Cloud Nine

it's ok but nothing particularly outstanding for me

Runaway Child, Running Wild

I never usually get the opportunity to listen to Motown music from the 60's. It was a nice change up from the music I usually pop on while working. The Cloud Nine single on this record is pretty good. Which reflects the amount of plays on the track. I would give this album a 3.5/5

After this last run of albums, a breath of fresh air. No one can get mad at The Temptations. Now, while a standard Motown record would probably rate a 3 as perfectly cromulant background music, this brings in a little proto-funk, which lives up the proceedings. Fun album which unfortunately loses a bit of steam towards the end. 3.5 rounded up.

Not as good as I expected

Chill

Sounds like receiving a haircut from a butt naked man. 6.5/10

Funky but catchy. As lil siddy said, “ Ts sounds like getting a haircut from a naked black barber”

Good album! With very instruments and the voice is rlly cool!

Didnt offend me, but didnt set my world on fire either. 2.5/5

Very interesting record, dealing with some „pulpy“ topics. The music mirrors this and gets darker and experimental, well at least in the cosmos of the Temptations. :D Fav: Runaway child, running wild

Jamais écouté avant. Top : Cloud Nine Flop : Hey Girl

cloud nine: 9/10 i heard it trough the grapevine: 6.50/10 runaway child, running wild: 8/10 love is a hurtin´thing: 9/10 hey girl: 9.70/10 why did she have to leave me: 8.40/10 i need your lovin´: 5.90/10 dont let him take tour love from me: 8/10 buena linea de bajo. i gotta find a way: 6/10 la ultima, muy largo: 7.50/10

I enjoyed this a lot, especially the more political/social comment stuff on the first side. Not a great version of 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine' though.

Good vibes! Funky motown action

Listened to this on a plane and it kept my spirits high, good stuff

Just a very happy album, impossible to not put a smile on your face

6/10

Nice album. Enjoyed but not exceptional. Solid 3

A pleasant, enjoyable album for the most part. Didn't find it to be much more than that, though. Just solidly OK/good. Overall: 3.2/5

Started off really interesting, then turned into a bunch of love songs. -_- At least some other albums on this list have done interesting things with instrumentation or vocal technique. Not this though. Nope. Just 35 minutes of "ooo baby, I love you but you don't love me, sob" (with the exception of "Cloud Nine" and "Runaway Child, Running Wild"). Of the three versions of "Heard it Through the Grapevine" I've heard - this is the weakest. What a bummer. I hoped for better. PS: I think I've realized the difference between the love songs I'm ok with and those that irritate me: authenticity. The love songs on Nick Cave's album are real: that dude is IN LOVE with his wife. The love songs on this album are marketing kitsch. They're put on to sell records. In a word: phony.

good would maybe listen again

more psychedelic than other temptations albums. hadn’t heard this version of “i heard it through the grapevine” before, wasn’t expecting so much whimsy, don’t know if they should be that pleased given the premise of the song. highlights: - runaway child, running wild - why did she have to leave me?

Bra!

Härligt funky. Kände inget specifikt som riktigt höjde det för mig, men en stark 3:a!

Velar med betyget, men känner att soundet är jäkligt najs och även om det inte är så mycket som sticker ut så känner jag att det är nåt jag vill komma tillbaka till i framtiden. Känns jäkligt cleant för sin tid!

Skön african amrican amblum 4/5

Jovars.

I am quite partial to a Motown album and enjoy many of them. This felt however, a bit ‘mid’, decent enough instrumentals and such but just sort of made decent background music and didn’t feel like it was anything special. ‘Cloud nine’ and ‘I gotta find a way’ were highlights but everything else just seemed a bit forgettable not bad just not special. I wasn’t keen on the grapevine cover, the original by Marvin Gaye is a phenomenal and very emotional heart felt song, which in this cover I think completely missed the meaning of the song by using a very upbeat instrumental which just seemed so wrong. Overall – Okay not bad but just very background music vibe, a low 3 star from me sort of a 2.5.

Just funky background music but not really my style and a few songs I actively wanted to skip. Like a 2.5 / 5. Round up to a 3/5.

SO GOOD FIVE STARS

Classic

I was a bit afraid there would be a lot of filler but no. It’s all quite groovy and fun. I love The Temptations. I saved the title track to my Generator playlist.

I was excited when I saw Cloud 9 come up. I don’t know loads about The Temptations, but every time I hear them, I end up loving it. This album doesn’t disappoint at all. It’s a great listen from start to finish. You’ve got standout tracks like the title track, Runaway Child, and their version of I Heard It Through the Grapevine, which is right up there with Marvin Gaye’s. The production is superb, the musicianship is top class, and the basslines in particular are brilliant. There are also a few longer jams on here that really work and give the album a different edge. It just feels like a band at the top of their game, trying new things and pulling it off. Favourite tracks: Cloud 9 is a great tune and the clear standout for me. Least favourite tracks: There isn’t a bad song on the album. Album artwork: Cool cover, very much of its time.

