I will always wonder how well David's vaulted lp would have
Done , had it been released instead of My whole world ended. Why wasn't the vaulted lp at least followed up by My world ended. There were two great tracks outside of my world ended, on that first lp. World of Darkness and Message from Maria.Feeling Good, seemed chunked with fillers& a few so so covers. The best track on there was I'm so glad I fell for you. You can't bank on the success of one great single unless it ends up being a maga hit. There weren't any other tracks that had hit potietial on feeling good. That was a disaster for any artist at Motown as most lps had at least 2-3, Or more maga hits on one lp. Enough to put them on the map. At the time David worked with Norman Whitefield. I initially thought, its about time, as he did so well with The Temptations 70s lps.In fact my expectations were that this was going to be a stellar project that would bring David's career back to life.By this time Norman was getting away from his great 70s sound with the Temptations, and leaning more towards that acid guitar / punk sound that he gave the Undisputed Truth arround this time line.There were two tracks that were classic Norman. Smiling faces, I found very soulful and sensuous. He had the best version of I saw her when you met her.I play this track alot. It has all of the cool eliments that were in a Norman Whitfield track. Hip bass line, thunder sound effects and a string section almost as good as a Bernard Herman sound track. This reminds me of the fabulouse string arrange that was on Papa was a rolling stone. I do wonder if Norman had produced a follow up lp with David, would he have stretched out a and come up with a more interesting track selection. Then again it might've gone the same rout as that string of lps he cut with the Undisputed Truth in the late 70s.Out side of the two songs I mention the other Tracks on Rockn Roll were ackward and didnt seem to go with any flow.The Bobby Miller lp had some moments but alot of clunkers. I do recall Blood Donars needed getting alot of air play. I think it was in the direction and maby inspired by what Norman was doing with the Temptations around this time. If there were more tracks like it on there If wouldve been a hit lp. The otber tracks leaned twards hard core R&B and some C&₩.
David needed one talented writer and producer that had a focused vision, and established formula to send him to the right place. He didnt get that before or after Van McCoy's departure. For all of the lps produced with Van ,surprisingly there weren't that many bonified hits.