.
I really enjoy the second iteration of The Truth (w/Taka Boom - Chaka Khan's sister). Of course, they were a different band, but those mid-70s albums up to 'Smokin' are smokin' hot! There's a tune on 'Higher Than High' called "Boogie Bump Boogie" that HAS to be the blueprint for early Red Hot Chili Peppers. Every time I hear it, I think that is what the Chili Peppers *wished* they sounded like. It's totally insane and would be such a fun tune live.
Norman Whitfield was a stone cold genius, and the Truth strongly benefitted from his songwriting and his place in the producer's chair.
Thanks for this wonderful essay Robert, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’d heard of The Undisputed Truth but really was only aware of Smiling Faces Sometimes. They clearly released some fantastic music. That version of What’s Going On is excellent, so different than the Marvin Gaye version!
Thank you for your fantastic article and for speaking the TRUTH! They are fantastic records, and Norman Whitfield worked magic on them (w/Coffey and Wah-Wah). I also love Whitfield's period with The Temptations, but the band is less happy with that era of their music.
I really enjoy the second iteration of The Truth (w/Taka Boom - Chaka Khan's sister). Of course, they were a different band, but those mid-70s albums up to 'Smokin' are smokin' hot! There's a tune on 'Higher Than High' called "Boogie Bump Boogie" that HAS to be the blueprint for early Red Hot Chili Peppers. Every time I hear it, I think that is what the Chili Peppers *wished* they sounded like. It's totally insane and would be such a fun tune live.
Nice article. I'm sure (old Detroiter) that you mean Woodward Avenue, not Woodwind Avenue! A nice musical slip tho! More on Detroit music please!