C'est funky et dynamique, on aime

C’est pas le meilleur J’ai un vinyle de ce groupe qui est plus sympa

Sympa

This album is by all interpretations, a transitional album both in its date of release (at the end of the 60s the cusp of the 1970s) and in the style of songs. the first half of the album has groovy funk rhythms that would become the bedrock of the 1970s soul funk genre while the second half of the album is the classic Motown sounds that the Temptations were known for.

It has that motown feel, which is fine. None of the songs really grabbed me. I didn't know psychedelic soul was a thing or that their fanbase would be annoyed by this "pivot" (doesn't sound like much of a pivot to me).

In the first half of the album, there are some songs that have a lush and experimental sound that reminds me more of the Isaac Hayes albums on this list, before shifting to a more traditional doo-wop soul in the second half of the album. Waffled between a 3 and 4, but bumped it up for sheer talent and the fact that the first few songs made me see a "known quantity" in what I feel like was a new light.

It's amazing to hear such an established act and sound try different things, yet retain so much of what makes them appealing. The funk-infused 'Cloud Nine' is such a crazy opener, and 'Runaway Child, Running Wild' is somehow even more ambitious - giving a Sly & the Family Stone-level of jamming, preaching, and urgency. The ballads can't compare to these two monster songs, but they're still solid - some flourished with Phil Spector wall of sound strings. A fun listen overall.

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

1

The first 2 or 3 tracks were great then it got rolling and was good

V good yes more

The problem with this album is that the last two thirds of the album virtually all make the same point and do the same thing. The first third was more ambitious in topic and style and promised a lot and then it became a bit repetitive in theme. I'm mostly happy with listening them do that but I feel like the album could have offered more ambition.

Smooth rythmn

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

Chilled

Game of two halves. Side one comes in with a bang. But side two goes out with a whimper. In footballing terms it might be an entertaining score draw. In 1001 terms that's 3*.

Forglemmelig.

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

Good

Wasn't feeling funky this morning.

Rv

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

Love how the Temptations went into a funkier direction. I prefer the next couple albums, more Papa was a Rolling Stone, but this is a fun listen.

Its good motown with a hint of funk coming in. I enjoyed it. Some parts got a little boring.

Listening session: march 19th, while commuting home from internship Listened to before: no Thoughts: I always love funk and motown and this album was really nice to listen to while sitting in the train and watching the sun set Favourite tracks: Runaway Child, Running Wild, Hey Girl & I Need Your Lovin’

Fun - enjoyed the funk / Motown but it lacks a tightness.

think I’d probs enjoy more with a few more listens

HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE Best Song: Cloud Nine Rating: 7.0/10 Stars: 4

It's good but it didn't put me on cloud nine.

This might just be my genre. Likes: Cloud Nine, Runaway Child Running Wild, Don’t Let Him Take Your Love From Me, I Gotta Find A Way

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

A fun mix of motown soul and 60s psych that peaks on the long instrumental jam at the end of side A, where you get the glorious Jamerson style bass and some great fuzzy guitar sounds combining for a heady bit of funk. The B side is classic but not especially inspired RnB - great vocal harmonies and more of that perfect bass but the schmaltzy strings drag it down a bit and the songs are mid.

6/10 - A fun album to have on in the house. I prefer the funk songs on the album to the more Motown/Soul songs but that’s a personal preference. Cloud Nine is a great song!

The album starts with a bang and then doesn't really do a whole lot the rest of the way. It's fine, 5/10

Motown's answer to psychedelia - if you can't beat 'em join 'em.

Love love love this Motown/funk sound. First half is banging, second half is fine.

Album Review 090 Cloud Nine by The Temptations (1969) Rating 4/5 1969 was the year that the peace and love “sound of Young America” grew up, realised the party was over and became a lot more cynical. On Cloud Nine, we hear the Temptations mirror this change as their sound moves from the poppy Motown roots to a heavier, funkier and darker style of music. The first half is a 5/5 masterpiece of cinematic soul but the momentum stumbles with side two. That’s not to say Cloud Nine isn’t a landmark record; it’s just an album that peaks too early, trading the force and spirit of the title track for a second half that feels like it’s searching for a direction it already found on Side A.

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

*Solid R&B album

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

Groovy, sticky, funky. The temptations deliver a solid project.

I liked the first half of this album, which is really the first three songs, more than the back half. The front is a bit more funk and psychedelia based whereas the rest is classic 60s soul. I don’t think the classic stuff is bad, just not nearly as interesting.

