How Old Are You? is an extraordinary pop record from vocalist Robin Gibb, although none of these ten excellent tunes penned with twin brother Maurice joined his other two Top 40 hits on the charts. Heavy synthesizers embrace Gibb's distinctive vocals and embellish the sensational "Juliet," which launches side one, as well as the very serious "Another Lonely Night in New York," which opens side two. In between are gems like "Danger," an elegant techno journey. This is the type of song which FM underground radio could have played in the early '80s, a dark sound with hooks galore, and a joy to listen to.
Unlike Robin Gibb's initial foray into solo work in 1969, his recordings in the early '80s did not signal a split in the Bee Gees, but instead came during a much needed hiatus in the parent group's career. The only moment at which his second career appeared to be about to catch fire came in the spring of 1984, when his single "Boys Do Fall in Love" (contained herein) rose into the Top 40 on the pop charts and the Top Ten on the dance charts. Then, this album came out and stiffed, and that was pretty much that. In retrospect, Secret Agent is interesting as a competent take on early '80s synth/dance pop (with a sound closer to the Buggles than the Bee Gees) and is an example of what twin brothers Robin and Maurice (who co-produced and co-wrote all the songs and played keyboards and synthesizers) are capable of without big brother Barry.
50 St. Catherine's Drive is the address where Robin Gibb and his brothers grew up on the Isle of Man in the early '50s, so its selection as the title of his 2014 posthumous album is bittersweet. It is also appropriate, as this record does feel somewhat like a homecoming, with Gibb touching upon many of the sounds and styles he played and sang over the years. Gibb wrote and recorded the majority of these songs between 2006 and 2008, roughly three years before he was diagnosed with the colorectal cancer that took his life on May 20, 2012, so it can't quite be called a deliberate last statement but it almost plays that way as it alternates between sad ballads, gently insistent midtempo pop, and the occasional dance number.
Sing Slowly Sisters was to have been Robin Gibb's second studio album. The album was not released until 2015 due to thousands of Robin's adoring fans. The album was produced by Gibb and his manager Vic Lewis.
The Bee Gees were a music group formed in 1958, featuring brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio were especially successful as a popular music act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and later as prominent performers of the disco music era in the mid-to-late 1970s. The group sang recognisable three-part tight harmonies; Robin's clear vibrato lead vocals were a hallmark of their earlier hits, while Barry's R&B falsetto became their signature sound during the mid-to-late 1970s and 1980s. The Bee Gees wrote all of their own hits, as well as writing and producing several major hits for other artists.
Robin has a very simple reason for his new solo record, after 17 years there is so much material that inspired and excited him, he thought it was about time to release at least a small amount of it. All who love his unmistakable voice are yearning to finally hear the new album. The new longplay 'Magnet' has been produced in Los Angeles and London. Robin chose Deacon to produce (well known for his success with K-Ci & JoJo, Mary J. Blige, Keith Sweat and Hinda Hicks). The record contains tracks written by Robin, Barry and Maurice, as well as other songwriters favored by Robin. Influenced by soul music, Robin decided to combine this with the magnificent lyrics and lush melodies which are his trademark. On the new album you will find all these elements in abundance plus some old tracks, which have been updated.