Search Results for "Smokey Robinson"

The Staple Singers – We’ll Get Over (Remastered) (1969/2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 13, 2023 · Comments off

Their second Stax release was similar to Soul Folk in Action. The album’s highlight is Randall Stewart’s “When Will We Be Paid?” AllMusic Review by Rob Bowman

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The Staple Singers – The Staple Swingers (Remastered) (1971/2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 13, 2023 · Comments off

The best and most famous cuts from their glory years at Stax. Includes their massive hits “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There”; less famous but similar gospel-funk fusions like “Touch a Hand (Make a Friend)” and “Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)”; and less expected items like a cover of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” It does not, however, have their 1975 number one single “Let’s Do It Again,” which they recorded just after cutting their ties to Stax. AllMusic Review by Richie Unterberger

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The Staple Singers – Soul Folk In Action (Remastered) (1968/2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 13, 2023 · Comments off

Gospel-soul pioneers the Staple Singers will have their storied Stax years commemorated with the December release by Craft Recordings of six individual albums. Featuring: Soul Folk in Action, We’ll Get Over, The Staple Swingers, Be Altitude: Respect Yourself, Be What You Are and City in the Sky.

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The Staple Singers – City In The Sky (Remastered) (1974/2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 13, 2023 · Comments off

City in the Sky, the final LP that the Staple Singers made with Stax Records, features the same socially conscious lyrics and powerful singing that had become their trademark before the album’s 1974 release. While the original recording didn’t have the kind of explosive singles like “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There” that helped them become legends of soul music, this is by no means a weak album. The opener “Back Road Into Town” seethes with energy and anger-tinged pride, while “Washington We’re Watching You” combines that same message of anger and pride with organ and horn-driven funk. The Staple Singers return to the gospel style that had begun their musical career nearly 20 years before with “Who Made the Man,” – perhaps the strongest song on the album, alternating between gentle invectives by Pop Staples and powerful harmonic blasts by Mavis, Cleotha, and Yvonne. Overall, the album combines a classic Stax-influenced soul sound with a strong message, making it an essential part of the Staple Singers’ catalog. AllMusic Review by Stacia Proefrock

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The Staple Singers – Be Altitude: Respect Yourself (Remastered) (1971/2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 13, 2023 · Comments off

The Staples’ finest single album, containing three Top Ten R&B hits, “Respect Yourself,” “I’ll Take You There,” and “This World.” The first two also were pop Top 20s, “I’ll Take You There” going all the way to number one. AllMusic Review by Rob Bowman

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The Miracles – Christmas With The Miracles (1963/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 5, 2023 · Comments off

Released for the 1963 Christmas season, this collection from the Miracles includes soulful interpretations of several traditional classics and a song written by Smokey Robinson, Christmas Everyday, one of the 20 best soul Christmas songs according to The Telegraph.

“… this Motown soul shuffle (Christmas Everyday) finds Robinson sweetly singing …” – The Telegraph

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Jackson 5 – Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (1969/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 4, 2023 · Comments off

“Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5” is the debut studio album from Gary, Indiana-based soul family band the Jackson 5, released on the Motown label in December 1969. Less than two weeks before the 1960s were left to be deciphered in the history books, Motown unleashed Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 (1969) and in doing so fittingly marked the beginning of a new era in crossover pop and soul. For all intents and purposes, this dozen-song disc introduced the world to the sibling talents of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and most significantly of all, a prepubescent powerhouse named Michael Jackson. The brothers’ inextricably tight vocal harmonies were fueled by the ebullience of youth and inexperience while the flames of their collective success were stoked with the funkified vibe of urban America. Immediately evident is the influence that Sly & the Family Stone (whose “Stand!” is an unmitigated zenith in the Jackson 5’s care), James Brown, and even Funkadelic had on the J5. In fact, the quintet would actually cover George Clinton’s “I Bet You” on their sophomore effort, ABC (1970). The burgeoning sounds coming out of Philly were having a similarly sizable impact, as evidenced by the addition of the Thom Bell/William Hart track “Can You Remember,” which is one of the album’s highlights. Another discernibly affective force was found closer to home, as they also drew on the considerable Motown back catalog with “My Cherie Amour,” “Standing in the Shadows of Love,” and a powerful reading of “(I Know) I’m Losing You.” Under the moniker of “the Corporation,” Motown staffers and artists including Bobby Taylor, instrumentalists Deke Richards (guitar), Freddie Perren (keyboard) , and Fonce Mizell (keyboards), and the label’s co-founder, Berry Gordy, came up with a handful of dominant originals. Prominent among them are the midtempo “Nobody” and their double-sided chart-topping single “I Want You Back” b/w the Smokey Robinson-penned “Who’s Lovin’ You.”