Very nice

4,5

5/5

Day 213 Nice enough harmonies, love putting one overly long song on an album don’t they? Highlights Cloud Nine Hey Girl

Seems to be a lot of these soul funk records on this list

The Temptations’ "Cloud Nine" is anchored by wonderful solo vocal performances and peerless harmony vocals, and the late 1960s production remains remarkably fresh decades later. The instrumentation, provided by Motown’s legendary in-house studio band, The Funk Brothers, is quite simply superb. The title track is a magnificent five-star opener. With its iconic wah-wah guitar intro and "gang vocals" - where all five members trade leads with breathless energy - it remains a definitive moment in both Motown and soul history. While the subsequent cover of 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' is a competent effort, it feels somewhat uninspired compared to the definitive versions. However, the momentum returns instantly with 'Run Away Child, Running Wild'. This epic five-star centrepiece is brilliant, featuring extended instrumental breaks, swirling organ riffs, and a gripping cautionary tale regarding the dangers of the street. Side One concludes as a potent mix: two funky masterpieces and one standard cover. The second side offers a different experience. The "Psych-Soul" ambition of the first half settles into a more traditional Motown sound. While it lacks the radical edge of the opening tracks, the execution is flawless, carrying all the classic hallmarks one expects from The Temptations. Though it is somewhat disappointing that the experimental energy of Side One isn't sustained throughout, the craftsmanship remains high. Four Stars. Side one 1 "Cloud Nine" (5/5) 2 "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (3/5) 3 "Run Away Child, Running Wild" (5/5) Side two 1 "Love is a Hurtin' Thing" (4/5) 2 "Hey Girl" (4/5) 3 "Why Did She Have to Leave Me (Why Did She Have to Go)" (3/5) 4 "I Need Your Lovin'" (3/5) 5 "Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me" (4/5) 6 "I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back)" (4/5) 7 "Gonna Keep on Tryin' till I Win Your Love" (3/5) Total - 38 Average - 3.8 270/1001 145/270 albums reviewed were new to me

Tento album má nezaujal prakticky ničím. Mám rád iné ich pesničky.

I’m a sucker for Motown and funk. Loved it

This is one of those examples of a record that I know is good, and know is highly regarded, but that doesn’t move the needle much for me. I just don’t love the falsetto singing, and lead vocals go a long way towards whether I’ll enjoy a band. So it’s a good sound, but not my cup of tea. 3/5

This was wonderful. That's was just so much depth in the music

Great record. The Temptations are awesome. I think most people just know them for their Smoky cover album and their doowop style tunes, which are great, but this shows a more down and dirty side of the group. The love ballads are still there, the strings and great musical production but also here are the references to The Struggle. The parts of life which are hard and rough, but are made better through finding love (or losing it). Great, timeless music that I think is one of the best showcases of purely American art that’s ever been created.

interesting album. the first half is like funk soul ala later marvin gaye, sly stone and then the second half is back to what you know the temptations to be. not sure about that "grapevine" version tho...

Nice funky R&B.

Not only are these guys getting cheated on, but they're also being really pathetic about it.

No es mi estilo at all. Música de fondo

Found it fine. The Temptations are solid R&B Motown. The latter half just kinda petered out into the generic.

Psychedelic soul 🎶

Actually peak wtf

will listen later

Good funk with a psychedelic twist. 3/5 would listen to it again.

Okay

Oh yeah. This one is pretty good. The temptations are a great vocal group.

Экспериментальный соул какой то

I wasn't expecting the strange extended plea for mommy, but otherwise some great bass-heavy deep cuts.

Left me cold.

Amé

Nice album but a bit middle of the road

super awesome heartbreak album

My Temptations knowledge is very sporadic, mostly centring around their Motown output with David Ruffin. Following his departure, the group move away here from their classic Motown sound, embracing orchestral and psychedelic soul and leading to the records highlight, the 9 minute _Runaway Child, Runnin Wild_. It's a solid album, perhaps a little inconsistent in places but well worth a listen

Good

Good times

Classic for a reason

This genre isn't my cup of tea YET. But i really did enjoy the title track and some other songs

I like this style of music although on this album I am not as keen on the sort of serious stuff, I much prefer the how do I win my baby back pop stuff…. Also disappointed that they have included the worst cover of I Heard It Through The Grape Vine that may ever have been released on record . Overall decent 3.1

Really good. So much energy and so many ear worms. Track 3 is a bit unnecessarily long but other than that its a really strong record.

Not too keen on this. Felt like it was the same track over and over again. Even dipping in song at a time didn’t feel that there was much of a difference. This one isn’t for me.

I have no trouble listening to the temptations which is weird... -Mitch Hedberg

Finally some Motown/funk/RnB. This felt refreshing and fun despite some of the sadder themes on the album.

Motown baby! Holy cow, the history of this band is nuts. So many members, so many changes. Drugs and alcohol will do that. It keeps amazing me how these bands exist for so long. I feel like every album I've listened to so far could have it's own show/movie.

It pains me that I would add this to the 1K1 Albums That Are Good But It's Fine If You Never Hear Them list. The Temptations are an amazing group worthy of praise. In fact this album really showcases their growth after the change in personnel. This is also their slide into psychedelica. My point is that this is good. Great even. But it doesn't hit like their older Motown material. It doesn't have that same impact both sonically and socially.

