Cloud Nine

I loved this album. After a long day at work getting back and putting this on whilst cooking dinner was an absolute winner

The Temptations are a weird group. They were early pioneers in funk but they came out of the motown scene. Most bands who straddle the genre line like this produce songs that sort of smear the line between. Not The Temptations. Oh, no. The songs on this album are very solidly either funk or motown. I love the funk tracks so much. They hit the pocket and just grind. They're great. The motown tracks no so much. They're great examples of motown soul ... I just don't dig the genre.

The A side could be an easy 5, but the back half drags into good but generic motown that brings the record down a bit.

👍🏼

My vague knowledge of The Temptations remains vague, but now I know for sure that I love them

Pleasant but unremarkable.

Super 70s production - very wide stereo sound, funky bass lines, crunchy guitar and rhodes riffs, soulful singing - lots of love jams. Good to throw on and just vibe. Favorite song: Love is a Hurtin' Thing

(à lire impérativement avec la voix de Jacques Chirac) Écoutez, je dois dire que j'ai été très déçu par cet album. La pochette laissait présager une véritable bouffée d'air soul au milieu de tous ces albums de rock générés par Robert. De la soul, oui, mais de la soul psychédélique, j'émets des réserves.

Obviously, The Temptations Cloud Nine was groundbreaking at the time for its use of funk, but how does it hold up? To modern ears, the earnestness of the lyrics grates a little. Social consciousness is one thing, but these lyrics are pretty on the nose. But how about the music? The playing and arrangements of the first three tracks in the relatively new funk style are impeccable. They groove relentlessly. And sure enough, it's the Temps, so the vocals kick ass. After the initial blast of funk, the rest of the album reverts to the Temptations signature smooth soul. This is not necessarily a bad thing. There's a lot to be said for soulful and varied vocals, competent if conventional arrangements, and the solid songcraft and musicianship from the Motown stable. I've got to be honest. I prefer 70s soul to 60s soul, but Cloud Nine is one of the more solid efforts of the period. There is little of the outright filler, pointless covers of hit material, and outright pandering to crossover audiences that was all too common on Motown releases. I'll subtract half a point for some painful earnestness and out of subjective personal preference. 4 1/2 out of 5

I absolutely love this album. It's got a lot of funk to it, and it has a great groove. The instrumental choices were very nice and characteristic of the era, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I went on youtube for this shit. Like it was 2011. Maybe that's why I liked it so much. Sitting in a simpler time. Good energy. Ah. The Temptations!

I think people who don't like funk or soul music might just be racist. Favorite track: Hey Girl

Feel good album. Started very soulful and got heavy 50s-pop toward the end. Not a huge fan of their rendition of "Heard It Through The Grapevine". Otherwise, good stuff.

I feel like there’s a whole group of people who find the Temptations really, really historically important but no one ever said anything and they just expect us to know? They don’t run around trying to insert the Temptations into ever conversation, it’s more like ‘whatevz, yer loss.’ Strange.

Loved this. I’ve been hitting a wall lately — not wanting to keep up with this. But this album basically reinvigorated me haha.

The Norman Whitfield years are underway—epic songs, psychedelic soul. David Ruffin is gone, and Dennis Edwards takes over as lead, but the voices remain the standard—Kendricks, Williams, and Franklin take notable solo spots throughout. The cover of the Gladys Knight/Pips version of Grapevine is decent, as are the other b-side cuts, but the title track and Run Away Child, Running Wild set the tone for the Temps to come. Funk Brothers moving at full speed. A perfect encapsulation of the late 60s Motown era.

An example of a temptation would have been to support Man City in the FA Cup final so that extra EUROPA space was available via the league. I resisted that temptation and kept my soul in place! This album has funk and seems to me a good example of the genre. I got bored as the album went on but resisted the temptation to skip tracks.

a good time :) missing that standout track to give it a 4 other than i need your lovin' though

So feel good - another one you can't help wiggling all the way through to

Temptations at their best.

SO GOOD

great vibes, classic album.

Love it. Own it.

Classic banger. Best version of the song "I heard it through the grapevine"

Probably one of the best transition albums.

RANKING 1) Love Is A Hurtin' Thing - 9.55 2) Why Did She Have To Leave Me (Why Did She Have To Go) - 9.31 3) I Gotta Find A Way (To Get You Back) - 9.3 4) Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love - 9.23 5) Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me - 9.22 6) I Need Your Lovin' - 9.1 7) Hey Girl - 8.8 8) Cloud Nine - 8.4 9) I Heard It Through The Grapevine - 8.35 10) Runaway Child, Running Wild - 7.7 AVG RATING - 8.90 PERSONAL RATING - 9 2/3 Spot are Interchangeable - Distinct but both very good, same with 4/5. Vocals, Instrumentation, Catchiness, Everything sounds distinct and amazing. All songs stand out, and they are all certified bops.

