Dennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards was an influential American soul and R&B singer best known as a lead vocalist for The Temptations. His powerful, gospel-infused voice helped define the group's psychedelic soul era on Motown Records.
Born Dennis Edwards Jr. on February 3, 1943, in Birmingham, Alabama, he moved to Detroit as a child. He sang in the gospel group The Mighty Clouds of Joy as a teen and studied music at the Detroit Conservatory, despite family disapproval of secular music.
In 1961, Edwards formed the soul/jazz group Dennis Edwards and the Fireballs, releasing a single on International Soulville Records. He auditioned for Motown in 1966 and briefly joined The Contours before catching The Temptations' attention.
Edwards replaced David Ruffin as lead singer in July 1968, debuting onstage in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He fronted the group during key periods (1968–1976, 1980–1984, 1987–1989), singing leads on hits like "Cloud Nine," "I Can't Get Next to You," "Ball of Confusion," "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (Grammy winner), and "Shakey Ground".
In the mid-1980s, he launched a solo career with the hit "Don't Look Any Further" featuring Siedah Garrett. Edwards led Dennis Edwards & The Temptations Review until his death, continuing the group's legacy.
Edwards died on February 1, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois, at age 74 from complications of meningitis.
Don’t Look Any Further
Written-By – D. Lambert, P. Beckett
Written-By, Arranged By, Producer – P. Jackson, Jr.
4:20
A2 Don't Look Any Further
Arranged By, Producer – Paul Jackson Jr.
Featuring – Siedah Garrett
Written-By – D. Hitchings, F. Golde
Written-By, Arranged By – Dennis Lambert
3:59
A3 (You're My) Aphrodisiac
Arranged By, Producer – Robbie Buchanan
Written-By – D. Lambert, J. Crowley, S. Dees
4:30
A4 Can't Fight It
Arranged By, Producer – Robbie Buchanan
Written-By – J. Pati
4:41
B1 Another Place In Time
Arranged By, Producer – Robbie Buchanan
Written-By – G. Sklerov, S. Kunin
4:12
B2 Shake Hands (Come Out Dancin')
Arranged By, Producer – Paul M. Jackson, Jr.
Written-By – P. Beckett
Written-By, Arranged By – D. Lambert
4:23
B3 I Thought I Could Handle It
Arranged By – Larry Williams
Written-By – F. Golde, R. Preston
Written-By, Arranged By – D. Lambert
3:59
B4 Just Like You
Arranged By, Producer – Robbie Buchanan
Written-By – J. Pescetto
4:00
B5 Let's Go Up
Arranged By, Producer – Robbie Buchanan
Written-By – F. Golde, P. Ivers
3:57
Label: Gordy – 6057 GL
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Contemporary R&B
Dennis Edwards' Don't Look Any Further album, from 1984, is a standout R&B record, primarily celebrated for its iconic, sample-heavy title track duet with Siedah Garrett, featuring an unforgettable bassline that became foundational for hip-hop, though the album itself mixes quiet storm, dance, and soulful slow jams, with critics noting Edwards' powerful vocals elevate filler tracks into timeless grooves, making it a must-have classic despite uneven production.
The Title Track: "Don't Look Any Further" is a landmark, featuring Edwards' smooth vocals, Siedah Garrett's distinctive voice, and Paul Jackson Jr.'s iconic bassline, making it a dance classic and frequently sampled in hip-hop and R&B.
Edwards' voice, honed with The Temptations, shines throughout the album, rescuing less-stellar tracks with his top-form delivery, as noted in Reviews & Dunn.
Produced by Dennis Lambert, the album blends reggae-infused R&B, quiet storm, and soulful slow jams, with "(You're My) Aphrodisiac" and "Just Like You" also noted singles.
The bassline from the title track is one of the most sampled in music history, appearing in countless hip-hop and R&B hits by artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Mary Mary, and Lil Wayne, and even getting a popular UK dance remix by M People.
While some critics found much of the album filler beyond the singles, Edwards' powerful vocals and the strength of the title track solidified its place as a beloved classic, with many fans praising its timeless grooves and nostalgic feel. It's considered a standout release in Dennis Edwards post-Temptations solo career.