The temps start with a answer to the direction taken by Marvin, but it's all a bit full on. Luckily they resort to type after the horror of Runaway Child spoken part and Grapevine filler

Two contrasting sides, with their new style on side 1 and the older style on side 2. The funkier first side is more interesting, although I am not sure we needed to hear the crying child in Runaway Child, Running Wild

Derivative pop made worse by strings

Much though I understand The Temptations impact on music, overall I find the music bland. I don't generally like singers in the higher registers. So while this is deserving of the list, it's meh for me.

This one surprised me. Thought it was Shaft. Funky Motown. I dug it!

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

Well yes

if I listen to an album while doing other stuff on my pc or around the house and not once do I think 'hey this part is actually really nice, let me save this song' then it can't get much higher than a 2 unfortunately. It was ok? very funky and easy to listen to but very forgettable all the same.

Alright but nothing more

woooooooooooow

me gustó mucho, no me cambió la vida pero me dejó un re buen mood. tiene un clima muy lindo y lo volvería a escuchar.

I prefer the older more classic line up of the Temptations- this album isn’t bad, it just doesn’t hit like the earlier stuff.

Cloud Nine - starts of the album with a simple but effective lick. Raw, powerful, soulful vocals to a driving tempo. D minor. Grapevine - same soulfulness, more of a motown feel. Even beats, good bassline, call and response vocals as classic hallmarks. C blues. Good falsetto work Runaway Child - More soul / psychadelic, especially the intro. This walks a fine line between soul and motown because you have some call-response elements, but the vibe is overall more soul-like. The crying child in the middle of the song is highly jarring, which is probably what they were going for? I'm also getting the vibe of a jam, like they keep going back to that basic lick and then other instruments are phasing in. Love is a Hurtin' Thing - Stark contrast to the last song. Good horn section and falsetto usage. C MAJOR (as opposed to C blues), sweeping strings. Departure from Funk and Motown, more of soul and honestly maybe even R&B. Lyrics are simple and straightforward -- bass and falsetto voices alternate lyrically to represent the duality of the emotions the singer is feeling. Hey Girl - More upbeat and 60's feeling. Why did She Have to Leave Me - A swinging beat, C major, Four Seasons vibe with the background falsetto vocals. Raspy lead vocals, more dependency on strings, but still has a great bassline. I Need Your Lovin' - Unremarkable. Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me - Back into funk from motown with the vocals, still has that call and response aspect though. Enjoyable possessory love song, I guess. I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back) - Upbeat and hopeful vibe, really fun song and motivating. Would be good in a movie. Keep on Tryin' - good ending song, but otherwise unremarkable.

Sadly not my favorite album to listen to. Not bad though

, nothing blowing me away. Very pleasant listening 3.6/5

Pretty solid Motown offering. Starts strong, but kinda fades away down the stretch. It’s only like 35 minutes, so the fading away on the back end didn’t last long. Vocals and harmonies are top-notch, as is the calling card of Motown soul. Would be a perfect 3.5 candidate, but with this system I’ll give it the bump to a low 4/5. It’s too well put together to slide down to a 3.

Very nice stuff indeed. Fantastic vocals, lush production. Maybe not something I'd listen to on the regular, but absolutely deserving of 4 stars minimum.

Love it!!!

las vibras son excelentes me recuerda a romcoms viejas los instrumentos quedan perfectos todos las voces de los tipos y todo el recorrido del álbum esta muy bueno, lo único q se me hizo un poco repetitivo cuando iba por la mitad aprox

It’s good

One of the better albums from them.

I liked this album way more than other albums I’ve heard from them. Groovy and soulful. Couple songs I disliked but they all flowed well together.

Now this album was more of what I expected from the temptations, very funky and a good groove. Cloud nine and runaway child running wild were standout tracks.

A fine mix of soulful, groovy, and funky tunes. Lots of great vocals featured.

Pretty funky stuff and good to see the Temps kept it real in the late 60s.

good album, i enjoyed listening to it. 4

Generally dig and respect The Temptations, but I didn't connect with this album is any meaningful way. Nothing wrong with it, but not really my cup of tea. Objectively, probably pretty dope.

Good

Cloud Nine was a respond to the times especially the times Sly & the Family Stone burned up the charts with their brand of funky psychedelic soul. Otis Williams and company delivered one of the best albums of 1969 with Cloud Nine's dramatic and polarizing update to their sound and style. Groovy, man! Sometimes a change will do you right!

It was a fine listen, but already forgot about how it sounded the next day writing this review. Not memorable for me.

So this album did kinda blend into the background for me, I can't really say I gave it full attention. In that sense, it didn't grab my attention by being amazing, but it also didn't grab my attention by being awful. It did grab my attention with the "I want my momma" crying bit in "Runaway Child, Running Wild", that was probably my least favourite bit of the whole album. The bits I actively listened to were funky, upbeat, jazzy, enjoyable. All perfectly pleasant. The vocals were good. Lyrics were generic. Instrumentation was good though could have used a bit of variety. No complaints bar the runaway child bit. Perfectly good background music. Straight 3.

