AMG Review of Anthology [1995]

Steve Huey
All Music Guide

A definitive overview of the Temptations' career at Motown, Anthology was first released on LP in 1973, revamped in 1986, and updated once again for the CD era in 1995, with modern remastering technology and new packaging. The 1995 version tinkers with the selections a bit, appends a few later singles released after the original issue, and adds a few extra, lesser-known items from their earlier years, including the previously unreleased "Lullaby of Love." Since it's difficult to encapsulate the Temptations' accomplishments on just one disc -- they remained consistent and viable hitmakers well into the '70s, totally reinventing their sound in the process -- Anthology should really be considered the best available summation of their career. The two discs split up the Tempts' two major phases pretty neatly. Kicking off with their breakthrough hit "The Way You Do the Things You Do," the first disc covers their years as the epitome of the Motown sound, while the second sums up their transformation into a funky psychedelic soul outfit at the close of the '60s. All the key hits are here, including a few major R&B-chart smashes that were left off The Ultimate Collection; plus, the liner notes offer a detailed history of the group, right down to listings of every lead singer on each individual track. It all makes for a tremendous package and an amazing 2 1/2 hours of music. Anthology is the ideal choice for any listener who wants to dig deeper than the single-disc Ultimate Collection, but doesn't want to spring for the five-disc Emperors of Soul box; unfortunately, as of early 2003, it had gone out of print again.