Special (The Temptations album)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ReleasedAugust 16, 1989
Recorded1988
Studio
- Alpha Studios and Encore Studios (Burbank, California)
- Ameraycan Studios and Pacifique Studios (North Hollywood, California)
- United Western Recorders and Studio Masters (Hollywood, California)
- Bossa Nova Hotel (San Fernando, California)
- Ground Control Studios (Santa Monica, California)
- Signa Sound (San Diego, California)
- Super Disc Inc. (Detroit, Michigan)
| Special | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 16, 1989 | |||
| Recorded | 1988 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length | 48:55 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Motown | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| The Temptations chronology | ||||
| ||||
Special is a 1989 studio album from American soul group The Temptations. The album marks the return of Ali-Ollie Woodson as the group's lead singer following Dennis Edwards’ third and final departure.
Editors at AllMusic Guide scored this album three out of five stars, with reviewer Jason Elias characterizing it as "business-as-usual, mid- to late-'80s Temptations release" but writing that this is not a bad thing.[1]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Friends" | Keith Andes, Larry Hatcher, and Chris Jones | Melvin Franklin (spoken word), Ron Tyson, Richard Street, Ali-Ollie Woodson | 4:52 |
| 2. | "Special" | Stan Sheppard and Jimmy Varner | Woodson | 4:30 |
| 3. | "All I Want from You" | Stan Sheppard and Aaron Smith | Woodson, Franklin, Tyson, Otis Williams, Street | 5:33 |
| 4. | "She's Better Than Money" | Andes and Hatcher | Woodson, Franklin | 4:28 |
| 5. | "One Step at a Time" | Ron Tyson and Dennis Williams | Woodson, WIlliams (spoken word) | 5:11 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fill Me Up" | Andes and Hatcher | Woodson | 4:18 |
| 2. | "Go AHead" | Andes, Hatcher, C. Jones, and Glenn Jones | Williams (spoken word), Woodson, Street | 6:36 |
| 3. | "Loveline" | Brian O'Doherty | Woodson | 3:38 |
| 4. | "Soul to Soul" | O'Doherty | Woodson, Tyson | 5:17 |
Bonus track on CD Edition
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | "O.A.O. Lover" | Williams, Woodson | Woodson | 4:59 |
Personnel
The Temptations
- Melvin Franklin – bass vocals
- Richard Street – second tenor vocals
- Ron Tyson – tenor and falsetto vocals
- Otis Williams – baritone vocals
- Ali-Ollie Woodson – lead vocals, programming (10), arrangements (10)
Musicians
- Keith Andes – keyboards (1), drums (1, 7), rhythm and vocal arrangements (1, 4, 6, 7), all other instruments (4, 6, 7), bass (7)
- Johnny Davis – keyboards (1)
- Larry Hatcher – keyboards (1), drums (1), rhythm and vocal arrangements (1, 4, 6, 7) all other instruments (4, 6, 7), bass (4)
- Jimmy Varner – keyboards (2, 5), drum programming (2, 5), rhythm and vocal arrangements (2, 5)
- Kenneth Crouch – keyboards (3)
- Aaron Smith – keyboards (3), synthesizer programming (3), drum programming (3), rhythm and vocal arrangements (3)
- Brian O'Doherty – programming (8, 9), arrangements (8, 9), rhythm and vocal arrangements (9)
- Michael Sembello – programming (8), arrangements (8)
- Frank LaRosa – programming (9, 10), arrangements (9, 10), rhythm arrangements (9)
- Mike Campbell – guitars (1, 4, 6, 7)
- Charles Fearing – guitars (2, 3, 5)
- Paul Jackson, Jr. – guitars (3)
- Freddie Washington – bass (2, 5)
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion (2, 3, 5)
- Gerald Albright – saxophone (2, 3)
- David Crawford – flute (5)
- Maceo Parker – saxophone solo (7)
- Stan Sheppard – vocal arrangements (2, 5), rhythm arrangements (5)
- Chris Jones – vocal arrangements (6)
Production and Technical
- Debbie Sandridge – executive producer
- Keith Andes – producer (1, 4, 6, 7)
- Larry Hatcher – producer (1, 4, 6, 7)
- Stan Sheppard – producer (2, 3, 5)
- Jimmy Varner – producer (2, 5)
- Dick Rudolph – producer (8–10)
- Michael Sembello – producer (8–10)
- Eric Camp – recording (1)
- Gary Dobbins – recording (1–7), mixing (1, 3, 4, 6, 7)
- Pat Karamian – recording (1, 6)
- Randy Long – recording (1, 6)
- Jim Michewicz – recording (1, 4, 6)
- Barney Perkins – mixing (2, 5)
- Tony Jackson – recording (6, 7)
- Frank La Rosa – recording (8–10), mixing (8–10)
- Bud Rizzo – recording (8–10), mixing (8–10)
- Hilary Bercovici – mixing (9)
- Joey Schwartz – recording assistant (9, 10)
- Chris Bellman – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)
- Gayle Woodard – production coordination
- Jeff Adamoff – art direction
- Bacon / O'Brien – design
- Todd Gray – photography
- Shelly Berger – management
- Billie Bullock – management
Chart performance
Special spent 44 weeks on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, reaching up to 25 on October 28, 1989.[2]
