Still Waters Run Deep

Released in 1970, Still Waters Run Deep marked a significant stylistic shift for the Four Tops, moving them into the 'album-oriented' soul era. Produced primarily by Frank Wilson, the record moved away from the Holland-Dozier-Holland formula of the 1960s. The centerpiece of the album is the two-part 'Still Water' suite, co-written by Smokey Robinson, which became a definitive example of the 'Quiet Storm' precursor sound. The album is notable for its cover of Bob Lind's 'Elusive Butterfly,' which showcases the group's ability to interpret folk-pop through a sophisticated soul lens. This record proved that the Four Tops could survive the transition into the 1970s by embracing a more mature, contemplative, and sonically adventurous palette. It remains one of their most critically respected long-players, praised for its cohesive mood and the unexpected vulnerability of Levi Stubbs' lead vocals.