Any new music from a veritable soul legend like SMOKEY ROBINSON is always welcome; so we’re delighted to announce that the great man has just released a new album, ‘What The World Needs Now’.
Now this new ten tracker is a little different to any of Robinson’s previous recordings in two ways. First, it’s predominantly a covers album (there’s just two Smokey songs – both oldies, so not new; more of them later).Secondly, here our man’s set out to deliver an inspirational album. He says: “This is an inspirational album, and I hope it inspires people to do good things and to feel good and to do good to others,” . He adds that he’s chosen the songs to highlight the countless beauties of everyday life and the joys of love, unity and gratitude. So the repertoire consists of his versions of vaguely “helpful” songs like the Staple Singers’ ‘I’ll Take You There’, Bill Withers’ ‘Lean On Me’, Carole King’s ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ and Burt Bacharach’s ‘What The World Needs Now’.
The two oldies are “versions” of his own ‘Be Kind To The Growing Mind’ and ‘Food For Thought’. The first one first appeared on his ‘Smoke Signals’ LP from 1986 and it featured his old pals the Temptations; the latter was originally on his 1981 album ‘Being With You’. We’re not entirely sure if the versions here have been re-recorded; they don’t sound too different to the orignals.
Highlights on the album are without doubt a take on William DeVaughn’s ‘Be Thankful For What You’ve Got’ and a lush cover of ‘What A Wonderful World’ with an opening that might (just) recall ‘Ooh Baby, Baby’. Sadly much of the rest is distinctively average. However, it’s still the magical, emotion-striking voice of Smokey Robinson. He’s now 85 – but that voice is still, well, THAT VOICE.
‘What The World Needs Now’ is out now via Gather. Thanks to Toby Walker of www.soulwalking.co.uk for sourcing this one.
