George HaffendenMotown legends The Temptations are to release a brand new album on May 4, mixing covers with original songs.
The Temptations new album ‘All The Time’. (PRNewsfoto/UMe)
Legendary R&B group The Temptations are to release their first album in 8 years, entitled ‘All This Time’. The album will see the current incarnation of the Motown super-group cover songs by current pop-stars such as Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd and others, including the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. The album will also feature three new original tracks.
Today, Otis Williams is the only original members of The Temptations remaining. Aged 76, Williams still leads the group, and continues to perform around the world year after year. The Temptations today are Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Larry Braggs and Willie Green.
In a press release, Williams was quoted as saying: “I’m so proud of what The Temptations have achieved, and I’m grateful for every opportunity we’ve been so fortunate to receive. The music carries me. Together, we lift our voices with love and wonder. We had a great time recording All the Time and we hope everyone enjoys it.”
The album is their first since 2010’s Still Here, an ambitious release which didn’t win many plaudits, although I personally felt it was one of the group’s most enjoyable in recent years. The group have released the first single from the album, an original, entitled ‘Waitin’ on You’. The song is a slick neo-soul groove, with the lead vocal performed by Terry Weeks, a two-decade veteran with the group.
The Temptations are no strangers to covers albums. They released their first album of covers in 1967, the excellent album of standards In A Mellow Mood. They also recorded another album of standards, albeit with nineties soul grooves, in 1995 on the stunning For Lover’s Only. And, like so many older acts, they released two albums of so-so covers in the naughties: Reflections (2006) saw the group record some hit-and-miss covers of Motown classsics, and Back To Front (2007) was a slightly better attempt at recording soul classics (their version of ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’ was pretty decent).
Despite our general reservations about covers albums (let’s face it, they can bit a bit naff), it’s nonetheless exciting to be having some new music from The Temptations. It’s particularly exciting, as this new album marks the first time that current lead singer Larry Braggs and bass singer Willie Green have recorded as Temptations. Both singers have been great additions to the group, so it’ll be interesting to hear how well they transition from stage to studio.
All The Time is avaliable for pre-order, and is out on May 4. Some tracks are avaliable on Apple Music. Spotify UK fans cannot access the new single yet – if you’re reading this Tempts (or your managers), let us have the singles!