![]() ![]() Smokey Robinson could have been accused of over-optimism when he wrote ʻHappy (Love Theme From Lady Sings The Blues),” basing it on Michel Legrand’s theme from the movie – but not until after the movie had been completed, reputedly to Berry Gordy’s chagrin as he was highly impressed with the song. “Wedding Song,” written for the 1973 nuptials of Jermaine Jackson and Hazel, the daughter of Motown boss Berry Gordy, mostly sidesteps sickly sentiment, telling of the most important day of many people’s lives with sincere optimism. Jones”-type tale of infidelity, but with a more thoughtful lyric, boasts ringing guitar parts from former Miracle Marv Tarplin and a lush, languid feel as Smokey endures what fellow adult soulsters would later simply term “Joy And Pain.” “Baby That’s Backatcha” focuses more on a funky sound, but this US Top 30 single is hardly grits and growling: threaded with a strand of flute, this is as sweet as club funk ever got mellow-mellow, right on. “The Agony And The Ecstasy,” a “Me And Mrs. Getting on for eight minutes later, you are still lost in its intimate life. The beat of the song is barely apparent – we are miles from Motown’s original trademark crashing snare here – but still, you find yourself rocking to its subtle groove. Opening with an arresting synthesized storm effect and an irresistible bassline, the title track is close-miked, and the breathy quality of his voice was never caught better on record. The mature singer-songwriter chiefly concerned with relationship issues was a successful musical trope of the first half of the 70s, and while Motown had tried to nurture such a figure before, particularly in the two Valerie Simpson albums they released, Smokey Robinson was the artist equipped for the role. The first two were not without their moments, but it seemed as if Smokey was reaching for a style that only really coalesced here. Lost in its intimate lifeĪ Quiet Storm was Smokey’s third solo album, released on March 26, 1975, and by far and away his best to that point. Listen to A Quiet Storm on Apple Music and Spotify. So pour yourself something nice, turn the lights down, and get ready to be immersed in Smokey Robinson‘s A Quiet Storm. Tonight we are going to play it smooth, black, and gently funky low, slow, and slinky for all-grown-up listeners who still have soul. ![]() Welcome to the show, ladies and gentlemen. But there aren’t many records that gave a name and musical outlook to an entire programming format for radio – and one that has thrived for more than four decades. There are examples of records that gave a name to a whole genre (like “Rapper’s Delight,” which used the term “hip-hop” on wax for the first time), and even a sound system that gave birth to a record label and a style of music, such as Rockers. ![]()
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