In a stunningly randomized chromatic pattern, the whirlwind of notes is over before you realize it, when the song then sinks into a classic Motown ostinato groove followed by a vocal harmony stack going into the verse where Ruffin takes center stage. The song starts with a thundering intro by the rhythm section led by Jamerson’s prominent bassline. Featuring David Ruffin’s blistering vocals, the real star of this track to me is bassist James Jamerson. This mid-67 album features Temps hits such as (I Know) I’m Losing You and the Eddie Kendricks led You’re My Everything, but the second song on the album is really a true sleeper track, and a show stopper at that. I’ve compiled a list of 10 often overlooked deep-tracks you’ve probably never heard before that feature both of these greats in their musical prime reaching to the absolute highest peaks of their abilities and creativity!īefore we get into it here is a rare video that features both Ruffin and Jamerson in the studio recording Sorry Is A Sorry Word with The Temptations in 1967:Īlbum: The Temptations With A Lot O’ Soul (1967) Something about both of their execution feels so effortless, they make it look easy, even though some of these passages are rather difficult, which is the sign of true mastery of an artform when you combine the two’s talents, the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts and it’s some of the coolest material ever recorded. Through the temptations “Classic Five” era, and his oft forgotten solo career, David delivered a magic that is almost indescribable. He was a truly one of a kind musician who was able to convey so much emotion through his singing that it captured the hearts and minds of an entire decade. His ability to glide seamlessly from a throaty baritone rasp to a clear and concise whistle tone of soaring and dynamic highs are unparalleled. His fusion of melody and rhythm, along with his counterpuntal methods of wildly moving around the fretboard and pivoting modes, while still managing to stay completely in the pocket laying down some of the tightest grooves possible, made his approach to bass incredibly unique.ĭavid Ruffin: a troubled figure with vocal talent the likes of which the world had never seen, nor will ever see again. He has played on so many number one hits it’s not even funny. He is an often uncredited session bassist who shaped the entire sound of Motown and was the guiding force of The Funk Brothers the house musicians of Barry Gordy’s label. James Jamerson: the unsung hero of Motown, the man who’s playing influenced pretty much every electric bassist of the past 60 years.
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