The Supremes: Duets with the Temptations and Four Tops
Shockingly few good songs across five albums
In 1968, Motown decided to put together its two biggest acts into a blockbuster of epic proportions…
The Supremes and the Temptations! Together! On one album! One of those albums was even called Together.
There was even a television special!
That TV special was also sold as an LP that I’m not gonna review cuz its not a regular studio album.
Well for all the hoopla these albums stunk. It clearly wasn’t the lack of talent, but Motown did its infamous habit of pushing out too much product. Never doubt Berry Gordy was a capitalist as he flooded the market with subpar product right alongside the good stuff.
Anyways, ain’t but three songs by estimation worth hearing from all this dreck: “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” which is brilliant; the good “I’ll Try Something New”; and the fine “Try It Baby”.
Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations
Released: November 1968
Album Grade: D+
RECOMMENDED SONGS
I’m Gonna Make You Love Me: 9/10
I’ll Try Something New: 7/10
Try It Baby: 6/10
Together
Released: September 1969
Album Grade: F
RECOMMENDED SONGS
None
Starting in 1970 Motown decided to try this wretched formula with the Supremes and Four Tops.
Initially it produced the best album of the entire bunch, The Magnificent 7, but it quickly lost steam as two more LPs were released: Return of the Magnificent Seven and Dynamite. They both suck.
Literally only one song on both of those latter LPs is worth listening to: “Love the One You’re With.” And all three are chock full of covers. Even if the song is halfway listeneable, why not just go to the original?
Anyways, The Magnificent 7 does contain a super cover of “River Deep, Mountain High” which somehow sounds like early 70s soul mixed with surf rock. The album’s other songs generally have a decent quality. But again, they’re all covers. Why listen to these when you can go for the originals? And that’s the relatively good album. The other two as I’ve said were awful.
The Magnificent 7
Released: September 1970
Album Grade: C
RECOMMENDED SONGS
River Deep, Mountain High: 8/10
Knock On My Door: 7/10
Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes): 6.5/10
Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: 6/10
Stoned Soul Picnic: 6/10
The Return of the Magnificent Seven
Released: June 1971
Album Grade: F
RECOMMENDED SONGS
None
Dynamite
Released: December 1971
Album Grade: F
RECOMMENDED SONG
Love the One You’re With: 6/10