This Elemental Music reissue presents the solo debut album for former Temptations' lead singer David Ruffin. It was originally released by Motown Records in May of 1969. After leaving The Temptations, Ruffin was still considered a key component of the Motown family, and on this album he was afforded support by the best and brightest figures the label had to offer, working with top-notch hit making producers Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Paul Riser, and Ivory Joe Hunter. "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" was supposed to be a Temptations record. Instead, it became Ruffin's first solo single. The song was written by Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, Pam Sawyer, and James Roach, with Bristol and Fuqua producing the record. Background vocals were by The Originals, who would have a hit of their own with "The Bells" the following year. The backing band were the essential Motown in-house rhythm makers, The Funk Brothers. "My Whole World Ended" was an auspicious debut, as it reached #2 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart, #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and paved the way to the release of the album, which reached #1 on the,Billboard R&B Albums chart. Without a doubt, the song "My Whole World Ended" is more emotional and raw than the smooth soul sound of Ruffin's former group. Musically, it stands as one of the most varied songs in the entire Motown catalog.