Literally nothing to say about this album. The only thing is that this came out late 60s so maybe it was the first album to achieve this sound? Because this sounds very generic by today's standards. It was very bizarre to cap each song at 3 minutes and then just have a random 9 minute song. High 2

The Temptations of Cloud Nine aren't at all the Temptations I was familiar with ("My Girl"). Nothing wrong with "My Girl" pop, but this psychedelic soul phase is much more in my wheelhouse. Kicking off with the title track and its distortion and wah-pedal guitars, congas, definitely more funky than "My Girl." Side two gets more like the conventional Motown version of the Temptations. String arrangements, horns, clean guitars, bouncing baselines. Top notch Motown stuff, but not surprising like the psych-funk first side. Highs: "Cloud Nine" and "Runaway Child, Running Wild." The latter is hypnotically groovy, with a 9 and a half minute runtime. Lows: really didn't care for this psychedelic version of "I Heard it through the Grapevine." Just seemed murky in comparison with Gladys Knight or Marvin Gaye's classic cuts, and it doesn't develop the improvisational groove that CCR did later. New Appreciation: Haven't heard any of these track before, but the whole psychedelic soul phase of The Temptations is definitely something I want to explore further. Dig it.

Listening to the Temptations automatically makes you cool.

This was a very fun album. End to end listen

I never knew this funkier version of the Temptations existed! Sounds like the Motown dudes wanted to throw some Sly and the Family Stone grit into their usually polished sound. There are some good tunes here… but I still prefer the honied harmonies.

C'était pas mal

Good stuff, Maynard.

Fun to listen to, none of the classics I've enjoyed in the past from this motown group.

It was pretty alright

Pretty solid background music

i dont have much to say abt it, its jus good soul

It was OK ! Honestly I have heard better from this time period...... Some of the renditions were not super great . The 10 minute song is sort of baffling. But most of it is solid.

It was cool took me back in time

On the whole an enjoyable album to hear. I didn't care for the cover of "Heard It Through The Grapevine" and what was up with the crying "I want my mama" in "Runaway Child, Running Wild", but I really liked "Gonna Keep On Tryin' Til I Win Your Love" and I liked "Hey Girl" so much I had to repeat the song a couple of times.

Really lovely harmonies, great version of heard it through the grapevine

Interesting enough but can't help but think about label interference

Really liked this. A lot of it faded into the background but I enjoyed what I heard.

Ok as background music. This versions of grapevine is the worst I’ve heard. The whole record is oddly boring for all the histrionic singing. And like with a lot of Motown recordings the backing band are the best thing here but aren’t named.

I dug this; very fun and breezy. Not a lot of surprises stylistically if you’ve heard their bigger songs, but it was a good time.

It was fine.

First time I ever listened to this album. Cloud Nine is a great song and a I really loved Gonna Keep on Tryin' Till I Win Your Love. In between it's pretty good. An okay cover of I Heard It Through the Grapevine. Runaway Child is really funky but a bit overlong. The rest are fine. Not my favorite Temptations album but very solid.

Really good, upbeat album. Love Is A Hurtin' Thing was my song of the album with Runaway Child, Running Wild and Hey Girl being my other highlights

Really wanted to like this, but the songs are just "ok"

It’s solid but perhaps controversially I think this version of ‘I heard it on the grapevine’ is one of the weaker versions of the 1000 or so versions on the generator good tho 3/5

Great vibe, very soul and funky. Something I could definitely get in the mood for every now and then!

A truly great group. A really good album.

This was pretty lackluster for me. I feel like there are a lot stronger Motown albums and songs, even by this group. But still a classic sound and easy listening. Top Songs: Hey Girl, I Heard it through the Grapevine

I enjoyed the sound but didn't really find many of the melodies interesting. I wish I liked this more.

3.0 Yup its the Temptations, alright

Wouldn't listen to it again, but it was certainly an interesting first album. Hopefully things go up from here.

love the funk

Good. Classic. I was tempted.

This is a classic, no doubt. The Temptations are a treasure. That said, overall, there is just a bit too much cheese factor for me. A solid choice for so many reasons. It's just not entirely my bag.

Smooth vocals, pure talent, great album.

Just like pretty boring unfortunately?

Can hear the beginning of disco and funk

Baselines. Pretty good album, fun bass lines and crazy raspy vocals - could see myself playing this whilst I’m making a fire bolognese. Would like to buy on vinyl for sure.

So cool. RYM: N Saved a song: N

Just wasn’t hitting right for me yesterday. I love their classics though 🤷‍♀️.

