The Undisputed Truth - Face To Face With The Truth (1972) and Law Of The Land (1973)

The second and third albums by the Undisputed Truth saw more crossover with the work of the Temptations, with versions of "You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth," "Ungena Za Ulimwengu," "Friendship Train," "Law Of The Land" and "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone." Much of the other material on these albums also consisted of covers, with highlights including an extended version of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," and a rather attractive reading of Lori Lieberman's "Killing Me Softly With His Song" (completely overshadowed by Roberta Flack's Grammy-winning version released at almost the same time).

Album info. from Discogs:

Face To Face With The Truth

Law Of The Land

The Undisputed Truth - The Undisputed Truth (1971)

The Undisputed Truth came together as a trio in 1970. Original members were Joe Harris (formerly of the Preps, and involved with the Ohio Players in the 60's), and Billy Rae Calvin and Brenda Joyce (previously with the Delicates, and back-up singers for Diana Ross, the Four Tops and Edwin Starr). The "project" was backed by Norman Whitfield, the famous Motown producer, who at the time was also reworking and reshaping the Temptations. The Undisputed Truth were always seen as something of a warm-up-band, with Whitfield using them to experiment on his psychedelic soul ideas (a number of Temptations songs were also recorded by this group); however, their work has merit in its own right, with great musicality and vocal quality. Highlights of "The Undisputed Truth," their debut album, include "Smiling Faces Sometimes" (which reached #3 on the R&B charts), "California Soul" and the hyper-extended, 11-minute "Ball Of Confusion."

To Discogs for album info:

The Undisputed Truth

Marvin Gaye - In Our Lifetime (1981)

"In Our Lifetime" was Marvin Gaye's last release with Motown. Recorded in L.A., Honolulu and London, the album was the end product of his re-work of the "Love Man" album, and a return to the serious, concept style of "What's Going On." The album cover, designed by Neil Breeden, visually depicts both the inner turmoil Gaye had been going through the past few years (two marriage break-ups, the loss of fans when "Here, My Dear" bombed), and his worries/questions about religion, peace, war, ecology, pollution, and particularly the nuclear issue. The break up with Motown came when the label released their own re-edit of the album, based on a rough mix received from bassist Frank Blair, without Marvin's okay. Sales of "In Our Lifetime" were poor despite critical acclaim, and the album was all but forgotten until being released on CD in 1994. In 2007, a limited edition, double CD was released with three "versions" of the album: the Motown version, Marvin's own Odyssey Studios mix, and the unreleased "Love Man" recordings.

Album info. at Discogs:

In Our Lifetime

CD available from Amazon Marketplace:

(amazon.com) In Our Lifetime: Final Motown Sessions

(amazon.ca) In Our Lifetime: Final Motown Sessions

(amazon.co.uk) In Our Lifetime: Final Motown Sessions

Commodores - Movin' On (1975)

The Commodores met as freshmen at the Tuskegee Institute (now University) in 1968, and were signed to Motown in 1972 after opening several shows for the Jacksons. Although best known now for soft ballads like "Easy" and "Three Times A Lady," the group started out in much more of a hard funk/soul vein. It was only with "Zoom," their fifth album released in 1977, that Lionel Richie took a more prominent role in writing and performance and the group began the shift to a adult contemporary, pop style. "Movin' On," the group's third album, charted at #29 on the Billboard Album chart and #7 on the R&B chart. The single "Sweet Love," a soulful, gospel-influenced number, reached #5 on the pop and #2 on the R&B charts, becoming the group's first top ten hit. The more gutsy, funky "Mary, Mary," "(Can I) Get A Witness" and "Gimme My Mule" are also strong efforts.

Album info. here:

Movin' On

A Motown Special Disco Album (1977)

Motown hit the doldrums in the mid 70's after moving their headquarters from Detroit to Los Angeles. It could be argued that Disco saved Motown, starting in 1976 when at one point they had 6 releases in the top 10. The move to 12" DJ Promo singles started in 1974 when Tom Moulton started producing ten and eleven minute grooves that proved very popular in club land. This collection contains 12" versions of some massive hits, which would have been reason enough to buy the album, but the cover (art by Helene Majera) undoubtedly also enhanced sales.

Info. from Discogs:

A Motown Special Disco Album

Eddie Kendricks - Goin' Up In Smoke (1976)

Eddie Kendricks was one of the founding members of The Temptations. He was responsible for vocal arrangements, and he also managed wardrobe. In performance, he mostly sang harmony, but he lead or shared lead on several of the group's hits. He left the band in 1971 as he was increasingly uncomfortable with the "psychedelic" direction the band was taking. Of the 9 solo albums he put out in the 70's, this is perhaps the best, though some might argue that 1972's "People... Get Ready" or 1975's "He's A Friend" should have that honour.

Track info. available at Discogs:

Goin' Up In Smoke

Marvin Gaye - Love Man (1979)

An album closely associated with the "In Our Lifetime" project. Marvin's original idea was to put out an album of love songs for the disco set (called "Love Man"), but he had second thoughts and shifted attention to love lost and a coming Armageddon. Songs already recorded got new titles and lyrics, and were released as "In Our Lifetime." "Love Man" was never officially released, and "In Our Lifetime" ended up forcing the break-up between Marvin and Motown (Motown remixed and renamed the album - removing the question mark - without Marvin's permission). The original "Love Man" tracks were released with the 2-disk, extended edition of "In Our Lifetime?"

More info available here:

In Our Lifetime? (Expanded Love Man Edition)