Another installment in Motown's
Love Songs series, initiated in 2009, just before Valentine's Day that year (along with volumes from
the Jackson 5,
Diana Ross & the Supremes,
the Commodores, and
Gladys Knight & the Pips), this disc skips all over
Smokey Robinson's career, ranging from 1965 ("Choosey Beggar," "Ooo Baby Baby") to 1987 ("One Heartbeat"). With only 12 slots -- the disc is part of a cheaper line, after all, retailing for $10 -- it couldn't possibly be wholly satisfying; even casual fans could come up with a second volume of romantic essentials without thinking too hard. Some of
Robinson's biggest hits, both with and without
the Miracles, are indeed here, including 1967's "My Love for You," 1975's "Quiet Storm," 1981's "Being with You," and 1983's "I've Made Love to You a Thousand Times."
–
Andy Kellman, Rovi