Customer Reviews

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Much has been written about Smokey's contribution to the next volume of the Great American Songbook. He has a dozen or so candidates that either he wrote or produced or performed or did all at once. With a career that now spans 6 decades, Smokey still sounds relevant. His voice is the definitive falsetto that has inspired a legion of vocalist through the years. Here in this return to form, we get an album of new material after waiting a long, long time. His last album was a splendid collection from the Great American Songbook, entitled "Timeless Love". Prior to that, I believe he recorded a gospel/inspirational album. With assist from the genius of Carlos Santana, Joss Stone and India Arie, he sounds contemporary and refreshing. His take on the Jackson 5 classic, "I Want You Back" is transformational and "Don't Know Why" could have been written by him, it so perfectly suits him. "One Time" is a smoldering midtempo cut that breeds seduction. They don't make them like they used to.......Babyface may at one time been the "new Smokey", but, who needs a facsimile when the real one is still oh so relevant. For me, "You're Just My Life" is the jewel in a setting of jewels. That romantic swoon so easily associated with his best work is taken to new heights in this duet w/India Arie. If you know "Give Her Up" or "Much Better Off", classic B-side copyrights from Smokey at his first creative peak in the 60s, this song stands right up there with his finest work. Equally as compelling is his duet w/Joss Stone, "You're the One for Me". On a more sober note, the album has been released independently on Robso (a mergering of his first/last name) through ADA. That leaves on Stevie still actively recording for whatever is left of Motown/Universal as we once knew it. Alas, we can just celebrate that Smokey remains as relevant as he did when he first hit the top of the charts in the 60s. The title track sums it up best in its classy beauty.......it is a fun reminder of one of our greats (check out the artwork by Shepard Fairey)!

Everyone knows about Smokey Robinson's velvety, smooth voice and awesome songwriting skills. But, I was skeptical when I ran across this CD. I wondered if Smokey could still do it? Did he still have it? The answer is a resounding Yes! Every track is fresh, romantic, relevant. Wow. I can let this play through all day long. It's perfect to soothe your nerves if you're stuck in a traffic jam, or relaxing in a bubble bath, if you're trying to spark some romance. Joss Stone, India Arie only serve to enhance Smokey's sound. Carlos Santana gives the flavor like only he can. The lyrics and music to all the tracks is lovely. It's all good, but tracks with that EXTRA are:

You're The One For Me

One Time

Please Don't Take Your Love

Whatcha Gonna Do

You're Just My Life

Oh, and the hidden track, Smokey's rendition of "I Want You Back" done Smokey style, with a little twist on the verse
is the whip!!!!

You also can't beat the nice price. Own It!

A couple months back, I interviewed actor Brandon Adams, and I remember him saying "you can't find that creativity anymore in the game" with new R&B artists that you had in older R&B artists. I kept remembering that remark the entire time I listened to Smokey Robinson because I partially agree with him. I listened to another new CD by a new artist that came out, and all the lyrics sounded the same. But somehow Smokey Robinson was talking about some of the same topic manner (love, relationships, life), and it sounded fresh, smooth, and romantic. (There are newer R&B artists that I do feel are as strong as Smokey, but that's another topic.) But Smokey sang on "Love Bath," to "put some water in the tub/do the body rub" and I wanted to stand up and go "Hey now!" In "Whatchu Gonna Do," he said "Just watching you talk sometimes/sends me on trips" and I rewound it. These are those lyrics that are flirty without being vulgar. I love that in him. Smokey Robinson is naturally cool, and his groovy feel permeates through his songs. I loved this CD from beginning to end: the beats, the lyrics, the sensuality.

Yes, I intended to 'shout' the word excellent so everyone would not only see it but hear it! A great cd for sure!!! Best in years!

This cd is sooo smooth! It is truly what Smokey has always been about. Each song beautifully envelops Smoke's voice as Marv's guitar riffs are very clearly heard along with Carlos Santana's added touch! A very nice complementary combination. IMHO, this is a definite Grammy winner because of the musical talent that is displayed in 'ALL' areas. Lyrics, melodies, vocal and instruments are all in sync on the entire cd.

