Motown songwriter and producer Norman Whitfield had already clocked up an impressive array of hit songs for the likes of Marvin Gaye, and the Temptations by the time the Undisputed Truth were born. Whitfield had extra material to play around with and was looking for an act at Motown to release the songs on and hence the group were introduced in 1971 right in the middle of an era when the Temptations and Edwin Starr were themselves enjoying chart success with Whitfield songs and here was act number three.

Their debut album was released in 1971 and no doubt ruffled a few feathers within the Temptations camp as a number of their songs were being recorded by the Undisputed Truth, and one can only imagine the battle that ensued to see which act would get a single release. The groups first outing was the superb 'Smiling Faces Sometimes' now regarded as a classic amongst collectors and nice gentle toe tapping song that builds to a crescendo mid way through the song. Brilliant vocal delivery and a very soulful set of backing vocals. Labelled psychedlic soul by the media at the time, if fell perfectly in line with the Motown sound of the day. Their version of 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' was a faster number than the Temptations version, although not as popular with the record buying public who in 1973 put the Temptations at the top of the soul charts with Parts 1 & 2 of this anthem.

The opening song 'Save My Love For A Rainy Day' had already been recorded at Motown and also by the Van-Dykes, before this version which remains one of my all time favourites, and the northern soul fraternity were kept happy with the inclusion of the uptempo stomper 'You Got The Love I Need' which must surely rate as the best cut on this CD.

'Law Of The Land' was just tailor made for the dance floor and is a slightly better version than the one released, and their mammoth nine minute cover of Marvin Gaye's classic 'What's Going On'  is a classy production but sadly falls short of the original. I would have thought that had Whitfield recorded the group with more songs that hadn't already been issued on other artists then they could have been a much bigger group that they actually achieved, as they were always seen as 'Standing In The Shadows of the Temptations' which is a shame as the group had major talent that was constantly being 'tested' by the Motown producers.

Other tracks on this CD are reasonably predictable with particular emphasis on the last ten songs being 'space funk' with little variation on a common theme. It is a fact the the first ten songs contained here are clearly the best and represent good value for money on an act that will always be associated with Norman Whitfield and Motown in the early seventies.

Rating 7/10