BEST OF/20TH CENT V2 |

Compilation producer: Harry Weinger.
Digitally remastered by Suha Gur (Universal Music Studios East).
It's sad, but it must be said: Volume One of the Temptations' entry in the 20TH CENTURY MASTERS series covers 8 years and is an unbelievably tight collection of the group's highest moments. Volume Two covers nearly three full decades and feels a little padded. Of course, the high points are among the highest of the group's entire career, with "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" and "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" easily among the finest pop songs of the '70s and "Ball of Confusion" and "Psychedelic Shack" not far behind. After the mid '70s, however, when personnel and producer shakeups compounded the general sense of malaise that surrounded Motown in that era, the Temptations were largely adrift, and this 11-song collection only features three post-'75 tunes, the highlight being the funky "Standing on the Top," a cool collaboration with Tempts disciple (and stalwart member Melvin Franklin's nephew) Rick James.

• Released: 2000-01-11
• Format: CD
• Genre: R&B