The Temptations Sing Smokey

Released in March 1965, 'The Temptations Sing Smokey' is the second studio album by the group and serves as a pivotal moment in the history of the LP format. At a time when soul albums were typically treated as disposable collections of singles and covers, this record - alongside The Supremes' 'Where Did Our Love Go' - established the 'album-as-event' in R&B. The project is entirely comprised of songs written or produced by Smokey Robinson, creating a unified sonic identity that showcased the group's versatility. It features the massive hit 'My Girl,' which redefined the group's trajectory by moving David Ruffin to the lead vocal spot. Critically, the album is noted for its sophisticated arrangements and the way it transitioned the group from the 'Classic Five' era into superstardom. It remains a definitive document of the 'Motown Sound' before the label's later shift toward funk and political themes.