The Temptations really defined the Motown sound. Slick, smooth, catchy, fun, and skilled, they were (and to some extent, are still) the definitive band of the moment and movement. They didn’t exist in a vacuum, however. As some genres rose to prominence–namely jazz-rock, spacy pop, and the whole “San Francisco Sound”–The Temptation’s music became infused with new sensibilities.

Was their 1970 album “Psychedelic Shack” a good idea? I think so, but a lot of other people probably do not. The band combines their ethereal vocals with fuzzed-out guitars, spacey sounds, and some nice countercultural touches. While far from the ideal flower children, The Temptations really tapped into some of the interesting things associated with the music of peaceful protest. While stuff like “It’s Summer” is probably truer to the group’s older material, something like their cover of War’s “War” shows where their new sympathies lie.

The highlight is the introspective track “Take a Stroll Through Your Mind,” a lengthy, often understated trip into the self. This is pretty far-out from typical Temptations music. The closest kin that I can think of is Marvin Gaye’s “A Funky Space Reincarnation” in scope and aim.

Check out this video of a subdued, but fascinating, performance of the title track: