Smokey Robinson

For the budget minded who want a taste of early Smokey, this nine-track collection should suffice. You get his heartfelt tribute to the Miracles' sweet harmony; "Quiet Storm," with its floating rhythms; two killer ballads, "Daylight & Darkness" and the poignant "Agony and the Ecstasy," and the flute peppered, jabbing "Baby That's Backatcha." The fast, swirly "Vitamin U" is a change from the slow stuff, it's an attempt at disco that's saddled with clever but inane lyrics. "Share It" has an odd beat for Smokey, it's almost on the one, an odd choice, it wouldn't have made my nine. "Virgin Man" has a bomb track, but suffers from unbelievable lyrics, Smokey should have given this one to a younger artist. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide