Smokey Robinson – A Quiet Storm (1975/2016) [Qobuz FLAC 24bit/192kHz]

Smokey Robinson invented a style of songwriting and singing that influenced artists as diverse as James Taylor, Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Boyz ll Men and Linda Ronstadt, to name just a few. Smokey’s gentle, sensual vocals are effortlessly delivered but completely captivating. No less an authority and devoted fan than Bob Dylan once called Smokey Robinson, ‘the greatest living poet in a America today.’ 1975’s „A Quiet Storm“ contains all the patented Smokey touches: the sweet irresistible melodies; the slow-dancing ballads; the jump-for-joy love songs. You can’t go wrong with a Smokey Robinson record, no matter what it’s decade of origin, but this is perhaps his definitive ’70s album, defining a smooth, contemporary R&B style that would be emulated for decades to come. As exemplified by „A Quiet Storm“, Smokey’s gift is constant and genuine.

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. Arranged in an intermittent rhythm, “Baby That’s Backatcha” ran up the Billboard R&B charts to number one inside 16 weeks. It was Robinson’s first number one single since leaving the Miracles. The lyric of the ballad “The Agony and the Ecstasy” hit the Top Ten at number seven, and it was followed by the masterpiece “A Quiet Storm.” Although it only managed to seal the Top 25, it has since made a greater impact on the music charts and music industry. Briefly, radio mogul Cathy Hughes, owner of Radio One, was the general manager at Howard University radio WHUR during the early ’70s when she created the format “the quiet storm.” She used Smokey Robinson’s composition as the theme song. Before long, it caught on around the country and evolved into a new market. This album also features the “Wedding Song” which was written for Hazel and Jermaine Jackson’s wedding and the “Happy” theme from the movie Lady Sings the Blues. -AllMusic Review by Craig Lytle

Tracklist:
1. Quiet Storm 07:48
2. The Agony And The Ecstasy 04:49
3. Baby That’s Backatcha 03:49
4. Wedding Song 03:40
5. Happy (Love Theme From ‘Lady Sings The Blues’) 07:12
6. Love Letters 04:12
7. Coincidentally 05:10

Personnel:
Smokey Robinson – lead vocals
Melba Bradford – background vocals
Joseph A. Brown – drums, percussion
Carmen Bryant – background vocals
Gary Coleman – percussion
Shawn Furlong – sound effects, sopranino
Michael Jacobsen – electric cello
Gene Pello – drums
James Alibe Sledge – bongos, conga, background vocals
Fred Smith – horns, woodwind
Russ Turner – musical arrangements, keyboards, background vocals
Marv Tarplin – guitar

Download:

mqs.link_SmkeyRbinsnAQuietStrm19752016Qbuz24192.part1.rar
mqs.link_SmkeyRbinsnAQuietStrm19752016Qbuz24192.part2.rar

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