Smokey Robinson | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Berry Gordy founded Motown Records, but one could argue that Smokey Robinson was the man who first pushed Americas most iconic soul music label toward greatness. As the leader of the Miracles, Robinson was one of the very first artists signed to the fledgling label in 1959, and while he racked up many hits for it with the Miracles and as a solo act, Robinson was also an invaluable behind-the-scenes talent who wrote songs, produced records, scouted and groomed talent, and served as a vice president at Motown from 1961 to 1988. Robinson is one of the most iconic figures in American R&B; his work helped defined pop-oriented soul, his lush, romantic R&B; ballads literally gave quiet storm its name, and no less an authority than Bob Dylan has called Robinson "Americas greatest living poet." William Robinson, Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 19, 1940. He grew up in Detroits Brewster housing project, and picked up the nickname "Smokey Joe" from his Uncle Claude, which quickly stuck. Robinson first developed an interest in music by investigating his mothers record collection, which included classic sides by Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker. Robinsons mother died when he was ten, and since his father was frequently on the road making his living as a truck driver, young Smokey was looked after by his older sister Geraldine, and in his early teens he began singing, performing in informal doo wop groups with his friends. In 1955, Robinson assembled a vocal group called the Five Chimes, which featured his schoolmates Clarence Dawson, James Grice, Pete Moore, and Ronald White. In 1956, the group adopted a new name, the Matadors, after Dawson left and Emerson Rogers took his place, and a year later, Rogers and James Grice left the lineup, and Claudette Rogers and Bobby Rogers (respectively Emerson Rogers sister and cousin) stepped in. With their new co-ed lineup, the name the Matadors was considered a poor fit, and they began calling themselves the Miracles. A guitarist, Marv Tarplin, joined the act in 1958, and the Miracles began making a name for themselves on Detroits R&B; scene. In 1958, Robinson met Berry Gordy, a Detroit-based songwriter who had penned several hits for Jackie Wilson and was looking to make a name for himself in the music business. Gordy was impressed with the Miracles and Robinsons talents as a songwriter; he helped the band land a deal with End Records, and the Miracles released their first single, "Got a Job" (an answer song to the Silhouettes hit "Get a Job") later that year. While the single sold well in Detroit, it didnt make much noise nationally, and follow-ups on End and Chess fared no better. Robinson believed he and Gordy could do better themselves, and he urged Gordy to follow through on his idea of forming his own label. The Miracles became the first act signed to Gordys new record company, Motown, and in 1960, their song "Shop Around," written by Robinson, was the first Motown single to become a nationwide hit. Through the 60s, the Miracles were a frequent presence on the pop and R&B; charts, scoring hits with such songs as "Tracks of My Tears," "Mickeys Monkey," "Youve Really Got a Hold on Me," "Going to a Go-Go," "Ooo Baby Baby," and many more. As Robinson became recognized as the creative force behind the group, their name was changed to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles in 1966. Robinson also shared his talents with many other Motown acts; he wrote "My Guy" and "The One Who Really Loves You" for Mary Wells, "My Girl," "Get Ready," and "The Way You Do the Things You Do" for the Temptations, "Aint That Peculiar" and "Ill Be Doggone" for Marvin Gaye, and "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" for the Marvelettes, among many others. As a vice president at Motown, Robinson was also a key part of the labels management and production team, and helped guide the company into being one of the most successful independent American record labels of all time. Robinson fell in love with Claudette Rogers not long after she joined the Miracles, and they were married in 1959. By 1969, Robinson was growing tired of dividing his time between his family, Motown, and the Miracles, and he decided to retire from the group so he could spend more time at home and less time on the road. He postponed his departure when "Tears of a Clown" (recorded in 1966) unexpectedly became a major hit in 1970, but a year later, he launched a "farewell tour" with the Miracles, though the group would continue without him (and Robinson would write one of their latter-day hits, "Floy Joy"). After a two-year layoff, Robinson returned to the recording studio with his first solo album, 1973s Smokey. The album found Robinson focusing on midtempo romantic numbers as well as more mature and personal themes, which would carry over to his second solo effort, 1974s Pure Smokey. Robinson scored a pair of major R&B; hits with 1975s A Quiet Storm, the title tune and "Baby, Thats Backatcha," and the former tune would give a name to the sort of polished, romantic R&B; that was becoming Robinsons stock in trade. Robinson was no longer as consistent a hitmaker as he once was, but he continued to make his presence known on the charts with tunes such as "Cruisin" (from 1979s Where Theres Smoke) and "Being with You" (from the 1981 album