Cloud Nine is a watershed Motown album. Recorded in late 1968 into 1969, it brought psychedelia to the increasingly out of step label and marked the first Temptations studio LP to feature new vocalist Dennis Edwards. The start of the Temp’s four year psychedelic soul trip led by producer Norman Whitfield, it was at the behest of leader Otis Williams that the Temps adapted to the tenor of the times. Driven by the funkier production and multi-lead vocals, the songs also adopted a darker tone lyrically. Several tracks delved into the harsh reality of street life while extending song length and layering droning organ lines on top of hard-hitting drums – instrumentation more commonly heard on James Brown or Sly Stone productions. “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”, a later Whitfield production, would further emphasize extended instrumental passages. “Cloud Nine” was #6 hit on the U.S. pop charts and won Motown its first Grammy for Best R&B Group Performance.

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The Temptations on AllMusic.com
Temptations page on Motown
Otis Williams’ Official Website
The Tangled History of The Temptations