The Undisputed Truth, on the cover of their first LP, 1971's The Undisputed Truth, which contains their only hit single, "Smiling Faces Sometimes".

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. Image File history File links The Undisputed Truth This image is of a music album or single cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced the music in question. ... Image File history File links The Undisputed Truth This image is of a music album or single cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the album or the artist(s) which produced the music in question. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Smiling Faces Sometimes is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label. ... Motown Records, Inc. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... Norman Whitfield Norman Jesse Whitfield (born in Harlem, New York in 1943) was a songwriter and producer for Berry Gordys Motown label during the 1960s. ... Psychedelic soul is a concept used to categorize music that featured elements of psychedelic rock and soul/funk music. ...

History

The group's music and unusual costuming (large Afros and white makeup) typified the then-popular trend of "psychedelic soul". 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", also originally recorded by The Temptations, which hit #3 on the US pop charts in 1971. Woman with an afro at the Tribeca Film Festival For the Italian painter known as Afro, see Afro Basaldella. ... Psychedelic soul is a concept used to categorize music that featured elements of psychedelic rock and soul/funk music. ... “Temptations” redirects here. ... 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. ... UK 45 rpm single for Mickey (1982) by one-hit wonder Toni Basil CD single of the Baha Mens Who Let the Dogs Out? In the music industry, a one-hit wonder is an artist generally known for only one hit single. ... Smiling Faces Sometimes is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label. ...

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 in 1977 (#43) with the disco single "You + Me = Love" from the album Method to the Madness. Rose Royce was a soul, funk, and disco band, formed by Motown writer/producer Norman Whitfield - previously most famous for his work with the Temptations - and featuring singer Rose Norwalt performing under the name Rose Royce. ... Willie Hutch (born Willie McKinley Hutchinson December 6, 1944 in Los Angeles, California, USA – September 19, 2005 in Dallas, Texas) was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. ... Whitfield Records (also known as W Records) was a record label, founded in 1975 by former Motown producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Parliament-Funkadelic. ... Disco is a genre of dance-oriented pop music that was popularized in dance clubs (discothèques) in the mid-1970s, and which dominated mainstream pop until the late 1970s. ...

Discography

Albums

Gordy releases

• 1971: The Undisputed Truth
• 1972: Face to Face with the Truth
• 1973: Law of the Land
• 1974: Down To Earth
• 1975: Cosmic Truth
• 1976: Higher Than High

Whitfield releases

• 1977: Method To The Madness
• 1979: Smokin'

Motown Records, Inc. ... The Undisputed Truth is the third full-length album by American rapper Brother Ali and his second major release. ... Whitfield Records (also known as W Records) was a record label, founded in 1975 by former Motown producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield. ...

Singles

Gordy releases

• 1971: "Save My Love For A Rainy Day" (R&B #43)
• 1971: "Smiling Faces Sometimes" (US #3, R&B #2)
• 1971: "Girl You're Alright" (R&B #43)
• 1972: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (US #63, R&B #24)
• 1972: "What It Is" (US #71, R&B #35)
• 1972: "You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth" (US #72, R&B #24)
• 1973: "Law of the Land" (R&B #40)
• 1973: "Mama I Got A Brand New Thing (Don't Say No)" (US #46)
• 1973: "Help Yourself" (US #63, R&B #19)
• 1974: "I'm A Fool For You" (R&B #39)
• 1975: "Higher Than High" (R&B #77)
• 1975: "Spaced Out"
• 1975: "UFO's" (R&B #62)

Whitfield releases

• 1976: "You + Me = Love"
• 1976: "Let's Go Down To The Disco"

Motown Records, Inc. ... Smiling Faces Sometimes is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label. ... 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. ... Whitfield Records (also known as W Records) was a record label, founded in 1975 by former Motown producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield. ...

Trivia

• The truth serum in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 2 is titled "The Undisputed Truth."
• Hip-hop artist Brother Ali's latest record is entitled "The Undisputed Truth".

 "Smiling Faces Sometimes" On Volume 2 of the movie soundtrack "Dead Presidents" 

Quentin Jerome Tarantino (born March 27, 1963) is an American film director, actor, and screenwriter. ... Kill Bill is the fourth feature film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino released in two parts: Volume 1 & Volume 2. ... Brother Ali (born Jason Newman, now Ali Newman) is an American hip hop artist. ...

External link

• Unofficial fan page for The Undisputed Truth