Smokey

The genius of William "Smokey" Robinson is immeasurable. As many of his prior songs had shaped R&B and pop music, this album would have a similar effect. The title track became the namesake for a music format. The album itself had three singles hit the charts…

A really fresh look at the music of Smokey Robinson – a package that mixes obscure tracks with hits, with a range that spans over two decades – all with the great Free Soul approach to a groove! The series normally focuses on sounds of the 70s – but here, they do a great job of showcasing solo Smokey moments from those years, mixed with really groundbreaking tracks with The Miracles – almost presenting them all together as if Smokey and the group were a key precursor to 70s soul. The set features a whopping 23 tracks – over 80 minutes of music.

While Robinson's solo work pales in comparison to his hits with the Miracles, this 17-track collection of Motown singles uncovers such gems as "Baby Come Close," "I Am I Am," "Cruisin'," "Let Me Be," "The Clock," "Tell Me Tomorrow," "I've Made Love to You a Thousand Times," "One Heartbeat," "Just to See Her," "Everything You Touch," "Baby That's Backatcha," "The Agony and the Ecstacy" and "Open."

A CD release for the very rare Smokey Wilson album recorded for Big Town in the late 70s. Wilson was the natural successor to Howling Wolf, with a similarly astonishing voice, who produced some of the finest blues of the 70s. When many were succumbing to the over-processed sounds of the day, Smokey was still down and dirty like good blues ought to be. This is the first UK release for Smokey Wilson apart from two tracks that appeared on Lindi Waters' Cascade blues box. Many of the tracks were speeded up in the original mix and these have been restored to the correct tempo of their recording. The legendary George 'Harmonica' Smith features on several tracks. Includes five previously unreleased tracks.