of the same name). The year 1987 was a memorable one for Robinson -- the album One Heartbeat would score a massive hit for him with the song "Just to See Her," which also earned him a Grammy, and he was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (though the rest of the Miracles were not, much to his consternation). But this came near the end of an important era for Robinson -- in 1988, Motown was sold to MCA, and Robinson stepped down as vice president. In 1990, he recorded a final album for Motown, Love Smokey (Robinson received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy the same year), and he signed with SBK Records for 1992s Double Good Everything. The end of Motown came during a turbulent period for Robinson -- in the mid-80s, he developed a serious addiction to cocaine, and his marriage to Claudette ended in divorce in 1986. While Robinson would kick drugs shortly after the end of his marriage, following the commercial disappointment of Double Good Everything, he wouldnt record again until 1999, when he recorded Intimate for MCAs revived Motown label. In 2004, Robinson (who cited a spiritual reawakening as a key factor in giving up drugs) recorded a contemporary gospel album, Food for the Spirit, and a collection of standards, Timeless Love, followed in 2006. Robinson returned to the smooth soul sounds of his 70s and 80s solo work with 2009s Time Flies When Youre Having Fun, released on his own label, Robso Records; several tracks from this album were matched with remakes of Robinsons Motown hits for the collection Now & Then. In 2014, he released a Verve album, Smokey & Friends, for which he remade 11 of his most popular compositions with a roster of duet partners that included Elton John, James Taylor, Mary J. Blige, and Jessie J. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 25 Title: Smokey Released: 1973-06-19 Tracks: 9 Duration: 39:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Holly (04:37) 2 Never My Love / Never Can Say Goodbye (03:54) 3 A Silent Partner in a Three-Way Love Affair (03:50) 4 Just My Soul Responding (04:57) 5 Sweet Harmony (04:23) 6 Will You Love Me Tomorrow? (04:42) 7 Wanna Know My Mind (03:40) 8 The Family Song (04:22) 9 Baby Come Close (05:00) |
| Smokey : Allmusic album Review : Smokey is a tentative step forward, carrying clear remnants of Smokey Robinsons latter-day music with the Miracles, which shouldn’t come as a great surprise considering that it’s anchored by “Sweet Harmony,” a tune he wrote about and for the Miracles but was persuaded by Motown A&R;’s Suzanne de Passe to keep for himself. From there, Robinson built a full LP, using Willie Hutch as his co-producer and writing a clutch of songs with Marvin Tarplin, his co-author on several Miracles hits. Certainly, the rich, gorgeous harmonies of “Sweet Harmony” consciously evoke the Miracles but the group is heard elsewhere too, in the bright bounce of “Wanna Know My Mind” and in its covers of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” and a medley of “Never My Love/Never Can Say Goodbye,” both bringing to mind Motown’s habit of recycling contemporary hits. These echoes of the past are comforting, particularly because they’re surrounded by modernity, thanks in part to Hutch’s lush, layered production but also Smokey’s willingness to embrace the shifting times, naturally favoring smooth soul to gritty funk, letting it escalate to an almost cinematic scale and, more importantly, not shying away from subjects he’d never tackle during the ‘60s whether it’s his family or the saga of a teenage runaway. It’s not a bold break into maturity on the level of What’s Going On or Music of My Mind but rather a transitional album, and a fascinating one at that, suggesting the path he would take going forward. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 25 Title: Pure Smokey Released: 1974-03-15 Tracks: 9 Duration: 33:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Its Her Turn to Live (03:10) 2 The Love Between Me and My Kids (02:55) 3 Asleep on My Love (04:00) 4 I Am I Am (03:44) 5 Just Passing Through (03:20) 6 Virgin Man (05:09) 7 Shes Only a Baby Herself (03:53) 8 Fulfill Your Need (02:50) 9 A Tattoo (04:26) |
| Pure Smokey : Allmusic album Review : Pure Smokey consolidates Smokey Robinson’s progressions on Smokey, retaining the adventurous maturity of subject matter -- in particular, Robinson remains fixated on family, paying tribute to the sister who raised him on “It’s Her Turn to Live,” noting the passing generations on “She’s Only a Baby Herself,” and expressing “The Love Between Me and My Kids” -- but moving firmly into the present with his music. Apart from the closing “A Tattoo,” which was co-produced by Willie Hutch, Pure Smokey is helmed by Smokey himself and he creates a seamless blend of smoothed-out disco and gorgeous soft soul, the former firmly within the commercial realm of 1974 and the latter creating the sound he would coin Quiet Storm on his next LP. Here, Smokey favors lively beats over slow sways -- even the midtempo numbers carry a bounce to their rhythm -- yet these insistent, danceable rhythms convey an element of seduction thanks to Smokey’s velvet delivery, a smoothness that’s undeniable in his vocals and arrangements. So smooth is Pure Smokey that it’s easy to overlook its subtle innovations in subject and music, but that’s what makes it a rich, enduring LP: it goes down easy but pays back greater dividends upon close listening. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 25 Title: Love Breeze Released: 1978 Tracks: 8 Duration: 36:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Why You Wanna See My Bad Side? (03:45) 2 Love So Fine (04:34) 3 Feeling You, Feeling Me (03:52) 4 Madam X (06:28) 5 Shoe Soul (04:41) 6 Trying It Again (04:53) 7 Daylight & Darkness (04:03) 8 Im Loving You Softly (04:29) |
