Bargain Audio CDs & Priceless Collection (series)

One Heartbeat

by Smokey Robinson

Product Description:

Personnel includes: Smokey Robinson, Syreeta Wright (vocals); Kenny G (saxophone); Robbie Buchanan (keyboards); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); The Temptations (background vocals).

One of Robinson's better 1980s albums, ONE HEARTBREAT brims with quietly simmering romantic ballads sung in his trademark heartbreaking falsetto. The title tune and "Just to See Her" were the big pop hits (and justifiable ones at that), but there are other pleasures to be had. "It's Time to Start Shoppin' Around," for example, is not only drop dead catchy, but features lyrics that cleverly reference early R&B song titles (including, of course, some of Robinson's 1960s classics).

Meanwhile "You Don't What It's Like," sets the soul veteran against a Huey Lewis-sounding band, complete with synths and power guitar. A dubious pleasure, yes, but make no mistake: Lewis would give his eye teeth to even begin to approach Robinson's emotional presence.