The Temprees were a pivotal Memphis soul trio consisting of Jasper Phillips, Harold Scott, and Deljuan Calvin. Formed in 1970, they became a cornerstone of We Produce Records, an auxiliary label of the legendary Stax Records.
Their sound identity is characterized by 'sweet soul' aesthetics: high-register falsetto leads, intricate three-part harmonies, and lavish orchestral arrangements. Unlike the raw, blues-inflected soul typically associated with Memphis, The Temprees leaned into a more polished, sophisticated production style that rivaled the Philadelphia International sound. A career highlight was their 1972 performance at Wattstax, cementing their status in the Black Power era's cultural landscape. Their evolution saw them move from baroque soul ballads to a brief disco period in the mid-70s with Epic Records. Critically, they are revered by 'lowrider soul' collectors and crate diggers for their emotive depth and production quality. Their influence persists in the lineage of contemporary R&B vocal groups who prioritize harmonic complexity over solo theatrics.
Shares falsetto, disco, funk, soul (signature)
Shares falsetto, disco, funk, soul (signature)
Shares sweeping cinematic string sections, orchestral_arrangement, wall_of_sound, disco (detail)
Shares orchestral_arrangement, falsetto, disco, soul (signature)
Shares disco, funk, soul, tender (subgenre)
Shares falsetto, disco, funk, soul (signature)
Shares romantic, disco, funk, soul (signature)
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