The Undisputed truth - Face to face with the truth
EAC Rip | FLAC CUE LOG SCANS | 295 MB | USA
Of.Release: 1972 | Label: Motown | Soul, Funk, Jazzfunk

Tracklist

01 ? You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth
02 ? What It Is.flac 31.69 MB
03 ? Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World) Friendship Train
04 ? Superstar
05 ? Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me
06 ? Don?t Let Him Take Your Love From Me
07 ? What?s Going On

"Face To Face With The Truth" was the second album for NORMAN WHITFIELD'S band THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH and this 2003 European remaster is a straightforward copy of that soul-funk peach.

The LP was originally issued February 1972 on Gordy G959L in the USA (July 1972 on Tamla Motown STMA 8004 in the UK) and this "ORIGINAL FUNK LP SERIES" CD reissue fully reproduces the original gatefold sleeve artwork in its card digipak and 8-page booklet. There's also a very knowledgeable and concise essay on the album by DAVID COLE, Editor of the specialist soul magazine "In The Basement".

The band depicted on the front sleeve is JOE HARRIS (lead vocals), BRENDA JOYCE EVANS and BILLIE RAE CALVIN (duet and backing vocals). Whitfield produced the album and co-wrote 5 of its 7 songs with another Motown genius BARRETT STRONG. "Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me" was first outed by Gladys Knight & The Pips while the album's closer is a 9-minute cover of Marvin Gaye's 1971 Tamla masterpiece "What's Going On".

Other notable musicians are DENNIS COFFEY on Lead Guitar, EARL VAN DYKE on Piano with EDDIE BROWN on Bongo and Congo Drums.

Musically the album is typical of so many Whitfield productions - the filler tracks are fairly obvious and ok - but the killer long funky workouts are stunning. Bass starter, slinky wah-wah guitar fills, strings backed up with conga rhythms - all of it peppered with social consciousness lyrics that to this day don't sound dated. The groove takes its time to get its hooks into you and even after nine or ten minutes, it never feels like it overstayed its welcome. Joe Harris was a wonderful vocalist too - a little like Pops Staples let loose. For me the big highlight is the near nine-minute "Ungena Za Ulimwengu..." - fabulous stuff - very Isaac Hayes in its hypnotic lingering pace and build - it always has customers coming to the counter asking after it (lyrics above).

It doesn't say who remastered the tapes or where it was done (a company called Miracle Records seem to be involved), but the sound is wonderfully clear and defined.

It's not all great for sure, but the ones that are - are worth it - especially in this great sound quality - make this forgotten goody well worth your checking out.
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