(October 15, 2021) Mike Sanders’ “Oh, How I Love Those Songs” is a tribute to his favorite singing group of all time, The Temptations. However, this heartfelt tribute that brings back the sound of the five part harmony and lush instrumental arrangements that accompanied The Tempts’ musical flights of fancy, also serves as a tribute to Detroit’s legacy of great vocal groups.
Sanders gets a backing vocal assist from two other legendary vocal groups, Enchantment and The Prolifics. Soul music fans know about Enchantment. Those outside of Detroit might not know about The Prolifics, but that vocal group is legendary in Detroit.
Sanders sings this loving tribute to The Temptations from the standpoint of a person recalling seeing those five men live in venues across the Motor City when The Tempts were at the height of their powers. The power and honesty that he brings to the lyrics that he wrote is a testament to the impression that seeing The Temptations Live and hearing those records had on Sanders’ life.
“Oh, How I Love Those Songs” is a quality representative of the tribute song genre. It has everything from flourishes of the instrumental licks that The Funk Brothers put on those songs – check out the guitar riff that pays tribute to Robert White, who was the guitarist on “My Girl” – to the lush and tight backing harmonies provided by Enchantment and The Prolifics. Sanders absolutely nails it with this one. Check out “Oh, How I Love Those Songs” here.
By Howard Dukes
The Sounds of Detroit
"Oh How I Love Those Songs"
