Undisputed Truth - Essential Collection

As is usually the case, Motown's European division and its licensors
have been more active than their American counterparts, which is why
this 19-song, 78-minute compilation surfaced in 2002, a year before
the U.S.-issued 12-song Smiling Faces: The Best of the Undisputed Truth.
All 14 of the singles that were issued in America are represented,
along with selected B-sides and album tracks, for a slightly more
comprehensive overview of the group's output -- "Ball of Confusion
(That's What the World Is Today)" and "Poontang" are missing, but
in their place are some equally worthy cuts, mostly notably the group's
poignant nine-minute rendition of "What's Going On." Obviously, along
with being a cross-section of the group's sound, this compilation gives
us a good look at Norman Whitfield's altering sensibilities, and the
changes that American soul underwent during the four years represented.
By 1972, the Undisputed Truth had moved into louder, bolder, more
funk-oriented sounds (with the exceptions of "Smiling Faces Sometimes,
" "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," and their version of "What's Going On");
away from socially significant songs, and into more of a pure dance mode
-- not that these aren't extraordinary dance productions; they are. Most
notable is "Law of the Land," with its pounding, larger-than-life rhythm
section and swooping, soaring orchestral accompaniment. The sound is excellent
throughout, especially on the later cuts. The solo electric guitar on
"What's Going On," with its mix of trills and rhythm fills, is virtually
isolated on its own separate channel, and is almost worth the price of the
disc by itself. Its presence here is also a subtle tribute to Whitfield's
influence on Motown: he was, after all, responsible for convincing Berry Gordy
that there was room for two different hit versions of "I Heard It Through
the Grapevine," when Gordy thought there wasn't room for one, and the original
"What's Going On" was another case of Gordy almost missing the boat on something
new, daring, important, and wonderful, and here was a sincere attempt to reshape
that song from the bottom up. Only on the later tracks, such as "UFO's,"
"Higher Than High," and "Boogie Bump Boogie," do inspiration and subtlety seem
to desert the band's sound, but they get it back for "Let's Go Back to Day One."

Undisputed Truth - Essential Collection

01 Save My Love for a Rainy Day.mp3
02 Smiling Faces Sometimes.mp3
03 You Got the Love I Need.mp3
04 You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell.mp3
05 What It Is.mp3
06 Papa Was a Rolling Stone.mp3
07 Girl You're Alright.mp3
08 Mama I Gotta Brand New Thing (Don't Say No).mp3
09 Law of the Land.mp3
10 Help Yourself.mp3
11 What's Going On.mp3
12 I'm a Fool for You.mp3
13 Lil Red Riding Hood.mp3
14 Spaced Out.mp3
15 UFO's.mp3
16 Got to Get My Hands on Some Lovin'.mp3
17 Higher Than High.mp3
18 Boogie Bump Boogie.mp3
19 Let's Go Back to Day One.mp3


@320kbps