Hezron and Beenie Man put a funky dancehall spin on ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’, the soul classic by The Temptations. Their version, produced by Richie Stephens for Tad’s International Record, is scheduled for release in early June.
The song is done to the melody of ‘When Someone Loves You Back’, a big hit for Teddy Pendergrass in 1978. Hezron replicates David Ruffin’s stirring lead vocals on the original, which was released in 1966 by Motown Records.
Grammy winner Beenie Man complement’s Hezron’s vocals with a toast reminiscent of his glory days on songs like ‘Oysters and Conch’ and ‘Healing’ (with Lady Saw). Tad Dawkins Sr., head of Tad’s International Record, is confident their take on ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’ is hit-bound.
Hezron is a stalwart of the Tad’s International Record camp. He has released several well-received songs for the label including ‘Natural Woman’, ‘Save The Children’ and ‘I Shall be Released’ (with Big Youth).
‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’ features the vaunted ‘Classic Five’ lineup of The Temptations, one of the acts that helped put Motown Records on the map. In addition to Ruffin, the group at the time included Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams.