Cloud Nine cover

Cloud Nine

Released

This 1969 album from The Temptations marked a radical new direction for them. With a new lead singer Dennis Edwards replacing David Ruffin, producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield began to develop his psychedelic soul sound, starting with the radical for the time ‘Cloud Nine.’ At odds with the contemporaneous Motown sound, ‘Cloud Nine’ featured, for the first time on a Motown record, wah wah guitars and had renowned percussionist Mongo Santamaria on congas. ‘Runaway Child, Running Wild’ showcased many of Whitfield’s production innovations while the rest of the album was more traditional, high-quality Motown soul. One of their best albums.

Harold Heath

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