MOTOWN FUNK ESSENTIA

Undisputed Truth: Billie Rae Calvin, Joyce Evans, Joe Harris, Taka Boom, Virginia McDonald, Tyrone Douglas, Tyrone Berkeley, Calvin Stephenson. Additional personnel: Norman Whitfield (arranger): The Funk Brothers. Producer: Norman Whitfield. Compilation producers: Harry Weinger, Rickey Vincent. Recorded between 1970 & 1975. Includes liner notes by Rickey Vincent. This is part of Motown's "Funk Essentials" series. Liner Note Author: Rickey Vincent. Unknown Contributor Role: Weldon McDougal III. While "Smiling Faces Sometimes" was unquestionably their biggest commercial success, the Undisputed Truth had many an underground soul circuit success with other hits over their decade-long career. This compiles a dozen of their greatest hits, starting with the aforementioned big hit and tearing through to Whitfield compositions that would become hits for other bands, "Ball of Confusion" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." The group members leave no room to question whether they were talented or not, as song after song they exemplify how in sync they were with one another and feature extended song workouts similar in vein to early Parliament jam sessions. This is nowhere near as thorough as 2002's Essential Collection, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, as only die-hard fans would be interested in that much comprehensive material. This would be an ideal place for curious listeners to familiarize themselves with the Undisputed Truth's career. ~ Rob Theakston