Just a really good album. It's probably a 4.5 because of the 9 minute sing that could've easily been 4 minutes shorter... but I'm still gonna round up. I'd buy this on vinyl.

It is said this was the Temptation’s first foray into psychedelic soul. I am very happy they did. I loved this album and enjoyed all the music, harmonies, and lyrics. Well worth many more listens!

Man, I'm actually on a roll of good, classic albums. I don't even know if I have notes on this. It's just good.

Proof that the Temptations are one of the greatest vocal groups of all time. Just wow.

This album had quite a few surprises from what I was expecting from the temptations. Quite a bit more funky in spots from the My Girl days. The industry back then was also very weird. It all seems to be very label driven and songs were just reused almost annually. "I head it through the Grapevine" had huge success with two different artists in the two years prior to this album, so 3 artists in 3 years all singing the same song. All versions are quite a bit different, and I know there even a couple other covers later on. It's one of those songs that just got everywhere. As a kid from Grapevine who watched the California Raisins I may have paid a little more attention than your average kid to this song. The rest of this album is pretty interesting too. I'm an era of 3 minute tracks there is a 9+ minute epic of Runaway Child, and had it not been for the kid crying midway through it would have been my favorite on the album. All other songs do their best to say what they need to and efficiently move on to the next, and that is appreciated. Favorite track "I gotta find a way to get you back" 5/5

My favorite period of my favorite Motown group began with this album. Norman Whitfield, who had already produced singles for The Temptations, took full control of production. This coincided with David Ruffin’s departure and the arrival of Dennis Edwards. “Cloud Nine” featured the five Temps sharing lead vocals, often trading lines within verses, to an increasingly funky, psychedelic soul sound. The Funk Brothers added wah-wah guitars and intense instrumental vamps to the traditional Motown sound, and the lyrics introduced social commentary to the more familiar love songs. The title track kicks things off and we’re in Sly & the Family Stone territory; the 9-minute “Runaway Child, Running Wild”, which builds to an organ- and guitar-fuelled crescendo, is stunning and points the way to the even more powerful workouts to come in the early ‘70s. The ballads were still here but times were getting tougher and, with Whitfield’s encouragement, so were The Temptations…

#129/1001 🇺🇸 A cracking slice of Motown with all that you would expect from the label. Pounding rythm sections, horns, strings and more. Runaway Child Running Wild, Love is a Hurting Thing, I Need Your Loving, Got to Find a Way (To Get You Back).

Took me to cloud nine, a couple of stand-out classics

For goodness sakes people! It's The Temptations! If you only listen to one R&B, funk, soul album, this is definitely in the top 10 of what you should consider to hear!

I actually enjoyed this one. Fun album.

Vibes

Enjoyable. Nothing life-changing but none are skip worthy. 4.25

It was so great and so romantic, listened to it on the way to a date

It's The Temptations doing Temptations stuff, which basically means, "This is cool".

Blown away by the wall of sound

I always thought of the temptations as this old mowtown band but this is far more funky than I expected.

Psychedelic Temps I heard through the grapevine Run away child, running wild

Groovy and fun, for the most part. A couple of songs didn’t do it for me, but most I enjoyed. Cloud Nine and Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love are the perfect opener and closing song.

Great album, bringing their brand of hard soul. The opening track exudes social injustice and love their version of I heard it through the grapevine.

Fun lil album. Bass grooves were awesome and I was definitely vibing with that the whole way through. It’s also funny listening to their previous albums and finding out that this one is just so different than the rest.

funky and i fw this

This challenge has given me a good introduction to Psychedelic Soul: a genre I was probably interested in all along and never got around to it. This is so much better than My Girl.

With the arrival of Dennis Edwards, the Temptations shift into a funkier direction while still keeping their Motown roots. Of its time, but that’s not a bad thing.

No. 234/1001 Cloud Nine 4/5 I Heard It Through The Grapevine 3/5 Runaway Child, Running Wild 3/5 (3x) Love Is A Hurtin' Thing 4/5 Hey Girl 3/5 Why Did She Have To Leave Me 4/5 I Need Your Lovin' 3/5 Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me 4/5 I Gotta Find A Way 4/5 Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love 4/5 Average: 3,5 Really fun soul album.