This is good! One song is too long

I thought this was going to be all sugar pie this and honey bunch that. And I like that kind of cheesy Motown but it's really just oldies/wedding music to me. Instead, this was darker, grittier, funkier. Beautiful collection of voices, beautiful orchestration. Loved it. Toward the end it got a little filler-y

6.9/10 Pretty charming late 60s soul album, definitely will add a few tracks to my playlist but it isn’t groundbreaking. Favorite song: I need your livin’ Least favorite: I heard it through the grapevine (not bad but I’d rather listen to other versions)

Fantastic album, and I didn't know until last year that the Heard It Through the Grapevine was originally performed by the Temptations, not CCR. It's short and good, but not an "incredible" album for me, even as a fan of the Temptations.

Def old sounding jazz but I loved it especially runaway child.

You get what you think you’ll get! These guys are wonderful listening but the sound is a little repetitive in album format. 3.5

Toe Tappers

The funkier jams are great, otherwise it's what you would expect from a Temptations album. The vocal talent is great, but all the songs start to feel the same 3.5

Easy listening, nicely produced funk. Middling but good. The kind of group you could throw on and people would have a good time to.

Not really my bag but will put that to the side for now.  Strengths are the solid vocal delivery, and it avoids being too lifeless or overly soul by having a little bite to it.  Bottom line for me I don't mind the funky bass line and even the allure of a silky soul singer, but this in the end is too straight for me.  It doesn't have a decent variety of songs to my ear and just bouncing along nicely isn't enough to be a cut above the rest.  Weak 3.

A very pleasant funk and soul album by the Temptations. I can't really claim to have been moved at all by this. Just an overriding feeling of "this is quite cool" but nothing more. I highly rated earlier albums but this one felt like it wasn't doing anything that they hadn't already done.

Fajne tło, troche jazzowe jak na mój mózg, posłuchałabym jeszcze raz.

Ble lurt til å tro at plata skulle være mer interessant pga førstelåta. Den er bra, men hvorfor skal denne være bedre enn utallige andre Motown-plater?

Ganske nice, men ingen store høydepunkt.

Litt kjedelig sjanger, men helt greit

Egentlig fak av Motown, men kjedet meg litt her.

Like det nesten veldig godt. Blir litt smooth for min smak. Men ja, forstår at man kan like plata.

Hørt på det minste flyet til Widerøe på vei mot Lakselv. Utrolig sterk start med tittellåta, og Runaway child, Running Wild. Så faller egentlig interessen min mer og mer for hver ‘your lovin’. Håper han vant ‘your love’ til slutt, det ble dessverre ikke ‘’my lovin’ i hvertfall.

Er vel på lista på grunn av I Heard It Through the Grapevine. Resten av plata er ganske standard, men de gjør en del sprø ting også. Ikke så verst!

At time the vocals tested me.

Its a bit samey. Not bad, but i don't see the allure.

Awesome album!! The Funk/Soul just as I like. Love the Temptation Songs I like: Love is a hurt in’ thing, Why did she have to leave me, I need your lovin’, Keep on trying,

The start of the Motown shift to counter cultural themes with the drug influenced title track. Soul and funk permeate throughout, the rather over long third track looks forward to ‘papa was a rollin’ stone’. The second half seems more traditional in terms of style. The sound of 1969 black music encompassed in 35 minutes.

- Another band with a history of abuse towards women (before this album?), but since it's a new singer here after they kicked the other guy out, I was thinking maybe this album should get a pass, but 1. They did try to bring the other guy back for a minute or two, and (more importantly) 2. The lyrics of the songs have a "hey little baby girl, I sucked, but I need you, so how about you don't leave this abusive relationship? No? I'll keep harassing you until you give in, even though you've moved on and are with someone else!" vibes. Dude, just leave her alone. Gross. - The lead singer has a nice gravelly voice. The other guy with the high voice is rough - so strained, thin, and out of tune. - The instrumentation has a pretty chill/laid back vibe with a nice groove/bass, especially. - Most of Side A bored me (the title track was definitely the highlight) -- the cover of I Heard It Through The Grapevine isn't even catchy, and no thanks to a forgettable song being almost 10 min long and including an "I want my mommy" thing, ugh? - Side B is more standard Motown, but it is still pretty boring and continues with the problematic lyrics throughout. I don't think I'll remember any of the songs, and I'm definitely not adding this album to my collection. - I was considering a 2 at first when I hadn't listened to the lyrics, but the coercive & infantilizing lyrics are a hard no.

Usually not a fan of funk and soul but I find this pleasant to listen to.

fun

not the album I'd recommend as way to hype up this classic motown band

3 - Always fun, funky and suave. Not my fav work of theirs but Runaway Child is such a hit. Great album for a lil weekend get together

This album is a breath of fresh air. It is soulful. The vocals are smooth and the instrumental is hypnotic. I love their version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine. Just great music.

This was a great album. But I feel like it was missing something to really put it over the top as a masterpiece. Not intended to be a knock, just why I'm not giving it a 5

cool album. Temptations made a lot of great music, especially the early stuff. This was late 60s, so it was bit funkier and slightly darker in feel.

Muito bom. Energia boa demais.

Great psychedelic soul album, I need a better copy though.

