The Temptations to release new studio album to celebrate 60th anniversary

The Temptations are celebrating their 60th anniversary with new music.

The legendary Motown Records group, currently the subject of a smash hit Broadway musical, will release the new album, “Temptations 60,” on Jan. 28.

The 12-track opus will offer a mix of love songs and more upbeat fare blending modern and classic influences from the Grammy Award-winning group’s historic catalog.

The set has already yielded its first single, the recently released soulful groove “Is It Gonna Be Yes or No,” which was written, produced and features guest vocals by fellow Motown great Smokey Robinson.

The former Miracles frontman was the Detroit-reared group’s primary songwriter and producer, crafting the 1965 No. 1 pop hit “My Girl.”

Robinson, himself a world-class singer, was the also powerful pen behind successful follow-ups such as “The Way You Do the Things You Do” and “Get Ready.”

The latest collaboration marks the only time he and The Temptations have sung lead together since “The Christmas Song” in 1989.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are currently comprised of founding member Otis Williams, veteran vocalist Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Willie Greene Jr. and Mario Corbino.

“Temptations 60″ also features contributions from a number of other producers with whom the group has collaborated over the years, including current Journey drummer Narada Michael Walden, Dennis Nelson and Thomas “TC” Campbell.

Queens rapper K. Sparks appears on the hip-hop-jazz tinged “Let it Reign,” while “Come On,” which features Williams performing a spoken word monologue about the group’s roots. The song was first recorded in 1959 while Williams fronted doo-wop group The Distants.

The Temps, as they are affectionately known, also covers “My Whole World Stopped Without You,” which was originally recorded by Vintage Trouble in 2015.

“Being back in the studio this time filled me with so many memories of my journey and reminded me of how long and rewarding a journey it has been,” Williams said in the album’s announcement Friday. “I get emotional every time I think about it, because we poured every ounce of our heart and soul into making this album extra special, and only when we were satisfied that it was in keeping with our unique style, did we put our stamp on it.”

The last surviving original Temptations member, Williams executive-produced the album and co-produced five of the tracks. Tyson, who joined the group in 1983, also co-produced two tracks on the album.

“I can proudly say it showcases brand new songs that reflect the best of what’s vintage, and modern, in our music,” Williams, the 80-year-old Texarkana, Texas, native added. “A capstone of my career, this album represents generations of unique melodies, lyrics and songs, distinctly our own. Some of the new songs echo our original ballads and love songs, while others capture current, topical vibes of the 21st Century. It also includes new songs that reflect the times we are living in now.”

“Our new album carries with it, our legacy, our love of music and our hope that through our music we can uplift and bring people together,” Williams added. “Most of all, we want fans to enjoy it and share it with family and friends around the world. It’s a thank you gift from our hearts to all of our fans, past, present and future.”

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