onsdag 5 augusti 2020

THE RUFFIN BROTHERS/I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER STML 11176 (-70) UK

One-off from this sibling duo, launched after David Ruffin (1941-91) quit The Temptations 1968 and then teamed up with his older brother Jimmy (1936-2014), who earlier had a couple of solo hits for the label. Allegedly recorded to pay tribute to their parents who both just passed away.  So here we have two already established and renowned singers, working together for a personal cause and backed up by the Motown machine.  It couldn't go wrong.  And it is a very good soul LP, offering a mix of standard covers and songs written in and for the company, sung by some of the best with impeccable backing. Partly reminding of Temptations and somtimes slightly of Four Tops.  Stylewise more 1967 than 1970 which fits this fan of almost everything the label did in the sixties like a glove.  If to pick favorite tracks it'd be the ones where they really sing out, like the very emotional "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)", "The Things We Have" or the "Stand By Me" version. It didn't get much success back then and today forgotten by most, which to me seems unfair. This is very good Motown all through, performed and handeled with lots of feeling, and should do it for about every label fan.  To my knowledge only issued in US (Soul SS-728) and UK.  US 2010 CD on Motown/Hip-O Select B 0014239-2) came with two bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover with Motown ad inner.  (TÖMÖ*) (ÄIÖ*)

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