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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.

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", 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 in 1977 (#43) with the disco single "You + Me = Love" from the album Method to the Madness. Lead singer on the single "You + Me = Love" was Taka Boom who is Chaka Khan's younger sister.

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'

Singles

Gordy releases

1971: "Save My Love For A Rainy Day" (R&B #43)
1971: "Smiling Faces Sometimes" (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' Stone" (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)" (US #109, 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 releases

1976: "You + Me = Love" (US #48, R&B #37)
1976: "Let's Go Down To The Disco" (B-Side of above single)(R&B #68)
1979: "Show Time - Part I" (R&B #55)

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".

External links

Unofficial fan page for The Undisputed Truth

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 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''.  Lead singer on the single "You + Me = Love" was [[Taka Boom]] who is Chaka Khan's younger sister.
+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''.  Lead singer on the single "You + Me = Love" was [[Taka Boom]] who is [[Chaka Khan]]'s younger sister.
 ==Discography==