The Supremes [[Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong): Touch [[Album & Singles) Analysis [[1971)

Album

Later Supremes Era with Lower Chart Performance: "Touch" charted lower compared to some of the Supremes' earlier albums with Diana Ross. It reached #85 on the Billboard 200 chart, but achieved #6 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, indicating a dedicated R&B audience remained interested in the group's evolution. Sales figures of 140,000 units suggest a smaller overall fanbase compared to their peak years.

Frank Wilson Farewell & New Direction: "Touch" was the final Supremes album produced by Frank Wilson. It marked a continuation of the new sound the group established with Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson, and Cindy Birdsong.

Singles: "Nathan Jones" and "Touch"

"Nathan Jones" a Moderate Hit: "Nathan Jones" became a moderate hit, reaching #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Top 10 on the R&B chart. It also achieved international success, peaking at #5 in the UK.

Title Track Underperformed: The title track, "Touch," failed to crack the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #71.

Overall Analysis:

Mixed Results for New Supremes: "Touch" represents a period of transition for The Supremes. While the album charted lower on the Billboard 200 compared to previous releases, it achieved #6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, demonstrating continued interest from R&B audiences. The lead single, "Nathan Jones," became a moderate hit, but the title track underperformed. This album marked the end of an era with Frank Wilson as producer.

Rating [[1-10): 6.5

Reasoning for Rating:

"Touch" achieved #85 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The lead single, "Nathan Jones," was a moderate hit, reaching #16 on the Hot 100. However, the album's overall chart performance was lower compared to some of their previous releases. This along with the underperformance of the title track justifies a mid-range rating. However, it remains a notable album showcasing the "New Supremes" sound and marking a turning point with a new producer.