Smokey Robinson - Solo Anthology

Smokey Grows Up

THE SOLO ANTHOLOGY covers Smokey Robinson's post-Miracle work of the 70s and the 80s. It includes the smash hits "Crusin'," "Being With You", and the Grammy-winning "Just To See Her" as well as such r&b hits as "Baby That's Backatcha", and "Quiet Storm."

What's interesting about this anthology is how Smokey's writing turned towards more "adult" themes. The starry-eyed romance of "More Love" is replaced with songs dealing with extramarital affairs ("The Agony and The Ecstacy"), male virginity ("Virgin Man"), hard-won independence ("I Am I Am"), human rights ("Just My Soul Responding"), and censorship("Be Kind To The Growing Mind").

While there have been many complaints that Mr. Robinson's work "lost something" after he left the Miracles, THE SOLO ANTHOLOGY proves that Smokey could grow up without affecting his unique talents. June 4, 2008

Smokey Robinson Solo Anthology

I read the ratings on this before buying it. For some reason I thought more of his upbeat hits were on this album. Evidently I got confused with his other albums. This is very good and contains many slower songs. I am glad I found it. February 27, 2008

Highly Recommended !

If you are a fan of the legendary Smokey - get this together with "Ooh Baby Baby" the anthology, and if you're not a fan, heaven help you! August 7, 2007

Where there is Smoke!

There is fire. Smokey is as bad now as he was 30 years ago. A must have. May 3, 2007

THE FLIPSIDE OF SMOKEY'S PROLIFIC CAREER

When people mention names of the greatest artists from the most overly prolific record label ever (Motown in case you asked), Smokey isn't the first name many would mention right off the back. Smokey never seemed interested in pushing artistic boundaries Like Stevie and Marvin nor was he interested in adapting to changing styles like Diana and the Tempts. This anthology is evident as to how out of touch Smokey became as the 70's and 80's came about. While a lot of his material was nicely crafted and performed, he just seemed like a relic of a dead age (the 60's) and it showed in his chart action as only a few of these songs became mainstream hits. Smokey's only saving grace was the fact that he racked up so many timeless classics with the Miracles which gauranteed him a loyal fan base for life, and to a lesser extent, his friendship with Barry Gordy. So this Solo anthology not only serves as a effective summary of his post miracles career, it gives fans a reason why he's not held in as high regard as the more popular Motown Artists.

The first disc is the most consistently strong set. Even if smokey wasn't progressing as a artist, he did produce a number of powerful tracks during this period. "Baby come Close" is one of best slow jams ever produced, "Virgin Man" is one of the realest songs he'd ever written, "Cruisin" was the biggest hit during this period and brought him into the 80's with smooth ease, and the mighty three from the Quiet Storm album is present as well. The rest of the tracks are just as good. Since Smokey once again was not fully content on adapting with the times, these songs don't sound as fresh compared to what other contemporary r&b artists were offering during this decade (The Isleys, Barry White, Marvin Gaye, etc.)
All in all, Smokey's 70's period is a intoxicating set of soul music.

As for the second disc, it starts off solid, but goes downhill from there. "Being with You" was his first big hit of the 80's and in spite of its overly pop nature, it's a cool easy listening song. "Tell me Tomorrow" is a sultry dose of bedroom soul, and "Ebony Eyes" is a absolute classic (thanks largely in part to Rick James for producing the track). The first half of the second disc is rock solid, but as Smokey moved deep into the 80's, his music became less intoxicating. He fell victim to the pre New Jack swing R&B formula. His music became overproduced and generic which is is evident from tracks 9 to 14. Songs From "Little Girl, Little Girl" to "Love Don't Give no Reason", is so watererd down until its unlistenable. Even the presence of the big hits; "Just to see Her Again" and "One Heartbeat" is so bland and souless. Not coincidentally, most of the songs in this dreadful stretch didn't even become hits on the R&B charts. The second disc does end on a high note with "Everything you Touch" and his duet with Kenny G "Save the best for Last", but the abundance of sub par material does take away a considerable amount of steam from the second disc and the anthology overall.

This anthology could've been better if they'd dug deep and included more of his 70's material with less emphasis on the 80's. Better yet, why not Give smokey a proper 70's anthology since that was his era musically.

In any case the anthology is still worth checking out. Even if it's disapointing that he never progressed as a solo artist, at least he's sticking to what he knows best and you can't down anybody for that. August 4, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...