A Quiet Storm


A Quiet Storm is the 1975 third solo album by American soul singer, songwriter, and producer Smokey Robinson.

Critical reception

This is one of the most highly acclaimed soul albums of the 1970s. A longtime innovator at Motown, Robinson responded to the Funk revolution in black music with an effective counterpoint: the stylish and mature album, "A Quiet Storm". This landmark album spawned and lent its name to the "Quiet Storm" musical programming format, a format still adopted by radio stations across America more than 40 years later. It spawned 3 hit singles, including his first disco hit,"Baby That's Backatcha" that went to number 7 on the Billboard Disco chart, and this album re-established Robinson's reputation as a master songwriter and producer and solidified his solo success after leaving his legendary group, The Miracles.
In a contemporary review for Rolling Stone, Robert Palmer said A Quiet Storm proved Robinson was "still a dynamic creative force" as it succeeded on the strength of his singing and production, although he highlighted the "sexy directness" of the title track and "Baby That's Backatcha". Vince Aletti ranked it as the year's third best album in his ballot for the 1975 Pazz & Jop critics poll. Robert Christgau was less enthusiastic, believing the title track was somewhat bold for concentrating Pure Smokeys "drift into a style", but finding much of the record lacking rhythm, with the exception of "Love Letters" and "Coincidentally".
A Quiet Storm was later named one of the greatest Motown albums of all time in a 1999 edition of Q. According to Pitchfork journalist Eric Harvey, the record reinvented Robinson's brand of "contemplative romantic soul" with the Miracles, revitalized his career after two underperforming solo albums, and typified what would become known as the quiet storm radio format.
Miracles member Marv Tarplin was also a contributor to this album.

Track listing

All tracks composed and arranged by Smokey Robinson; except where indicated.
  1. "Quiet Storm" 7:47
  2. "The Agony and the Ecstasy" 4:43
  3. "Baby That's Backatcha" 3:36
  4. "Wedding Song" 3:20
  5. "Happy" – Love Theme from Lady Sings the Blues 7:05
  6. "Love Letters" 4:04
  7. "Coincidentally" 4:22

Singles