| Love Breeze : Allmusic album Review : Take away a bad attempt at trendiness "Why You Wanna See My Bad Side," a dullard "Feeling You, Feeling Me," a metaphoric disaster "Shoe Soul," and Love Breeze isnt half bad. The shimmering, floating "Daylight And Darkness" is a mesmerizer depicting his wifes dual personality. Claudette, an ex wife now, is a Gemini, an astrological sign known for split personalities. Smokey sings the stinging lyrics as if hes trying to penetrate Claudettes soul. The upbeat, romping "Loves So Fine," is a finger snapper that grabs you immediately. A soft, slow "Im Loving You Softly" reeks of romanticism, while "Trying It Again," an uptempo romper, featuring a looping bassline, has a long, spirited fade with Smokey competing with the bass player for bragging rights. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 25 Title: Where Theres Smoke... Released: 1979-05-22 Tracks: 7 Duration: 35:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Its a Good Night (05:47) 2 I Love the Nearness of You (04:29) 3 The Hurts on You (04:14) 4 Ever Had A Dream (03:45) 5 Get Ready (05:56) 6 Share It (04:57) 7 Cruisin’ (05:54) |
| Where There's Smoke... : Allmusic album Review : This album was a considerable return to form, Smokey Robinsons most commercially successful solo LP up to this point (and highest-charting record in 11 years), entirely due to the single "Cruisin" (number four pop and R&B;), his biggest pop hit since "The Tears of a Clown." Motown doesnt seem to have recognized that tracks potency, leading off with the flop "Get Ready" (a disco treatment of the old Temptations hit) before turning to "Cruisin" as a second single several months after the LPs release. Where Theres Smoke... then took off and peaked at number 17, more than six months after first appearing. Although the LP is divided into "Smoke" and "Fire" sides, both sides start out with rhythmic songs and gradually slow down to near-ballad speed, with the sensuous "Cruisin" the final "Fire" track. In retrospect, the album may be uneven and a touch too disco-ish in places, but in 1979-1980, Wheres Theres Smoke... brought Smokey Robinson back into the limelight. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 25 Title: Warm Thoughts Released: 1980 Tracks: 8 Duration: 36:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Let Me Be the Clock (05:10) 2 Heavy on Pride (Light on Love) (04:07) 3 Into Each Rain Some Life Must Fall (04:34) 4 Wine, Women and Song (04:45) 5 Melody Man (04:53) 6 Whats in Your Life for Me (04:43) 7 I Want to Be Your Love (03:57) 8 Travelin Through (04:22) |
| Warm Thoughts : Allmusic album Review : On his follow-up to "Cruisin," Smokey Robinson goes right back to that lazy, romantic style with "Let Me Be the Clock" (#4 R&B;, #31 Pop), which leads off the aptly named Warm Thoughts. Robinson seems to have taken the success of "Cruisin" as his opportunity to distance himself from disco and return to his more familiar ballad style, even injecting a touch of his old wordplay in "Into Each Rain Some Life Must Fall." Side two begins with the more uptempo "Melody Man," which was arranged, co-written, and co-produced by Stevie Wonder, but for the most part this is the bedroom Smokey Robinson, and that got him to #14 on the LP chart, his highest solo peak yet. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 25 Title: Being With You Released: 1981-02-17 Tracks: 8 Duration: 32:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Being With You (04:00) 2 Food for Thought (04:09) 3 If You Wanna Make Love (03:30) 4 Whos Sad (03:45) 5 Cant Fight Love (05:47) 6 You Are Forever (04:39) 7 As You Do (03:16) 8 I Hear the Children Singing (03:44) |
| Being With You : Allmusic album Review : Back in the late 70s, Smokey Robinson made a great comeback with his 1979 hit "Cruisin." With his broadened lyrical style and more knowing in his voice, the aesthetic powered such album classics as Where Theres Smoke and Warm Thoughts. 1981s Being With You, in effect, ended the ride, but the hits more than continued. The single "Being With You" is a deft update of Robinsons 60s naïveté and is certainly a great pop record. The same cant be said for most of the tracks here. Handing over the production reigns to George Tobin, some of Robinsons quirks and musical trademarks are lost to polished and radio-friendly production. The songs arent great here, either. The didactic and reggae-tinged "Food for Thought" just comes off silly. For the most part, Robinson doesnt offer much credible pure romance here. "As You Do," "Cant Fight Love," and "Whos Sad" all fail to make an impression. Thats not true of the last track. The oddly affecting "I Hear the Children Crying" has him getting emotional, as his final note on the song seals the deal. Despite Robinsons paean to the "kids," his songwriting skills are a little off here. While a big hit is here and Robinsons in fine form, Being With You is a letdown in comparison to the two efforts before this. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 25 Title: Yes Its You Lady Released: 1982-01 Tracks: 9 Duration: 38:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Tell Me Tomorrow (06:25) 2 Yes Its You Lady (04:43) 3 Old Fashioned Love (03:12) 4 Are You Still Here (02:33) 5 The Only Game In Town (04:50) 6 International Baby (04:07) 7 Merry Go Ride (05:31) 8 Ill Try Something New (03:34) 9 Destiny (03:48) |
