The Undisputed Truth
Encyclopedia
The Undisputed Truth was a 1970s Motown recording act, assembled by record producer
Norman Whitfield
as a means for being able to experiment with his psychedelic soul
production techniques. Joe Harris served as main lead singer, with Billie Rae Calvin and Brenda Joyce, formerly of The Delicates, on additional leads and background vocals.
s and white makeup) typified the then-popular trend of "psychedelic soul
" which producer Norman Whitfield
had inaugurated. A number of their singles became minor hits, and many of them were also songs for Whitfield's main act, The Temptations
, among them "You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth" and "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
." Their single Top 40 hit in the United States
was the ominous "Smiling Faces Sometimes
," originally recorded by The Temptations, which hit #3 on the US pop charts in 1971.
The Undisputed Truth, along with Rose Royce
and Willie Hutch
, followed Whitfield during his exodus from Motown to set up Whitfield Records
in 1975. At this time, Calvin and Joyce left the group, and Harris was joined by new members Virginia "V" McDonald, Tyrone "Big Ty" Douglas, Tyrone "Lil Ty" Barkley, and Calvin "Dhaak" Stephenson. The group's costuming and style changed as well, becoming even more unusual and Funkadelic
-influenced.
However, the group had little success at the new label, and faded into obscurity after two more albums, although they charted in the UK Singles Chart
in January 1977 (#43) with the disco
single "You + Me = Love" from the album Method to the Madness. The lead singer on the single "You + Me = Love" was Taka Boom
, who is Chaka Khan
's younger sister.
Whitfield
releases:
Whitfield
releases:
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Norman Whitfield
Norman Whitfield
Norman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
as a means for being able to experiment with his psychedelic soul
Psychedelic soul
Psychedelic soul, sometimes called black rock, is a sub-genre of soul music, which mixes the characteristics of soul with psychedelic rock...
production techniques. Joe Harris served as main lead singer, with Billie Rae Calvin and Brenda Joyce, formerly of The Delicates, on additional leads and background vocals.
History
The group's music and unusual costuming (large AfroAfro
Afro, sometimes shortened to fro and also known as a "natural", is a hairstyle worn naturally by people with lengthy kinky hair texture or specifically styled in such a fashion by individuals with naturally curly or straight hair...
s and white makeup) typified the then-popular trend of "psychedelic soul
Psychedelic soul
Psychedelic soul, sometimes called black rock, is a sub-genre of soul music, which mixes the characteristics of soul with psychedelic rock...
" which producer Norman Whitfield
Norman Whitfield
Norman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
had inaugurated. A number of their singles became minor hits, and many of them were also songs for Whitfield's main act, The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, among them "You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth" and "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a soul song, written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single for Motown act The Undisputed Truth in 1971...
." Their single Top 40 hit in the United States
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
was the ominous "Smiling Faces Sometimes
Smiling Faces Sometimes
"Smiling Faces Sometimes" is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label. The song was originally recorded by the Temptations in 1971. Producer Norman Whitfield had the song re-recorded by the Undisputed Truth the same year, resulting in a number-three Billboard...
," originally recorded by The Temptations, which hit #3 on the US pop charts in 1971.
The Undisputed Truth, along with Rose Royce
Rose Royce
Rose Royce is an American soul and R&B band. The group is best known for several hit singles including "Car Wash," "I Wanna Get Next to You," "Wishing on a Star", "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" and "I'm Going Down".-Career:...
and Willie Hutch
Willie Hutch
Willie McKinley Hutchison, known professionally as Willie Hutch was an American singer, songwriter as well as a record producer and recording artist for the Motown record label during the 1970s and 1980s....
, followed Whitfield during his exodus from Motown to set up Whitfield Records
Whitfield Records
Whitfield Records was a record label, founded in 1975 by former Motown producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield and active until 1982. Whitfield Records was distributed throughout its entire existence by Warner Bros...
in 1975. At this time, Calvin and Joyce left the group, and Harris was joined by new members Virginia "V" McDonald, Tyrone "Big Ty" Douglas, Tyrone "Lil Ty" Barkley, and Calvin "Dhaak" Stephenson. The group's costuming and style changed as well, becoming even more unusual and Funkadelic
Funkadelic
Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
-influenced.
However, the group had little success at the new label, and faded into obscurity after two more albums, although they charted in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in January 1977 (#43) with the disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
single "You + Me = Love" from the album Method to the Madness. The lead singer on the single "You + Me = Love" was Taka Boom
Taka Boom
Taka Boom is a female R&B and dance music singer and is the younger sister of Chaka Khan and Mark Stevens of Aurra. She sang background vocals for several Parliament albums in the 1970s...
, who is Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
's younger sister.
Albums
Gordy releases:- 1971: The Undisputed Truth (US #43, R&B #7)
- 1972: Face to Face With the TruthFace to Face With the TruthFace to Face With the Truth is the second album by the Motown group, The Undisputed Truth.-Reception:Released in 1972 . Like their previous album, it was produced entirely by Norman Whitfield and most of the songs were also recorded by The Temptations, but with different arrangements...
(US #114, R&B #16) - 1973: Law of the LandLaw of the Land (album)-Track listing:#"Law of the Land" 4:26#"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" 3:28#"Girl You're Alright" 2:58#"Killing Me Softly with His Song" 4:52...
(US #191, R&B #52) - 1974: Down To Earth (R&B #35)
- 1975: Cosmic Truth (US #186, R&B #42)
- 1976: Higher Than High (US #173, R&B #52)
Whitfield
Whitfield Records
Whitfield Records was a record label, founded in 1975 by former Motown producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield and active until 1982. Whitfield Records was distributed throughout its entire existence by Warner Bros...
releases:
- 1976: Method To The Madness (US #66, R&B #19)
- 1979: Smokin
Singles
Gordy releases:- 1971: "Save My Love For A Rainy Day" (R&B #43)
- 1971: "Smiling Faces SometimesSmiling Faces Sometimes"Smiling Faces Sometimes" is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label. The song was originally recorded by the Temptations in 1971. Producer Norman Whitfield had the song re-recorded by the Undisputed Truth the same year, resulting in a number-three Billboard...
" (US #3, R&B #2) - 1971: "You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth" (US #72, R&B #24)
- 1972: "What It Is" (US #71, R&B #35)
- 1972: "Papa Was a Rollin' StonePapa Was a Rollin' Stone"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a soul song, written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single for Motown act The Undisputed Truth in 1971...
" (US #63, R&B #24) - 1972: "Girl You're Alright" (US #107, R&B #43)
- 1973: "Mama I Got A Brand New Thing (Don't Say No)" (R&B #46)
- 1973: "Law of the Land" (R&B #40)
- 1974: "Help Yourself" (US #63, R&B #19)
- 1974: "I'm A Fool For You" (R&B #39)
- 1975: "UFO's" (R&B #62)
- 1975: "Higher Than High" (R&B #77)
Whitfield
Whitfield Records
Whitfield Records was a record label, founded in 1975 by former Motown producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield and active until 1982. Whitfield Records was distributed throughout its entire existence by Warner Bros...
releases:
- 1976: "You + Me = Love" (US #48, R&B #37; UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#43) - 1976: "Let's Go Down To The Disco" (B-Side of above single)(R&B #68)
- 1979: "Show Time - Part I" (R&B #55)