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Tamiko Jones – In Muscle Shoals (1970/2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · October 6, 2023 · Comments off

Tamiko Jones - In Muscle Shoals (1970/2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz] Download

Tamiko Jones (born Barbara Tamiko Ferguson, 1945) is an American singer. Her most successful record was “Touch Me Baby (Reaching Out For Your Love)” in 1975.
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Stevie Wonder – I Was Made To Love Her (1967/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · September 21, 2023 · Comments off

I Was Made To Love Her was Stevie Wonder’s contribution to the musical landscape in the summer of 1967, spawning the title track hit single in the US and the UK, co-written by Wonder. The album contains a handful of other Wonder co-writes along with cover songs by Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Otis Redding and others.

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Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · September 11, 2023 · Comments off

From the wah-wah guitar that opens the title track to the operatic closer “Just to Keep You Satisfied,” Marvin Gaye’s 1973 album “Let’s Get It On” expressed the joy — and complexity — of human sexuality like virtually none in popular music before it. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its release, Motown/ UMe is holding an event Wednesday featuring fellow R&B luminaries Smokey Robinson and Jimmy Jam, Gaye biographer David Ritz and moderated by UMe A&R vice president Harry Weinger, in advance of a new deluxe edition of the album. The retrospective set, due out digitally Friday (and on red vinyl in October), features 20 alternate, previously unreleased tracks from the legendary recording sessions.

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Richard Elliot – Authentic Life (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · August 21, 2023 · Comments off

2021 release. Smooth Jazz Icon Richard Elliot has performed and recorded with jazz and R&B superstars Rod Stewart, Smokey Robinson, The Yellow Jackets, Tower Of Power, Bonnie Raitt, just to name a few. With more than 20 top ten smooth jazz singles and number 1 contemporary jazz albums, he has delighted his dedicated fan base from coast to coast. Authentic Life, produced by Richard and his long-time collaborator Rick Braun, overflows with Richard’s ebullient spirit. Highlights include the funly Lorber/Elliot original “Snapshot”, a deeply moving cover of the Gino Vanelli classic “Living Inside Myself”, the uplifting “Boogie, ” and Much more!!

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Rod Stewart – Soulbook (2009/2013) [Official Digital Download 24bit/88,2kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · August 4, 2023 · Comments off

British rock musician, Rod Stewart’s 25th studio album released in 2009. The record features Stewart performing classic motown and soul tracks. It debuted in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at number 4. The album inlcudes special guest appearances by Mary J. Blige, Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson.

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R. Kelly – 12 Nights Of Christmas (2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · August 2, 2023 · Comments off

Given all the ground R. Kelly has covered, plus the self-proclaimed “infinite” amount of unreleased music he has recorded in a multitude of styles, it’s surprising that it took the singer and songwriter roughly 25 years to get around to issuing a holiday album. Kelly evidently gave the concept more thought and effort than most other artists. He wrote 11 of its 12 songs alone and co-wrote one with established associate Dorrell Mays, and he covers a lot of ground, ranging from spiritual to romantic to cheerful, with a fair amount of emphasis on the latter. From the diligent arrangements, including some work from the great Larry Gold, to the use of that old droplet effect (mercifully heard only on “Letters”), it’s evident that Kelly didn’t knock it all out in a one-shot rush. Unsurprisingly, not all of this is wholesome family fun, given humorous lines like “Let me go first — I wanna unwrap you” and “Lay you down and fill your stockings up.” While there are no covers or new spins on traditional songs, “Christmas Lovin'” verges on a Bill Withers impersonation, and Kelly makes like Smokey Robinson on the following “Flyin’ on My Sleigh.” This undoubtedly has his devout fans, more than anyone else, in mind. ~ Andy Kellman

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Michael McDonald – Motown Two (2004) MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

SACD / DSD By admin · July 1, 2023 · Comments off

One year later, McDonald again delves into the Motown bag to come up with another 14 selections from such giants as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson. McDonald is a distinctive enough vocalist to bring something to these classics, as tough as that task is. Unfortunately, the uninspired production and stilted musicianship keeps the likes of “I Was Made to Love Her,” “Tracks of My Tears,” and Nowhere to Run” from being anything more than dubious offerings to McDonald partisans. Motown became a hit factory as much on the strength of its foot soldiers as it did its commanding stars, but producer Simon Cline employs thin and lethargic backing tracks where some of the most inspired pop playing in history once stood. Return to the Motown source to hear inspired pop soul music.

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Maxwell – Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite (1996/2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · June 28, 2023 · Comments off

The 25th anniversary digital edition of Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite has been remastered for the first time at 24bit Hi-Res Audio with 2021 engineering by Mark Wilder.

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