 | Album: 8 of 25 Title: Essar Released: 1984-05-21 Tracks: 9 Duration: 41:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 And I Dont Love You (05:20) 2 Train of Thought (04:55) 3 I Cant Find (06:15) 4 Why Are You Running From My Love (04:20) 5 Gone Forever (03:10) 6 Close Encounters of the First Kind (04:35) 7 Little Girl Little Girl (05:12) 8 Girl Im Standing There (04:25) 9 Driving Thru Life in the Fast Lane (03:32) |
| Essar : Allmusic album Review : Essar marks the low point of Smokey Robinsons solo career. Co-producer and arranger Sonny Burke, a long-time Robinson recording partner, provides nearly all the tracks, dominating the sound with his synthesized keyboards. On songs like "And I Dont Love You" (#33 R&B;), its hard to identify the result as a Smokey Robinson record. This may help explain why Essar, Robinsons second straight album not to generate a Hot 100 Pop chart entry, was his lowest charting studio album on the Pop LPs list (#141). But it also flopped with R&B; fans, peaking at #35 and becoming his first album not to generate at least one Top 10 R&B; hit. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 25 Title: Being With You / Where Theres Smoke Released: 1986 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:07:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Being With You (04:08) 2 Food for Thought (04:09) 3 If You Wanna Make Love (03:32) 4 Whos Sad (03:40) 5 Cant Fight Love (05:56) 6 You Are Forever (04:29) 7 As You Do (03:13) 8 I Hear The Children Singing (03:42) 9 Its A Good Night (05:46) 10 I Love the Nearness of You (04:29) 11 The Hurts on You (04:14) 12 Ever Had A Dream (03:45) 13 Get Ready (05:56) 14 Share It (04:57) 15 Cruisin’ (05:54) |
| Being With You / Where There's Smoke : Allmusic album Review : In the early days of the CD age, Motown released an astonishing number of CDs, including a whole line of single-disc sets that contained two original records on one CD. Motowns initial CD two-fers were criticized in many quarters for shoddy, unattractive packaging and indifferent remastering, but less discriminating consumers found them perfectly acceptable, since they offered a lot of music at a reasonable price. By the mid-90s, Motown eventually phased these discs out of print, replacing them with remastered individual discs, but some of the records never were re-released on CD, which made this series valuable for Motown collectors. This particular disc contained two of Smokey Robinsons most popular solo albums from the early 80s: Being with You and Where Theres Smoke... Both of the records are uneven, containing a couple of great singles, a few solid album tracks and some filler, but theyre worth exploring by hardcore fans, especially in this context, since the highlights on both records tend to balance out the weaknesses. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 25 Title: Smoke Signals Released: 1986 Tracks: 10 Duration: 42:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Some People Will Do Anything for Love (04:22) 2 Sleepless Nights (04:07) 3 Because of You Its the Best Its Ever Been (04:12) 4 Be Kind to the Growing Mind (04:45) 5 Te Quiero Como Si No Hubiera Un Manana (04:18) 6 Hold on to Your Love (05:12) 7 Photograph in My Mind (03:50) 8 No Time to Stop Believing (04:10) 9 Wishful Thinking (04:05) 10 Hanging on by a Thread (03:45) |
 | Album: 11 of 25 Title: One Heartbeat Released: 1987-02-24 Tracks: 9 Duration: 37:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Just to See Her (04:04) 2 One Heartbeat (04:07) 3 Its Time to Stop Shoppin Around (04:02) 4 Why Do Happy Memories Hurt So Bad (04:06) 5 You Dont Know What Its Like (03:54) 6 Whats Too Much (04:23) 7 Love Brought Us Here (03:57) 8 Love Dont Give No Reason (04:25) 9 Keep Me (04:57) |
| One Heartbeat : Allmusic album Review : Another superb Robinson album. He continued scoring hit singles throughout the 1980s, and this time out, the song "Just To See Her" was another huge pop and R&B; smash, and the title track did almost as well. Robinson was thriving, despite the fact that hip-hop was steadily gaining strength, and New Jack Swing would soon force its way into the urban contemporary spotlight. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 25 Title: Smokey / A Quiet Storm Released: 1990 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:12:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Holly (04:37) 2 Medley: Never My Love / Never Can Say Goodbye (03:54) 3 A Silent Partner in a Three-Way Love Affair (03:50) 4 Just My Soul Responding (04:56) 5 Sweet Harmony (04:23) 6 Will You Love Me Tomorrow (04:42) 7 Wanna Know My Mind (03:40) 8 The Family Song (04:22) 9 Baby Come Close (03:50) 10 Quiet Storm (07:47) 11 The Agony and the Ecstasy (03:27) 12 Baby Thats Backatcha (03:48) 13 Wedding Song (03:35) 14 Happy (Love Theme from "Lady Sings the Blues") (07:12) 15 Love Letters (04:12) 16 Coincidentally (04:34) |