Another temptations album.. cant go wrong but like Ive had enough

By the time we get to the reasonably typical side two, the world of The Temptations has already changed forever. This is the beginning of their Psych-Soul era. Norman Whitfield had been in the producers chair on previous occasions, but this is where he really starts to take the reins. Side one opens a lot of new doors in the Motown world. The attitude on the opening title track is way ahead of its time matched perhaps only by JB and of course Sly&tFS at the time. The vibe carries on through a funked up Heard it Through the Grapevine and peaks in the album’s centrepiece Run Away Child, Running Wild which not only pushes boundaries but stretches out for nearly 10 mins. After this, Side two’s consistently quality, but decidedly familiar pop can only feel anticlimactic. However, this was to be but the start of a new era, and side one’s explorations were expanded upon throughout albums that were to follow.

Great groove, energy and feel. Just quite simply The Temptations. Not particularly blown away by it, but it’s a vibe and would happily have on at various points. Interesting take on Grapevine, think I’m still with the original! Can’t remember fully absorbing each track but a classic 3.5. Good at what it does, clear quality, but not blown away, personally (3.5)

Tämähän oli ihan mukavaa, kevyttä sieluisaa kuunneltavaa. Ei mitään feivorittia, mutta ei mitenkään luotaantyöntävää. Bassolaulaja toi mieleen south parkin chefin :happythonking:

Kyllähän tästä tämmösestä tulee vain hyvä mieli. Kotona kuunnellessa ja puuhatessa tuntu niinku olis ollu jossain salapoliisi/etsiväelokuvassa.

The first half of the album is some very forward thinking (for 1969) funk / soul fusion that was so much fun to hear. The second half was very standard Motown. Still amazing, I mean, it's the Temptations. It did feel like a bit of a letdown after the first 3 tracks.

It’s not a front to back classic in my opinion but it’s a very good album. Not one that I would necessarily return to time and time again but there are quite obviously moments of genius on there. A great little Sunday morning cleaning my house kind of listen. I like it. A solid LP.

Smooth and great. Saved a few songs and would definitely enjoy again

Runaway child running wild carries the album from a 2 to a 3 and it still feels like I’m underrating even though I only enjoy that and the opener

This was part of my youth! My kind of music

Previously rated: #948 - All Directions (4/5) ****************************** Album #1,034 I guess this is when they started moving into the funkedelic sound, starting with the title track, which sounds good, but man what a terrible message. Does your life suck? Kicked out of the house and can't find a job? Do drugs and get high out of your mind -- that'll make it all better! The album has a couple of social isssues songs and the rest love songs, all done well, sung well, very solid album overall.

De eerste helft begon goed met lekker langdradige funk. Later kwam toch de klassieke motown sound wat meer naar voren en die vond ik in dit geval iets minder werken. 7/10

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

These fellas can sing and the music is funky AF but there aren't a look of hooky songs on this.

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

Really need a rating for this? Come on, anything with the name Temptations deserves nothing less than a...

again, not a genre i really listen to. didn't mind as background music but probs wouldn't listen to again.

Great album. Amazing voice!

Not my vibe but musically good

this i fw with

I was dancing in my seat during work hours. Not an album I’m adding to regular rotation, but it was a fun listen. 4/5.

These guys are soo good

nice background music

As a certified gym bro I approve this album for listening while doing a working out

Great, classic R&B album. Besides "Heard it through the Grapevine," nothing else super stood out as memorable, but it was all very good. I can't speak to the influence in this genre, but I can tell the quality.

Not a bad album, but not as good as I thought it would be. Fine to listen to.

U ovoj fazi mi imaju sjajnih dugih psych funk pjesama

Det her va ikke så verst morsomt å høre på, og til og med når dem har spilt ferdig den ene sangen æ kan huske å ha hørt før (Cloud Nine) likte æ det.

Nothing in here really jumps out without ever being unpleasant or bad. I don’t think I’ll return to that.

nothing crazy on this but was alright

no bad

This is a Temptations I haven't heard before. Coming in strong from the start with a new funk vibe that compliments their harmonies and new songs quite well. It even gives new life to Heard It Through The Grapevine. I'm sure Berry Gordy lost his mind when he first heard these tracks. Eventually the album slides into a more familiar and comfortable Motown sound with only the occasional funk embellishment.

Never listened to this before, there are some wonderful tracks on it, feel like I’m going to have quite a few 3.5 Motown albums in this list, I am more likely to listen to this again than Marvin Gaye so put this slightly ahead of that.

Grittier than I expected, especially the earlier tracks

Meh. Although might be more about my mood 😃

Short and sweet, hard to beat, loved it.

Easy listening. I liked the "I heard it through the grapevine" version.

I think I’m just going to like everything they do. Motown just sounds like happiness

A fair selection but not adding up to anything memorable.

A groovy, and on the whole, snappy party record which doesn't let up in propulsion and energy. They have a wonderful, natural, genial vibe and know how to put on a show. This is mixed up with some surprising psychedelic qualities. The second half is my favourite as II find the 10 minute Run Away Child overpowering on side one. I prefer them keeping things quick and light.