not as good as the last temptations album, but still a 4

This was fun. I know this album gets pegged as the Temps' big funk and psychedelic turn, but much of it is not. It's more that they took their signature sound and tweaked it slightly to go with the tone of what was on the charts at the time. It actually works pretty well. The more funk-driven tracks of side 1 are the real deal. The title track is a stone cold classic. I'm just realizing "Runaway Child" clocks in at 9+ minutes. It's pretty awesome as well, and kind of surprising coming from this group. Honestly the only side 1 song that left me a little cold was the cover of "Grapevine," which brought nothing new to the song. Dennis Edwards absolutely deserves credit here for making his mark as a vocalist in the wake of David Ruffin's departure. He was never going to top Ruffin, but he sounds great here, his grit balanced nicely by Eddie Kendricks’ splendid vocal. The album could have been a flat-out failure, and it's actually a really fun listen. I'm actually digging several of the more conventionally Temptations-y romantic songs. They're lovely, classic Motown songs, which are always a delight to hear. Fave Songs: Cloud Nine, Run Away Child Running Wild, I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back), Why Did She Have to Leave Me, Love is a Hurtin' Thing

Don't think I've ever sat down and listened to a Temptations record before. Production sounds amazing, crisp and warm, it does the slightly disorienting 60s stereo thing where the drums are hard panned to one channel, so it's not a headphones record. Pretty ballsy putting a 9-minute track third, but it mostly worked here. Sounds like it's straddling the line between classic Motown and 70s soul - I preferred the Motown-style tracks. Really refreshing to hear another version of Grapevine that hasn't been played to death

The funky version of the Temptation works for me. There were times when I thought the mix could have been a bit better. Sometimes the falsetto stands out a bit too much from the rest of the arrangement. The songs, though, are top notch 4/5

Can't say it's bad but I wasn't really into it either.

such a fun listen. i had a really good time and pretty much liked all the songs!! faves: why did she had to leave me, don’t let him take your love from me

This was enjoyable, but I’ve previously docked Creedence Clearwater Revival a point for a Grapevine cover that’s nowhere near as good as Marvin Gaye’s, so for consistency this is a 3

Pretty good. “Runaway Child, Running Wild” took me by surprise.

smooth and warm. OK

Grosse erreur de la part des Temptations, qui n'ont pas eu la présence d'esprit, a la sortie de leur album, de le rendre disponible sur les plateformes de streaming. Ceci plafonne par consequent directement leur note a 3/5. A l'heure du digital, il est tout bonnement scandaleux de ne proposer un album qu'exclusivement disponible sur Youtube. J'ai d'ailleurs alerté mon bon ami robtouillère de ce petit scandale, qui s'est empressé de le signaler directement à Robert Dimery, grâce à sa proximité extrême avec ce dernier. Des mesures devraient etre prises très bientôt, à bon entendeur.

It was decent.

It was okayish funky. I enjoyed it but I didn't love it

This is a bit boring, especially for funky Motown. I also hate this version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Meh - it’s like a record of templates for Motown songs with no real bops.

Basic motown shit

Was ok as backaground.

2/5 nothing to remember

I honestly don't know how this is on this list. Very poor output from them. How can you take a song as soulful as Heard It Through The Grapevine and render it elevator ready. Whomever is attempting the falsetto on this album, please stop. The Temptations have some iconic songs but none of them (or their essence) is here. This is sad. Like when a classic band is touring 30 years later with just the original bass player carrying the name from casino to casino.

These guys have many classic singles but “Cloud Nine” is not one of them. With that being the tentpole for the album, the whole thing collapses! I can safely say there is not a good song to be found anywhere on this album. “Runaway Child, Running Wild” is especially dumb, and this has to be the worst cover of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” ever recorded. I think I’m just more of a Four Tops man.

Not much to say about this album, other than I found it incredibly boring from start to finish... I saw "Grapevine" on there - and thought maybe they had written it, but they did not - they were just another cover version, and it's a pretty crappy cover at that... Marvin Gaye's cover is the definitive version... Boring will get you a 1 from me every time...

Meh. I liked the first song. Hated their grapevine cover.

The Temptations failed to tempt me. There were a couple but it didn't really do anything for me. The second half of the album were basically songs on trying to get a girl back with very little luck, seemed a little sad and desperate really. Best: Cloud Nine Worst: I Need Your Lovin’ Spotify didn't have many of the songs- needed to fully listen to the album on YouTube

This was outstanding. I really enjoyed this one a ton! The bass lines are amazing!

auntie music

One of my favorite albums

First time listening to the Temptations. Really enjoyed this one. May be picking this up on vinyl soon. If you told be psychedelic progressive soul was I thing I would not have believed you, but here we are. 5/5

Bellísimo

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excelente álbum saludos!

Excellent album and a wonderful display of a soulful Motown work. Gives me a starting point to further explore The Temptations.

Muy buen disco, sobretodo muy buena banda!

Oh my god flawless from front to back. The perfect Sunday album. Not a single skip - would happily sit and relisten to this in full again and again and again.