| Smokey / A Quiet Storm : Allmusic album Review : In the early days of the CD age, Motown released an astonishing number of CDs, including a whole line of single-disc sets that contained two original records on one CD. Motowns initial CD two-fers were criticized in many quarters for shoddy, unattractive packaging and indifferent remastering, but less discriminating consumers found them perfectly acceptable, since they offered a lot of music at a reasonable price. By the mid-90s, Motown eventually phased these discs out of print, replacing them with remastered individual discs, but some of the records never were re-released on CD, which made this series valuable for Motown collectors. This particular disc contained two of Smokey Robinsons first solo albums: Smokey and A Quiet Storm. These albums helped establish the smooth, easy listening urban soul style known as quiet storm (it was named after this record). Although they were influential, they were a little uneven, containing a couple of great singles, a few solid album tracks and some filler. Despite the haphazard material, its easy to hear the influence these records have and its nice to have them on one disc. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 25 Title: The Tracks of My Tears: The Best Of Released: 1990 Tracks: 18 Duration: 55:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 The Tracks of My Tears (02:54) 2 The Tears of a Clown (03:00) 3 My Guy (02:51) 4 Going to a Go-Go (02:46) 5 Aint That Peculiar (03:01) 6 I Second That Emotion (02:47) 7 Ooo Baby Baby (02:46) 8 Still Water (Love) (03:09) 9 Cruisin’ (04:28) 10 Being With You (04:06) 11 My Girl (02:45) 12 Youve Really Got a Hold on Me (03:00) 13 Shop Around (02:49) 14 Get Ready (02:39) 15 More Love (02:48) 16 The Way You Do the Things You Do (02:45) 17 Dont Look Back (02:51) 18 Whats Too Much (04:20) |
 | Album: 14 of 25 Title: Love, Smokey Released: 1990 Tracks: 13 Duration: 57:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love Is The Light (05:18) 2 Love n Life (04:45) 3 Same Old Love (05:01) 4 I Cant Find (04:06) 5 Take Me Through The Night (03:53) 6 Everything You Touch (04:12) 7 Dont Wanna Be Just Physical (05:03) 8 Come to Me Soon (04:36) 9 You Made Me Feel Love (04:07) 10 Jasmin (04:28) 11 Easy (04:35) 12 Just Another Kiss (03:32) 13 Unless You Do It Again (03:36) |
| Love, Smokey : Allmusic album Review : This is another Smokey Robinson album (executive produced by Iris Gordy, Berrys daughter) and, well, its definitely one of those discs you can put on for background, or while making out. Lord knows, the man is in fine, fine voice, indeed. However, for all the participation by people of the caliber of George Duke (who produced and appears on several tracks), the album mostly doesnt rise above sweet soul. Only four of the tracks break the groove and become anything else, and those are mostly straight dance grooves. The sound, arrangements, and performances are flawless. The disc has a clean, transparent, and airy sound thats rarely encountered this side of frothy new age discs, while the synthesizer and sampler work is terrific (the non- keyboard instruments, when they appear, are excellent, too). Unfortunately, very few of the songs have any particular immediacy, and none of them stick in the mind the way Smokey Robinsons songs used to -- the closest any of these come is "Easy," which has all the classic Motown elements wrapped up together, right down to the Stevie Wonder-style harmonica. More typical is "Unless You Do It Again" (one of two CD-only tracks; the other is "Just Another Kiss"), which sounds for all the world just about how one would imagine Philly soul nowadays -- MFSB with the technological edge. The album is basically very smooth, beautifully executed, and sounds good. The question: Is there really a market out there for yuppie soul? The phrase itself seems surely an oxymoron. But, oh, that voice. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 25 Title: Double Good Everything Released: 1991-10-22 Tracks: 10 Duration: 38:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Why (03:55) 2 Double Good Everything (03:48) 3 Rewind (03:43) 4 Be Who You Are (04:32) 5 I Love Your Face (02:36) 6 I Cant Get Enough (04:20) 7 Rack Me Back (04:07) 8 When A Woman Cries (03:32) 9 You Take Me Away (03:56) 10 Skid Row (04:23) |
| Double Good Everything : Allmusic album Review : Smokeys first recording outside of Motowns auspices didnt have fans rushing to record shops. The intro to the rollicking "I Cant Get Enough" reminds you of the Four Tops "I Cant Help Myself." "Rack Me Back" is a blues song, complete with a guitar solo on the break and sassy lyrics. He tries to get a piece of Lionel Richies audience with "When a Womans Cries" which features his light tenor crooning to a piano. He gets back to being Smokey on "You Take Me Away," a pretty love song and the only compelling number here. "Double Good Everything" is a bar rocker that Smokey fans arent accustomed to; the exotic-sounding "Rewind" is more his style and comes off better. The producer had Smokey singing in too many genres -- you got blues, soul, pop, and slivers of country and reggae all in one package. Though pleasant and inoffensive, this will disappoint even diehard Smokey Robinson fans and wont win him many new ones. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 25 Title: Motown Legends: Cruisin / Being With You Released: 1995-05-24 Tracks: 11 Duration: 47:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cruisin’ (04:28) 2 Love So Fine (04:34) 3 If You Want My Love (03:48) 4 Get Ready (04:38) 5 You Cannot Laugh Alone (03:43) 6 Vitamin U (04:34) 7 Being With You (04:00) 8 In My Corner (04:46) 9 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (04:43) 10 Food for Thought (04:09) 11 The Tracks of My Tears (live) (04:01) |