Another 4 for the temptations for me, definitely a fan and love the slightly more psych elements on here

7/10

Surprised that I actually quite liked this

Smooth

Standard fair is good fair man.

So theatrical, instrumentals are grand and I’m not sure if there’s 20 members but so many different voices that it feels like you’re in the middle of a play. Really cool.

Me gustó

7,5/10 ani jednu jsem neskipla, kratke a zajimave, dlouhe kytarove sola

I generally like The Temptations so I am excited to listen to this. I feel like I have been lacking with time to do this but I am trying because this project means a lot to me. I am three tracks in and it is pretty good so far, I am enjoying it. I will say it is a different sound than I am accustomed to for this band.I have enjoyed this album very much.

Ca s'écoute fort bien, dommage qu'il y ait quelques reprises moyennes au milieu.

Very soulful, very groovy, i quite liked it, especially Runaway Child, Running Wild

Need to listen again. Good blues and soul

Ok album. Not my favourite version of grapevine.

Meh, cool cover but a worse version of Grapevine. Cool intro spy music. TWO!

I can’t believe this is the best example of this kind of music. Every song felt the same and very uninteresting. Apple Music auto played the four tops straight after which I immediately liked more. Maybe it would better if I heard the songs individually.

Track 1 - Cloud Nine Excellent start. Love a bit of Motown. Early contender for 4-5 stars. Track 2 - I Heard It Through The Grapevine Bold choice for a cover. Let’s have a listen then…. Soiled it. Soiled it. Soiled it. Soiled it. Soiled it. Soiled it. Soiled it. Soiled it.

El funk/soul con un toque psicodélico de la época y unas capas vocales tan bien ejecutadas y producidas hacen de este disco una experiencia divertida, intensa, bailable y llena de sonidos y texturas que te hacen querer estar con los músicos de The Temptations tocando junto con ellos, o al menos bailando y cantando, esas canciones. La calidad interpretativa y de ensamblaje de cada músico, sumada con la alta producción de Norman Whitfield hacen de cada canción una experiencia musical increíble. Gran disco.

Nice groove and playing. I just keep hearing Papa was a Rolling Stone though!

The Temptations for 9 songs on this album: wow! 🤯 Love sure is crazy!! 🫨 The highs put you on cloud nine 🥰⛅ and the lows can drive you wild! 😓🤪 The Temptations for 10 unrelated minutes on this album: kids, get ready for the funkiest psychedelic jam you'll ever hear about why you shouldn't run away from home.

I've never heard any soul music from earlier than the 70's and I must say I've enjoyed Cloud Nine a lot. It has a really nice rougher, raw sound to it, and feels full of emotion. I really like the psychedelic undertones it has as well. I also really liked the dramatic orchestral sound of "I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back)", it definitely stood out to me. Favorite Song: "I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back)"

Ok 2.5

Wowza!

To be honest it wasn't very notable None of the songs on it were that appealing to me, but I didn't hate it. I would be happy to listen to it again but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it though

chill

Soooooo groovy and just great overall vibes. Love it.

Overall enjoyed it, although found Side A to be more memorable.

Fun!

Fun and funky! Would listen again and add a bunch of songs to my monthly playlist. Fave so far: Why Did She Have To Leave Me

incredible, amazing, never been done before or since. The pathos! The harmony! Short stories, most of these songs.

Some songs I really liked and some just weren’t my thing! but for the most part its good

⭐⭐⭐ Det här borde vara helt min grej men känner inte att det biter riktigt. Albumet börjar starkt med Cloud Nine som är riktigt bra, sen kommer I heard it through the grapewine som har gjorts betydligt bättre av andra. Därefter lyfter det inte riktigt. Tycker det saknas spår som riktigt sticker ut.

Fine stuff

Amazing vocals, but I didn't love it.

Very good! I feel like a lot of albums from this time have a track that is sort of pedagogical like “runaway child,” but I’m not sure they’ve aged well

Another one for a specific mood, but enjoyable

I like the songs here, but there's something off on the arrangements. Something slowed down, or the orchestration is too symphonic or something.

01) Cloud Nine - 7,5 02) I Heard It Through the Grapevine - 7,5 03) Run Away Child, Running Wild - 7,5 04) Love is a Hurtin' Thing - 7,0 05) Hey Girl - 7,0 06) Why Did She Have to Leave Me (Why Did She Have to Go) - 7,0 07) I Need Your Lovin' - 7,0 08) Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me - 7,0 09) I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back) - 6,5 10) Gonna Keep on Tryin' till I Win Your Love - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,10 (71/100) Current ranking: 435/796

Back half fades a bit but this is a solid album of funky Motown goodness. Not quite as good as All Directions but there are bangers on here, especially the title track and Runaway Child Running Wild are stand outs.

I liked this one

Nice. 3,5.

They don't make em like this anymore