Phoenix Rising

by

The Temptations

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Released to coincide with the Otis Williams' book, as well as the highly rated NBC biopic, "Phoenix Rising" is an appropriate title for an album that, like the mythical bird, represents a re-emergence of the legendary group. With Williams as the only surviving member of the original quintet, by the time of the album's 1998, many feel that the "Temps" glory days were behind them.

Boy, were (and are) they wrong!

The disc has enough of the "old" and enough of the "new" to satisfy old school purists and R & B novices.

The album begins with a forty-four second "interlude" entitled "Hereafter" that allows the respective voice parts to shine. Following that is the hit "Stay", a song that pays tributes to the group's roots. "False Faces", cut #3, has an 80's feel about it while the fourth track, "How Could He Hurt You" is as contemporary as anything by R. Kelly or Brian McKnight.

"This is My Promise" is the stuff that weddings are made of.

Other strong cuts are the Freddie Jackson-sounding "If I Give You My Heart", the funky "My Love", and the heavenly "Just Like I Told You".

Melvin, Eddie, Paul, and David may be gone, but their legacy continues with the present incarnation, thanks to the tenacity and determination of one Otis Williams to continue the Temp's tradition.