| Motown Legends: Cruisin' / Being With You : Allmusic album Review : Collectables Motown Legends: Being With You is a good budget-priced, ten-track collection containing some of Smokey Robinsons most popular songs from the late 70s and early 80s, including "Being With You," "Cruisin," and a live version of "The Tracks of My Tears." Please note that this edition includes the exact same track listing and cover art as the 1995 Motown Legends: Cruisin/Being With You release. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 25 Title: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Smokey Robinson Released: 2000-09-26 Tracks: 11 Duration: 48:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cruisin (04:30) 2 Baby Come Close (03:30) 3 Baby Thats Backatcha (03:41) 4 Quiet Storm (07:46) 5 Let Me Be the Clock (05:17) 6 There Will Come a Day (Im Gonna Happen to You) (03:00) 7 Being With You (04:08) 8 Tell Me Tomorrow, Part 1 (03:50) 9 Ive Made Love to You a Thousand Times (04:22) 10 One Heartbeat (04:07) 11 Ooo Baby Baby (live) (04:07) |
| 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Smokey Robinson : Allmusic album Review : The Millennium Collection: The Best of Smokey Robinson collects the highlights of Robinsons career after the Miracles, including "Quiet Storm," "Being With You," "One Heartbeat," and "Cruisin." "Let Me Be the Clock," "Baby Come Close," and a live version of "Ooo Baby Baby" round out this portrait of Robinsons sweet, sensual, maturing style. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 25 Title: The Solo Anthology Released: 2001-09-25 Tracks: 32 Duration: 2:29:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sweet Harmony (04:41) 2 Baby Come Close (03:30) 3 Just My Soul Responding (05:24) 4 Virgin Man (05:11) 5 I Am, I Am (03:55) 6 Quiet Storm (07:46) 7 The Agony And The Ecstasy (04:48) 8 Baby Thats Backatcha (03:42) 9 Open (03:54) 10 There Will Come A Day ( Im Gonna Happen To You ) (03:00) 11 Daylight And Darkness (04:03) 12 Shoe Soul (03:56) 13 Tracks Of My Tears (Live) (04:07) 14 Cruisin (05:57) 15 Let Me Be The Clock (05:18) 16 Heavy On Pride (Light On Love) (04:11) 1 Being With You (04:10) 2 You Are Forever (04:29) 3 Tell Me Tomorrow (06:28) 4 Yes Its You Lady (04:47) 5 Ive Made Love To You A Thousand Times (04:23) 6 Blame It On Love (Duet with Barbara Mitchell) (03:38) 7 Dont Play Another Love Song (04:54) 8 Ebony Eyes (Duet with Rick James) (05:05) 9 Little Girl, Little Girl (05:11) 10 I Cant Find (04:08) 11 Be Kind To The Growing Mind (with The Temptations) (04:48) 12 Just To See Her Again (04:03) 13 One Heartbeat (04:07) 14 Love Don Give No Reason (12 Inch Club Mix) (06:56) 15 Everything You Touch (04:14) 16 Weve Saved The Best For Last (Kenny G with Smokey Robinson) (04:18) |
| The Solo Anthology : Allmusic album Review : Theres little question that this double-disc, 32-track collection is too much for most fans -- whether theyre fans of Robinsons solo efforts, or Miracles fans looking to find a one-stop collection of his very best solo hits. Nevertheless, this could hardly be called anything but thorough, since it chronicles not only all of his crossover hits, but also urban soul hits, radio favorites, and album cuts. As such, it can be a bit much, particularly because only "Quiet Storm," "Being With You," "Cruisin," and maybe "Ebony Eyes" could be conceivably ranked among his best work, but this is certainly the most thorough and best overview of Smokeys solo recordings. And while it may be too much for the average listener, its hard to imagine how this could be bettered for the serious fan. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 25 Title: Food For The Spirit Released: 2004-04-20 Tracks: 9 Duration: 44:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Jesus Told Me To Love You (05:55) 2 Let Your Light Shine On Me (04:41) 3 The Road to Damascus (05:34) 4 Standing On Jesus (03:19) 5 He Can Fix Anything (03:50) 6 I Have Prayed On It (05:48) 7 Gang Bangin (05:02) 8 I Praise & Worship You Father (04:29) 9 We Are The Warriors (05:43) |
| Food For The Spirit : Allmusic album Review : Food for the Spirit is Smokey Robinsons entry into the contemporary gospel music field. He wrote all nine tracks and enlisted the help of producer and arranger Michael Stokes as well as DAndre Franklin and Clinton Stokes III. Food for the Spirit is a slick, very contemporary soul-gospel recording. The production is pure crystalline sheen. It is pervasive and large and at times overwhelms Robinsons still gorgeous voice. There is great conviction in most of these songs and Robinson delivers his creations with passion and grace, as on "Let Your Light Shine on Me," "Jesus Told Me to Love You," and "I Praise & Worship You Father," overcoming the glassine pop soup of the arrangements. But elsewhere, the clubbed-out funk of "He Can Fix Anything," the funked-up soul of "Gang Bangin," and the hip-hop chants on "We Are the Warriors" are so drenched in honey-slick instrumentation and layered vocals that Robinsons message is lost in the proceedings. Its obvious for which fences the production team on this record was swinging, and they just might get there, but the cost is high. In the right hands, Smokey Robinson could have delivered one of the greatest gospel records of all time; this isnt it. