# Masterpiece (The Temptations album)

Masterpiece is a 1973 album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label, produced and written by Norman Whitfield.
Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C+ |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |

## Track listing

All selections written and produced by Norman Whitfield.

### Side one

* "Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)" – 4:36 (lead singer: Richard Street)
* "Masterpiece" – 13:49 (lead singers: Dennis Edwards, Otis Williams, Richard Street, Damon Harris, Melvin Franklin)

### Side two

* "Ma" – 4:46 (lead singers: Richard Street, Damon Harris, Melvin Franklin)
* "Law of the Land" – 5:08 (lead singers: Dennis Edwards, Damon Harris, Richard Street)
* "Plastic Man" – 5:53 (lead singers: Dennis Edwards, Damon Harris, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street)
* "Hurry Tomorrow" – 8:06 (lead singer: Damon Harris)

## Personnel

| Dennis Edwards - vocals (tenor/baritone) Damon Harris - vocals (first tenor/falsetto) Richard Street - vocals (second tenor/baritone) Melvin Franklin - vocals (bass) Otis Williams - vocals (second tenor/baritone) Norman Whitfield - producer, composer Paul Riser - arranger Orson Lewis - engineer Asari Ghraham - creative assistant to Norman Whitfield Des Strobel - design Parvis Sadighian - sculpture (for album cover image) Jim Britt - liner photo | Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers: Earl Van Dyke - piano, organ Johnny Griffith - organ Robert Ward - guitar Melvin "Wah-Wah Watson" Ragin - guitar Joe Messina - guitar Paul Warren - guitar Robert White - guitar Eddie Willis - guitar Aaron Smith - drums Richard "Pistol" Allen - drums Uriel Jones - drums Andrew Smith - drums Leroy Taylor - bass guitar Bob Babbitt - bass guitar Eddie Watkins Jr. - bass guitar Eddie "Bongo" Brown - bongos, congas Jack Ashford - tambourine, maracas, sticks Jack Brokensha - timpani, vibes, bells, gourd Maurice Davis - trumpet Ted Lucas - harmonica |

## Singles history

* "Masterpiece" (Vocal)
** Gordy single 7126, February 1, 1973; *B-side: "Masterpiece" (Instrumental)
* "Plastic Man"
** Gordy single 7129, May 10, 1973; B-side: "Hurry Tomorrow"
* "Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)"
** Gordy single 7131, July 24, 1973; B-side: "Ma"
* "Law of the Land"
** Tamla-Motown single TMG-866, 1973 (UK only); B-side: "Run Charlie Run" (from All Directions)

## Charts
### Album

| Chart (1973) | Peak position |
| French Albums (SNEP) | 6 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 17 |
| Spanish Albums (AFE) | 13 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 28 |
| US Billboard 200 | 7 |
| US Top R&B Albums | 1 |

#### Year-end charts

| Chart (1973) | Peak position |
| French Albums (SNEP) | 51 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 47 |
| US Top R&B Albums | 15 |
| US Billboard 200 | 56 |

### Singles

| Year | Name | US | US R&B | UK |
| 1973 | Masterpiece (Vocal) | 7 | 1 | - |
| 1973 | Plastic Man | 40 | 8 | - |
| 1973 | Hey Girl (I Like Your Style) | 35 | 2 | - |
| 1973 | Law of the Land | - | - | 41 |

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| France (SNEP) | Gold | 100,000$^*$ |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 500,000$^^$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||