Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson is an iconic American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the founder and frontman of the Motown group the Miracles.
William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. was born on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, in a poor family from the North End neighborhood. He formed his first group, the Five Chimes (later the Matadors and then the Miracles), in high school around 1955, drawing influences from doo-wop and jazz like Sarah Vaughan.
In 1957, Robinson met Berry Gordy, impressing him with a notebook of 100 songs, which led to the Miracles signing with Gordy's Tamla Records (later Motown). Their 1960 hit "Shop Around" became Motown's first million-seller and R&B No. 1. Robinson served as chief songwriter and producer, crafting hits like "My Girl" and "The Way You Do the Things You Do" for acts including the Temptations and Mary Wells.
By the mid-1960s, he became Motown's vice president, talent scout, and in-house producer until 1990. He retired from the Miracles in 1972 but launched a solo career in 1973 with albums like Smokey and hits such as "Cruisin'," "Being with You," "Quiet Storm," and "Just to See Her."
Robinson earned a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1983, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1987 (both with the Miracles and solo), a 1988 Grammy for "Just to See Her," Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989, Gershwin Prize in 2016, and more. His velvet falsetto and poetic lyrics have shaped soul music over six decades.
A Quiet Storm
7:47
A2 The Agony And The Ecstasy
4:43
A3 Baby That's Backatcha
3:36
A4 Wedding Song
3:20
B1 Happy (Love Theme From "Lady Sings The Blues")
7:05
B2 Love Letters
4:04
B3 Coincidentally
4:22
Written by Michel Legrand (tracks: B1), Rose Ella Jones (tracks: A1, B2), William "Smokey" Robinson
Label: Tamla – T6-337S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Motown
Smokey Robinson's 1975 album A Quiet Storm is widely hailed as a landmark in R&B history, famously credited with inventing the "Quiet Storm" radio format and subgenre. Following two underperforming solo records, the album revitalized Robinson's career by showcasing a mature, "contemplative romantic soul" sound that diverged from the upbeat pop of his Miracles era.
Critics emphasize that the album defined a late-night, soulful programming style—low, slow, and sophisticated—that dominated radio for decades.
Reviews frequently highlight Robinson's "breathy" and "intimate" vocal delivery, often recorded with close-mic techniques to enhance the "languid intimacy" of the tracks.
The album is often noted for its cohesive "concept," with the title track’s synthesizer-simulated wind effects appearing throughout to bridge the songs.
AllMusic awards it 4.5/5 stars, calling it a "crown jewel" of 1970s soul, while Q Magazine has ranked it among the greatest Motown albums of all time.
Smokey
Written-By – William Robinson
4:35
Medley (3:47)
A2.1 Never My Love
Written-By – Don And Dick Addrisi
A2.2 Never Can Say Goodbye
Written-By – Clifton Davis
A3 A Silent Partner In A Three Way Affair
Written-By – Rose Ella Jones, William Robinson
4:35
A4 Just My Soul Responding
Written-By – Marvin Tarplin, William Robinson
5:00
A5 Sweet Harmony
Written-By – William Robinson
4:10
B1 Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
Written-By – Carole King, Gerry Goffin
4:38
B2 Wanna Know My Mind
Written-By – William Robinson
3:43
B3 The Family Song
Written-By – William Robinson
4:30
B4 Baby Come Close
Written-By – Marvin Tarplin, Pamela Moffett, William Robinson
4:57
Label: Tamla – T 328L
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Motown
Released in 1973, Smokey is the debut solo studio album by Smokey Robinson following his departure from The Miracles. The album is widely regarded by critics as a "transitional" but "fascinating" project that successfully established Robinson's solo identity through lavish production and more personal subject matter.
Modern critics, such as those at AllMusic, highlight the album for its ability to incorporate changing 1970s musical trends, shifting from the "gritty funk" of the era toward a "cinematic" and "smooth soul" sound.
Robert Christgau gave the album a "B," describing it as a "good bad record" and suggesting it revealed Robinson's desire to emulate the style of Isaac Hayes while maintaining his own unique flair.
Key Tracks and Themes:-
The album is noted for exploring themes Robinson rarely touched during his time with The Miracles, including family dynamics and social issues.
"Just My Soul Responding": A standout track featuring Native American musical influences, often cited as a highlights for its "strength and conviction".
"The Family Song": An unusual track that explores Robinson's own family dynamics through the lens of astrological signs.
"Sweet Harmony": A tribute to his former group, The Miracles, which critics have noted as a significant moment of reflection.
"Baby Come Close": Described as one of the most "beautiful ballads" of his career, ending the album on a "soft and hazy romantic note".
The album was produced primarily by Willie Hutch and Smokey Robinson himself. Critics have lauded the production for its "snap" and the use of top Motown players, which provided a "vibrant" and "high-powered" musical backdrop.
User views of Smokey Robinson’s 1973 debut solo album, Smokey, are generally positive, with listeners frequently praising the record's "silky smooth" vocals and its role as a bridge between his work with The Miracles and his later solo success.
Many fans describe Robinson's voice as "glorious" and "honeyed," noting that his signature falsetto remains the highlight of the record. A common sentiment among users is that while Smokey is a "great" album, it is often overshadowed by his 1975 masterpiece, A Quiet Storm, which many consider the pinnacle of his solo career.