Temptations – Psychedelic Shack (Motown/Elemental Music)

The finest example of the short-lived “psychedelic soul” movement

Producer Norman Whitfield had been experimenting with the patented sound of the Temptations by adding elements of rock, funk and psychedelia on hits like “Cloud Nine” and “I Can’t Get Next to You” into something dubbed “psychedelic soul.”  But for Psychedelic Shack, the Temps’ 12th record, Whitfield plunges headfirst, leaving all remnants of the old group behind.  The result is a very strong set of songs that all work cohesively together – something you can’t say about all of the group’s albums.

The LP leads with the sound of knocking.  When the door opens, we hear the opening claps and sounds of their previous hit, “I Can’t Get Next To You.”  But, when vocalist Dennis Edwards says “hold it hold it,” an entirely different song begins – a funky groove opens, with the vocals jumping back and forth from the left to the right channel.  The group had grown weary of Whitfield’s emphasis on instrumentation over vocals and “Psychedelic Shack” is the absolute example.  There really isn’t a hook to the song, and what the hell is a Psychedelic Shack anyway??  The song strangely just fades out as the group is still singing…odd.

“You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here” features the entire group on lead vocals.  I like the strings here, but it sure sounds just like “I Can’t Get Next to You.”  “Hum Along and Dance” perhaps symbolizes Whitfield’s approach better than anything else.  To him, it was the groove which mattered most at this point. I love the deep voice and fuzz guitar here.

That segues seamlessly into “Take a Stroll Thru Your Mind,” an ode to pot, which references their earlier hit, “My Girl,” by singing “I got sunshine on a cloudy day” over a fat bassline.  There’s some searing electric guitar work in the middle.  It’s too long (8:30), but it’s still a great groove.  The Temptations would later release “It’s Summer” as a single, but the LP version is better, featuring a deep, spoken word take by Melvin Franklin.

The Temptations were the first group to record the protest song, “War.”  But, Motown refused to issue it as a single, fearing it might alienate some of the band’s fanbase.  Instead, Edwin Starr re-recorded it and it became a massive smash.  The Temps’ rendition is a little less gritty and features the “hut, two, three” chants missing from Starr’s.

The final two songs are songs better associated with another Whitfield production, Gladys Knight & the Pips.  “You Need Love Like I Do (Don’t You)” was recorded simultaneously with both groups and the only real difference is the vocals – both are equally funky.  “Friendship Train” just doesn’t touch the Pips as far as intensity.  And, at the 4:30 mark, the track is interrupted by train sounds, before reprising the groove.  The second half is actually better, allowing each member to shine.  

Psychedelic Shack is a solid listen top to bottom, full of funky grooves and gritty singing.  There is a sameness to the tracks, but if you dig one, you’ll dig them all.  This was the last hurrah for this lineup.  More changes were on the way.  —Tony Peters