Smokey Robinson help

I am a bit light on Smokey Robinson albums - any recommendations on either vinyl or CD would be gratefully appreciated

All the best - Andrew

 

Smokey Robinson & the Miracles "35th Anniversary Collection"

4CD Motown box...still in print. The best there is, hands down! There's also a 2CD Anthology of this material circa mid 1990s that uses the same mastering if you're looking for a limited dose.

Not sure about something focused on his solo recordings. I have a couple of US Motown LPs that are just dandy. Oughta be cheap, too.


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AC

 

I second the 35th Anniversary Collection. I bought it about five weeks ago after recommendations from many folks here.

 

I would go with the 4 CD box. The mid-nineties 2 CD set is out of print and I really like the recent 2 CD Ooh Baby Baby, but would not select it over the 4 CD set. Personally, I also like the single mixes and programming of the Ultimate Collection and play the heck out of it. I don't have as much of a problem with the sound of the Ultimate Collections as many others on the board, but I am not as skilled and discerning, so please discount my opinion on that one. Finally, I own and thoroughly enjoy the 2 CD solo Smokey set, but people's opinions on his post-Miracles "quiet storm" material seem to gravitate towards taste.

 

Thanks everyone - the 35th Anniversary box is being ordered and I'll keep an eye out for the mono Going to a Go-Go LP

All the best - Andrew

 

The boxed set has his essential solo hits.

I like him with the Miracles, but never cared much for his solo work beyond a couple of hits.

 

Another vote for the box set, although my copy fell apart and some of the later solo stuff, particularly Cruisin' doesn't sound great (tape-wise, that is).

 

Wise decision on the box, Andrew. You will find that, although you'll enjoy all the hits you're familiar with, the real revelations are to be found on Disc 1--the earliest material, back when the group(and Motown)had only a handful of hits under their belt, and many more that didn't sell well, though certainly merited more attention. Begins with pre-Motown sides for End and Chess and ends with "A Love That Can Never Be"--a lost masterpiece(know what we need: a 2-CD set covering these early years, with ALL the sides, including tracks included on GREATEST HITS FROM THE BEGINNING).

And if you do get into vinyl and aren't into the 45's, try, as Ken suggested, GOING TO A GO-GO. In fact, any clean mono Lp from the '60s, not least the aforementioned 2-LP FROM THE BEGINNING, which has one of the most arrogant cover shots in history(as anybody who has a copy will understand ).

ED

 

Ed, I listen to vinyl and silver discs in about equal measure - there is a big record fair in London at the weekend so I will probably take the opportunity to see if there is any mono vinyl up for grabs

All the best - Andrew

 

You'll enjoy the 4 cd box for sure but may still want to pick up The Ultimate Collection. It has the mono single mixes and I like the hit songs all one after the other. I want to get the new Stereo 2 CD set myself.

 

The boxed set also has the mono single mixes.

 

...and isn't maximized like the Ultimate Collection. Maximization + vintage material that was already compressed = headache. For me, anyway.


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AC

 

Budget wise the 2 Cee Dee Anthology fills the bill...