Memorable pairing for Temptations

As he brainstormed ideas for an album that would celebrate 60 years of the Temptations, Otis Williams had an epiphany.

If we’re making a record for the Tempts’ diamond anniversary, Williams thought to himself, Smokey Robinson has to be part of it. It was Robinson, after all, who had ignited the group’s Motown career in 1964 with “The Way You Do the Things You Do” — the first in a host of Temptations hits he wrote and produced, including “My Girl,” “Get Ready” and “Since I Lost My Baby.”

Williams’ out-of-the-blue phone call to his old friend resulted in their latest project together: The new single “Is It Gonna Be Yes or No,” a piece of warm, vintage Smokey songcraft, landed overnight Friday.

It’s a taste of the forthcoming Temptations album, due in 2022.