Customer Reviews

Ultimate Collection

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a fan of Smokey's since he was with the Miracles. This collection is a must-have for those who claim to be a die-hard fan. There are some of his old standards, "Cruisin", "Being With You", "Tell Me Tomorrow", "Just to See Her", and the duet with Rick James, "Ebony Eyes". Also added are new , "Quiet Storm", "The Agony and Ecstasy", and "Daylight and Darkness". They are all superb. Every cut is nice, all seventeen of them. I have played this over and over; I know I will need to get another one. Smokey, you just mellow with age. You are still the one!

Listening to Smokey is like slipping into a warm bath - there's comfort and pleasure to be found in this collection. Some things, like "Open" and "The Agony and the Ecstasy", I did not know previously but was glad to discover. Then there were old gems like "Cruisin'", which is simply gorgeous and silky and defies you not to sing after listening to it, and the sheer sweetness of "Being With You".

The Ultimate Collection is a must have for fans of pure pop.

This is the best-possible one-disc collection of Smokey Robinson's solo material. However, if you can spare a few dollars more the better bet is the just-released (September 2001) "Solo Anthology," which has all these hits and more on two discs. This man's unparalleled singing and songwriting talent are well worth the splurge. Still, this collects Smokey's biggest R&B and pop singles from 1973 to 1990. Since only 4 of these crossed over to the Pop Top Ten (Cruisin', Being With You, Just To See Her, and One Heartbeat), there's a lot most buyers won't be familiar with even without going for "Anthology." My point is there's more where this came from, don't stop here.

the voice the words the feelings are all on-point.as the great Bob Dylan called smokey the greatest living American poet it's all here. his written&production ranks as some of the most impotant works this country and the world have known. this disc shows the meaning of love and emotion. crusin still is the slow-jam qiuet storm is a smooth cut (it's a light night radio format named after the song slow jams the ultimate tribute)backatcha what a smooth wicked groove.he shows what's missing today in song-writting and production.if your'e looking for real soul check this out.

Put this cd on and cuddle up with your special honey! Smokey's dynamic voice and this selection of songs will definitely make for a romantic evening...

I really think the title says it all. The album is, well, simply awesome. There's not a track I don't like. In fact, there's not a track I don't love. I own over two hundred CDs, and if I could only keep one, this would be it. What more can I say than that.

I had never really been a big fan of Smokey Robinson's prior to ordering this CD. To be honest, I didn't like him at all. I have, alas, become a believer. This man's lyrics are soooo deep. I love the fact that I can listen to this CD and search for the deeper meaning in the songs. For instance, I never realized that in his song 'I've Made Love To You a Thousand Times,' that he was speaking figuratively and that it was a fantasy. But when I figured that out...OH MY WORD!!!! how seductive is that??!!! I believe that when he wrote Daylight and Darkness he had me in mind and didn't even know it. Baby Come Close, Quiet Storm, and Cruisin...all classics. Overall this is a very nice compilation. One that I'm glad I gave a fair shot to.

Smokey Robinson has that type of hypnotic voice that carries so much emotion and passion when he croons. This collective has many of his balads from the 70's and a few from the 80's. Keep in mind, these songs are his solos with the exception of "Ebony Eyes" which is Rick James' song featuring him, so you will not hear the Miracles with him. My favorite track is "Agony And The Ecstasy" which digs deep in the soul, showing you have to pay dues in the game of love. "Cruisin" is another timeless classic from the late 70's, perfect for the top down rollin' down the block on a sunny 70 degree day! "Daylight And Darkness" is another smooth one with a relaxed keyboard driven beat taliking about a girl with a heavy dual personality; how she can be "bittersweet" as he puts it. He is intelligent, romantic, and sweet, all rolled into one. Mos def, it's perfect to play back at the crib with ya girl!!! Nice collection of hits!

I often seem to wonder why Soul & R&B icons of today like Usher, Beyonce' and Ashanti don't really seem to actually have the influence anfd feeling of what made great soul from the past. That was truly magic from the realistic eras from Motown Records in the sixties and seventies. That truly was so defiant from acts like the Jackson 5, Diana Ross and especially Smokey Robinson. During his two eras of his unique talent, on his own and as a member of The Miracles his soulful voice has been one of the most unique and conjured songsters of all time. Now his best solo tracks are on just one unique greatest hits package.

Smokey Robinson's 1997: The Ultimate Collection is a really clever and simplistic released record that does a really good job reflecting his solo efforts beautifully. The songs here are just absolutely remarkable and classicly conjured. There are just so many great Smokey Robinson classics here including Ebony Eyes with the late Rick James, Let Me Be The Clock, Crusin', the delightful Being With You, and the #1 soul gem Just To See Her. There is unfortunately one big setback, and that of course is his eras with The Miracles, but that arguably wasn't the way this record was setup to be which isn't a bad thing, because there is much more to showcase here from his own works over his 2005 Definitive Collection.

All in all Smokey Robinson: The Ultimate Collection is a great reflection and does definitely deliver his solo efforts beautifully. For those who haven't heard his soulful and elequent voice and medley, this record is a great buy for anybody.

Album Cover: B+

Songs: A-

Price: B+

Remastering: A 1/2-

Overall: B+

This is an inceredible cd. It is very good and I enjoy a lot of songs on this album. This ia a nice cd with some of his nice songs but it is missing a lot of songs. In the 80's he had made an album called"Touch The Sky" and that album was dynamite. That album needs to be re-released or either they need to be added to one of Smokey's compilations. Tell Me Tomorrow, and I made love to you a thousand times are on that album and that was a real nice album I would recommend anyone who enjoys Smokey's seductive voice to purchase this album!!!!