If you're not a Smokey fan, you'll love this one. It's that good! A recording job well done!

i bought this cd last week and I have it on my i-pod,I listen to it in my car and it is 4a.m. and I just had to hear this cd again.As soon as I got to the second song I knew I loved this cd and I proceeded to call and share my happiness with this cd with my brother and at least 3 of my best friends! The title song reminds me of being with someone and not wanting that time to ever be over;it brought back so many memories and even made me want to fall in love again;something i had given up on.Smokey is as good today as he was when I danced to when I was much younger than I am now and I intend to go back and make sure I have all of his music I used to love so much.Smokey makes you relive all those special times when you have been so in love and Lord,I want to feel that way again."That Place" makes you want to open up that place in your heart for someone to come back into.Whatcha Gonna Do makes you feel a little frisky and and a little naughty again.It reminds me of someone i loved and when he talked,I was so entranced with his mouth,I could not always concentrate on what he was saying.The thoughts this cd brings to mind are too numerous to mention;but Smokey and his music have brought me back to life again;thank-you so much Smokey!

You got to give someone credit when they're able to maintain their own sound AND do something new for them at the same time. During the 90's up until now I've basically ignored Smokey Robinson's musical output,mainly due to the fact they always seem to come somewhat unnoticed. In this case I decided to make a go of it and I was not disappointed. Smokey is one of those people who throughout the years,even during rough times has continually respected musical quality and good taste and this is an album that's full of both. It's a mixture of his trademark understated soul balladry,jazzy tunes and even some lite funk. Everyone knows since the A Quiet Storm days that Smokey was going to survive for many years to come as musical entity.Even Aretha Franklin made a point once he's the kind of artist who is well established and "kind of rolls right along" and in terms of his own songwriting style keeps rolling on it's merry way through "Time Flies","This Place","Whatcha Gonna Do" and "Satisfy You" and with people like Paul Jackson,Phil Upchurch and Ray Parker Jr forming the core of such a versitile rhythm section even those mellower selections have a lot to offer within Robinson's breezy,almost pastoral (as a friend of mine put it) flavors. He even makes room for some slow crawling funky grooves such as "One Time" and "Please Don't Take Your Love",a song whose grit is helped along by an appearance by Carlos Santana. In terms of other guest stars Joss Stone on "You're The One For Me" and India.Arie on "You're Just My Life" add the great duet touch on two jazzier grooves with some nice rolling rhythms. My favorite tune here though has to be "Love Bath",a sultry journey through a very funky type of sensuality that really brings out just about every great quality Robinson possessess and,along with the other rhythmic songs here has some nice puncuating bass popping in all the right places from Paul Jackson. The most uptempo song on here is "Girlfriend",the more typically modern "natural" of the tunes here that gains it's strengh again from a sense of rhythm and peerless songwriting. I do suppose some might nitpick on the albums strong sense of subtlety over bombast but this is great to listen to and absorb either way. And purely in terms of songwriting,with people like Smokey still actively in the picture maybe it'll teach many contemporary R&B singer/songwriters a thing or two.

They say if you don't use it you lose it. Well, Smokey is obviously still USING IT. His voice is as smooth and as sensual as ever. The passionate intensity and groove of "Love Bath" is so provocative that I vacillated between wanting to cry out "Whoa! Check this out!" and savoring the moment behind closed doors. Guarantee you this one will be used for many a romantic rendezvous. My favorite though is "One Time"...love the lyrics, the tempo and the ending. I can just see Smokey in concert singing out to the audience "One time Baby..." and having them respond back. Listen to it, you will see what I mean.

The bonus track "I Want you Back" is exceptionally well done. I suspect that was added on as a tribute to Michael Jackson who passed while this CD was being finalized. Very sweet of him to include it. You will enjoy having this rendition in your collection.

"You're just my Life" with India Arie is wonderful. This song along with "Don't Know Why" weren't written by Smokey but I had to take a double take on that since, as another reviewer said, they certainly could have been. Great melodies and lyrics and perfectly suited.

You may as well buy the CD because there are so many good songs... and at this price it is cheaper than downloading your favorites!

Got the CD the day it was released and I had no doubts it would be excellent since Smokey is in the top 5% of the greatest songwriters in music history. Being a very good singer also helps as well. As for the CD, it is typical Smokey, with great instrumentation, nice grooves (with no rapping thank God), and of course smooth. The folks he chose to appear with him (Joss Stone and India.Arie) did their thing to bring a contemporary sound (You're the One for Me and You're Just My Life, respectively) and Santana, with his great guitar work, brought that bluesy rock edge to the song Please Don't Take Your Love. But the song that made me say yes is That Place - smooth like the music he made back in the late 70s/early 80s. Romantic and smooth R&B is a missing commodity in today's music but if U had to choose one person who could bring it back into vogue, Smokey would be on the short list. I know the mainstream radio black radio may only play one or two cuts from the CD so my suggestion to you is to go get it - you will not be disappointed.

Smokey just shines on this latest CD. I was very impressed as others have been when they have heard it.

For those who enjoy smooth music song by an all time great this CD is for you.Smokey takes on a new version of his style and adds his flawless delivery.