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 25 Title: My World: The Definitive Collection Released: 2005-05-03 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:14:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 My World (03:17) 2 Fallin (03:54) 3 Cruisin’ (05:54) 4 Just to See Her (03:58) 5 The Tears of a Clown (03:00) 6 Youve Really Go a Hold on Me (03:11) 7 Going to a Go-Go (02:46) 8 Mickeys Monkey (03:12) 9 Shop Around (02:49) 10 The Tracks of My Tears (02:55) 11 Being With You (04:00) 12 Baby Thats Backatcha (03:39) 13 I Second That Emotion (02:47) 14 More Love (02:46) 15 Yester Love (02:18) 16 Ooo Baby Baby (02:45) 17 Baby Come Close (03:27) 18 Ive Made Love to You a Thousand Times (04:21) 19 Quiet Storm (single version) (04:02) 20 Let Me Be the Clock (05:14) 21 One Heartbeat (04:02) |
| My World: The Definitive Collection : Allmusic album Review : Compiling a single-disc set of tracks from William "Smokey" Robinsons long career and calling it a "definitive collection" is a bit absurd, since Robinson -- as a writer, singer, producer, and arranger -- has had a hand in countless hits over the years, at Motown and elsewhere, and nothing short of an extensive box set could hope to even come close to defining that kind of pop history. What My World as a single-disc compilation does do, though, is bring together tracks from all phases of Robinsons tenure, from his 1960s and early-70s material with the Miracles through his smooth R&B; hits as a solo artist in the later 70s and 80s, and then tops everything off with two brand new songs, making this a collection that spans four decades of elegantly arranged romantic pop in just over 70 minutes. You cant complain about a lack of quality, since the classic Miracles hits are here, including "The Tears of a Clown" and "The Tracks of My Tears," as well as Robinsons biggest solo hits, like the lush, irresistible "Cruisin" from 1979 and his genre-defining "Quiet Storm," which lent its title to a whole new R&B; radio format. Still, it will always be a little jarring to hear the earlier Miracles material next to the smoother (relatively) solo stuff, even if most of the musical ingredients are the same. The new tracks are lushly and lovingly arranged, and "My World" in particular seems to have the stamp of a future Smokey classic. Die-hard fans will want the two new songs, but undoubtedly will already have everything else collected here, so devotion will have to be measured. Casual listeners will benefit the most, getting an overview of Smokeys considerable achievements in one package, although thats no excuse for not going back and buying every Miracles album in the rack. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 25 Title: Timeless Love Released: 2006 Tracks: 13 Duration: 55:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 You Go to My Head (04:31) 2 Im in the Mood for Love (05:05) 3 Our Love Is Here to Stay (05:29) 4 Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (03:20) 5 Night and Day (05:51) 6 Im Glad There Is You (03:40) 7 More Than You Know (03:17) 8 Speak Low (04:09) 9 Time After Time (05:10) 10 I Cant Give You Anything but Love (02:49) 11 I Like Your Face (02:56) 12 Ive Got You Under My Skin (04:29) 13 Tea for Two (05:04) |
| Timeless Love : Allmusic album Review : Smokey Robinson hasnt had much use for making records since his records stopped selling in significant numbers, which happened as of the early 90s; after that, his only regular album has been 1999s Intimate. But Universal Musics New Door imprint exists for the purpose of making new recordings with veteran artists for whom the major label is the repository for the bulk of their catalogs (think Joe Cocker, Nanci Griffith), and Robinson fits that criterion perfectly, since Universal controls the Motown library. But instead of making an album of new, original songs, Robinson has opted for the hoary concept of "aging rock-era pop star sings pre-rock standards," an idea that was never good to begin with and that should have been buried with the final entry in Rod Stewarts series of atrocities. Happily, Robinsons version turns out to be not half bad. One reason for this is that, unlike Stewart et al., his model is not Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack, but rather some of the jazz singers who also essayed the work of Cole Porter and other pre-1950 songwriters. Robinson seems to have first heard these songs as sung by Ella Fitzgerald (his primary influence), Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday, among others. When he sings "Im in the Mood for Love," he throws in some of the King Pleasure vocalese on James Moodys jazz interpretation of the song, "Moodys Mood for Love." Robinson is no stranger to the material; he first recorded Kurt Weills "Speak Low" and Porters "Ive Got You Under My Skin" with the Miracles in 1962, and now as a 66-year-old he isnt afraid to take these songs where he wants to take them, i.e., in the direction of his 80s "quiet storm" hits. They are all the better for it. As of 2006, Robinson was spending his time playing the concert halls in the many hotel/casinos around the country; his versions of these standards would be as likely to drawn appreciation in such venues as his old hits. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 25 Title: Time Flies When Youre Having Fun Released: 2009-11-02 Tracks: 12 Duration: 57:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Time Flies (04:59) 2 Dont Know Why (03:54) 3 Girlfriend (04:25) 4 Youre the One for Me (feat. Joss Stone) (05:05) 5 One Time (04:47) 6 Please Dont Take Your Love (feat. Carlos Santana) (04:49) 7 That Place (04:53) 8 Love Bath (05:32) 9 Whatcha Gonna Do (05:19) 10 Satisfy You (04:45) 11 Youre Just My Life (feat. India.Arie) (04:09) 12 I Want You Back (04:42) |
