Smokey Robinson - Time Flies When You're Having Fun (2009)

×

Smokey Robinson - Time Flies When You're Having Fun (2009)

Close

The time that has flown is Smokey's 50 years in the business, but it could just as well refer to the number of years since Robinson has released a smooth soul album: almost 20 full years! Smokey, of course, has stayed active during the interim, both on-stage and on record, but Time Flies When You're Having Fun marks a return to the coolly simmering quiet storm that was his stock in trade during the '70s and '80s. Apart from production techniques, not much has changed in Smokey's music during the time off, either: this is still smooth, unhurried soul that vacillates between elegance and supper-club classiness. Of course, since these are two sides of the same coin, they fit together seamlessly, with the only question being whether the immaculately polished music veers toward the corny, but whenever it does, Smokey's impeccably tailored vocals steer it back to toward the sweetly romantic. After all these years, Smokey still makes it all seem easy – so easy that it's puzzling why he hasn't made a record like this in so long, because as this comforting, velvety album proves, nobody does it better than he.

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Allmusic.com

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)!

Review by L. Boki, Amazon.com

×

Smokey Robinson - Time Flies When You're Having Fun (2009)

Close