Reflections

Don't call it a comeback, because it sure isn't. But then again, the Temptations never went away. On the contrary, they've been quietly churning out record after record, with the quality being surprisingly high for an act with such longevity. Granted, this isn't the classic Motown lineup everyone's accustomed to hearing, as Otis Williams is the only original member still performing. Reflections finds the band digging back into the Motown songbook, the very book that they helped to make famous, for this 15-song offering. Every single one of these tracks was a bona fide soul smash in its heyday, and the group treats them all with delicate reverence. The production is highly polished and contemporary, adding a layer of gloss and sheen that takes away from the raw delivery of the originals, but trying to re-create the sound of Studio A would also be a high crime itself. Production values aside, this is the sound of a group long past paying its dues and feeling the need to prove anything to anyone. The Temptations are simply having fun in the studio, which translates very well in the vocal performances. ~ Rob Theakston