| Time Flies When You're Having Fun : Allmusic album Review : The time that has flown is Smokeys 50 years in the business, but it could just as well refer to the number of years since Robinson has released a smooth soul album: almost 20 full years! Smokey, of course, has stayed active during the interim, both on-stage and on record, but Time Flies When Youre Having Fun marks a return to the coolly simmering quiet storm that was his stock in trade during the 70s and 80s. Apart from production techniques, not much has changed in Smokeys music during the time off, either: this is still smooth, unhurried soul that vacillates between elegance and supper-club classiness. Of course, since these are two sides of the same coin, they fit together seamlessly, with the only question being whether the immaculately polished music veers toward the corny, but whenever it does, Smokeys impeccably tailored vocals steer it back to toward the sweetly romantic. After all these years, Smokey still makes it all seem easy -- so easy that its puzzling why he hasnt made a record like this in so long, because as this comforting, velvety album proves, nobody does it better than he. | ||
 | Album: 23 of 25 Title: Icon: Smokey Robinson Released: 2010-08-31 Tracks: 12 Duration: 46:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Cruisin (05:55) 2 Just To See Her (04:04) 3 Tears Of A Clown (03:06) 4 Shop Around (02:50) 5 Youve Really Got A Hold On Me (02:59) 6 Being With You (04:03) 7 Going To A GoGo (02:51) 8 I Second That Emotion (02:42) 9 One Heartbeat (04:06) 10 The Tracks Of My Tears (03:03) 11 Ooo Baby Baby (02:45) 12 Quiet Storm (07:43) |
 | Album: 24 of 25 Title: Smokey & Friends Released: 2014-08-19 Tracks: 12 Duration: 45:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Tracks of My Tears (03:27) 2 You Really Got a Hold on Me (03:25) 3 My Girl (04:31) 4 Cruisin (04:53) 5 Quiet Storm (04:58) 6 The Way You Do (The Things You Do) (03:34) 7 Being With You (04:15) 8 Aint That Peculiar (03:47) 9 The Tears of a Clown (03:23) 10 Ooh Baby Baby (03:00) 11 Get Ready (03:21) 12 Get Ready (03:08) |
| Smokey & Friends : Allmusic album Review : Smokey & Friends seems like its as much an American Idol judges and mentors project -- or a sequel to Randy Jacksons Music Club -- than a celebration of Smokey Robinsons career. Produced by Jackson, Smokey duets with his guests on fresh versions of popular compositions he wrote during the early 60s through the early 80s, popularized by Smokey himself -- with and without the Miracles -- or other artists, namely the Temptations and Marvin Gaye. The array of vocal matchups alternates between suitable and, yeah, peculiar. For an instance of the latter, Steven Tyler wails, screeches, and ad libs all over "You Really Got a Hold on Me" while Nicole Scherzinger, a prominent background voice, takes a reverent approach that verges on solemn. Not only is it a poor matchup with Smokeys typically sweet and steady delivery, but its the song where the recording method -- the vocalists didnt record together -- is most obvious. Smokey gets the best results with the veteran R&B; women, Ledisi ("Ooh Baby Baby") and Mary J. Blige ("Being with You"), while pairings with the likes of Elton John ("The Tracks of My Tears") and James Taylor ("Aint That Peculiar") are livelier than expected but forgettable. The noteworthy guests arent limited to singers. Among the backing musicians are Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, John Mayer, Cornelius Mims, Jim Keltner, and Jackson himself. The instrumental support is mostly middle-of-the-road adult contemporary R&B; without any conscious attempt to sound retro. One deviation -- "Get Ready," where Smokey is joined by Gary Barlow -- slathers modern dance-pop coloring to dismal effect. Compared to the originals, or even the better covers released during the intervening years, these versions are pleasant if sterile. Had everyone recorded together, the set would have at least benefited from some unforced spontaneity. | ||
 | Album: 25 of 25 Title: Free Soul: The Classic of Smokey Robinson Released: 2014-10-08 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:22:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Quiet Storm (07:48) 2 Get Out Of Town (04:48) 3 I Love The Nearness Of You (04:28) 4 The Family Song (04:21) 5 More Love (02:48) 6 The Tracks Of My Tears (02:54) 7 Ooo Baby Baby (02:44) 8 Cruisin (05:52) 9 Never My Love - Never Can Say Goodbye (03:51) 10 Choosey Beggar (02:32) 11 Baby That`s Backatcha (03:48) 12 If You Can Want (02:44) 13 I Second That Emotion (02:41) 14 Yester Love (02:18) 15 Special Occasion (02:22) 16 The Tears Of A Clown (03:01) 17 Mickeys Monkey (03:13) 18 Going To A Go-Go (02:45) 19 Shop Around (02:50) 20 Daylight & Darkness (04:00) 21 My Girl Has Gone (02:50) 22 Just Passing Through (03:21) 23 Being With You (04:06) |