Untouched

Released in 1971 on the legendary Stax label, Untouched is the second studio album by The Emotions and serves as a critical bridge in their discography. Following their debut, the group underwent a lineup change as Theresa Davis replaced Jeanette Hutchinson, yet the group's signature vocal blend remained remarkably intact. Produced by the Stax powerhouse team, the album leans heavily into the 'Memphis Sound' - characterized by tight rhythm sections and punchy brass - while maintaining the sisters' Chicago-bred gospel sensibilities. The track 'Blind Alley' has achieved a second life in music history as one of the most sampled tracks in hip-hop, forming the backbone for hits by Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, and Mariah Carey. Critically, the album is viewed as a slightly 'poppier' evolution of their debut, though it retains a raw, analog edge that distinguishes it from their later, more commercially explosive work with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. It stands as a testament to the group's technical vocal prowess before they became icons of the disco era.