Bien.

Just felt right when listening to it.

One thing that you’ll learn in this life, is that there’s two kinds of psychedelic soul. There’s the kind that happened before Neo-soul, and there’s the kind that happened after it. The former is sly and the family stone, and the latter is thundercat. Ya dig? Now let’s get into this album, which is obviously the former. I wasn't too confident in this one after hearing the pretty disappointing "Heard It Though The Grapevine" cover, but then was promptly proved wrong with the next song, "Runaway Child Running Wild" and can I just say that I was not aware of the ball that these brothers had. A funky, frantic exploration of a child's journey through running away from home... holy shit it's incredible. More than incredible, it's one of the most perfect songs I've ever heard. Every part of it moves perfectly together, in such an interesting way! It rivals the great funk and soul songs of the 60s and 70s perfectly. It's SO good. And the rest of the project just rides that afterglow, with some pleasant shorter songs. The big problem the entire time is... I'm sorry. Mr. Eddie Kendricks, your falsetto is not at all your strong suit. And you sing falsetto on most of these songs. However "Hey Girl" is positively beautiful, and "Why Did She Have To..." is a beautiful number as well, with some genuinely crushing lyrics for the time. The entire B-side is just really consistent soul numbers, and honestly that combined with “Runaway Child” makes this album a standout in the journey. Hell, without the falsetto in a couple of these songs, this is an easy 10. 9.5/10

Title song definitely declares a new sound for the Temptations who were already too eager to follow the sound that Sly and the Family Stone had established. Soulful but psychedelic, multi-vocal, layered beats, taking on the proud Black sound without apology. I Heard It Through The Grapevine is almost as good as Marvin Gaye's but the arrangement is still very very cool. Oh mama! This next track Runaway Child Running Wild is on fire. Expansive, epic, all the singers dialoguing with each other. Otis is growling his rage through every note! The band is jamming so good. The album is practically done after this urgent track. Goes scary with the shrieking "I want my mamma!" This music takes me back to my multi-colored wide-flared bell-bottoms! An almost forgotten sound of the late-60s soul and funk. Then things slow down for the luscious love ballad, Love is a Hurtin' Thing." I used to slow-dance to this with girls too young to know what I didn't know... which is that we were on the threshold of something new. That what the Temptations ushered us through... they started with My Girl and all those amazing happy 60s soul songs... but now they were taking us into new territory, a more complicated territory. But hold on... we're not entirely done with the old Temptations. There's still Hey Girl... which pairs really well with My Girl. Carole King/Gerry Goffin penned this track, and producer Norman Whitfield knew what he was doing passing this to the Temptations. It captures the perfect Motown sound, which isn't giving up its original vibe without a proper tribute. And Eddie Kendricks is warbling that beautiful distinctive falsetto of his on I Need Your Lovin'. Gotta rate that high as high as he sings it. And the three final tracks are made for dancing, so be prepared to have everyone at your party bounce around the floor with verve and abandon. The fine gents etched a classic here, no doubt.

When I looked at the song titles on today's album I was a bit concerned as the only one I knew was I Heard it Through the Grapevine, but not their version. I am a fan of their music, and very much enjoyed All Directions which I got from the generator a while back, but I was still uncertain how I'd feel about this record. I liked the opening track, Cloud Nine, but didn't really care for their version of Grapevine. When I saw the runtime of Runaway Child, Running Wild I wasn't sure what to think, but I absolutely loved it. And then every song after just felt like what I want The Temptations sound to be. While I knew none of the songs, they all made me feel how I feel when I'm listening to their greatest hits. I smiled throughout and ate it all up. Standouts were every song aside from the first two.

Loved the A side. B side dropped a bit but still solid.

They took me to cloud nine alright.

5 singers at their peak strength, drawing on what they do best while also pushing the boundaries of psychedelic soul. What more could you want? An outrageously good album and solid proof there should be more Motown on this list. (Although, most of the iconic 60s Motown recordings were released as singles, yet again revealing a problem with the album-focused list.)

SO GOOD FIVE STARS

Increíble y nostálgico, muchos feelings, ojalá no estuviera tan caro en vinilo

incredibly soulful and funky. makes me want to dance. it’s just so groovy

The Temptations did funk well! Love Cloud Nine! This album was a lot of fun!

Right up my Alley. Thoughtful but catchy lyrics. Layered vocals and harmonies. Interesting instruments and riffs. A delight for the masses.

1969. First full album after they fired their lead singer David Ruffin and replaced him with Dennis Edwards. Style change to psychedelic soul.

5/5

Classic for a reason

Awesome feel-good jazz, love that I've been getting so many of these, definitely a couple jaw-droppers in here too

woooooooooooow