The Spelman spotlight. (Atlanta , Georgia) 1957-1980, March 12, 1980, Image 9
Spelm^ii’^pot light March 28. 1980 Page 11
Where There's Smokey — There's Fire!
Recording and producing one
hit record is a strenuous, deman
ding task that requires an inor
dinate amount of talent, energy
and luck. Recording and
producing a string of hit records
that spans two decades and
weathers innumerable trends is
an amazing feat. And recording
and producing a string of- hit
records that not only spans 20
years of trends, but also has a
hand in shaping some of those
trends is...incredible—something
only a handful of artists have
done.
Smokey Robinson is one of
that handful. Smokey Robinson is
incredible.
Pop music giant Bob Dylan is
said to have once called Smokey
“the world’s greatest living love
poet”. Music critic Vince Aletti
wrote that Smokey is “one of the
finest contemporary lyricists”.
And music lovers that world over
continue to pay him perhaps that
highest compliment 'of all—the
lush romance music that is
Smokey’s trademark continues to
sell in huge numbers. Like last
year’s “Cruisin’”, for instance,
which proved to be one of the
biggest Robinson hits of the last
10 years. And now, there’s a
whole slew of new Robinson
goodies served up in impeccable
style—Smokey calls it “Warm
Thoughts".
It started in the late ’50s when
high-school pals William Robin
son, Claudette Rogers, Bobby
Rogers, Ron White and Pete
Moore—Smokey RObinson and
the Miracles—auditioned before
a fledgling songwriter/producer
named Berry Gordy. Gordy, who
SMOKEY ROBINSON
would soon go on to found
Motown Records, was impressed
by the group’s songs-Smokey
Robinson originals—and took
them under his wing.
In 1958, Smokey Robinson and
the Miracles released their—and
Motown’s—first record, “Got A
J ob”, which was a hit in the
Detroit area. Soon after that
came “Way Over There” (the first
nationally-distributed Motown
disc) and then, the breakthrough
record—1960’s “Shop Around”.
Review: "Genetic Walk"
By Kevin Flemming
No matter what your musical
preferences are, one can not help
but like the soothing and rhyth
mic sounds of “Genetic Walk,’
the latest work by veteren pianist
Ahmad I amal.
J amal is no rookie to the world
of music. He was writing,
producing and performing high
quality jazz music before most of
us were bom. With strong roots
in mainstream jazz, Jamal has
progressed with the years
keeping his music current but yet
not making that total crossover to
the more popular commercial
jazz fusion or disco sound that
many jazz artists have choosen to
persue.
Demonstrating masterful skills
on all keyboards, J amal’s current
lp is “Genetic Walk” (T-600) on
20th Century Records. Four of
the eight selections on “Genetic
Walk” have single record poten
tial. The currently released single
is “Don’t Ask My Neighbors”,
originally written by Skip Scar
borough for the Emotions.
Jamal also performs the tune,
“La Costa,” borrowed from
Natalie Cole. A personal favorite
is “Spartacus Love Theme.”
Highlighting his music with slow
and soothing piano runs, Jamal
takes you back to the good ole
days of jazz while still main
taining a sophisticated foun
dation for the children of the 80’s.
The title selection, “Genetic
Walk”, captures your attention
with a score of violins and
classical chants before moving in
to a jazzy beat and melody.
A must for anyones’ record
library, “Genetic Walk” from Ah
mad J amal. You’ll be thoroughly
satisfied with this musical master
piece.
That smash hit record began for
the Miracles and Smokey a 10
year stay at the top, with such
Robinson gems as: “You Really
Got A Hold On Me’; “Mickey’s
Monkey”; “Ooh, Baby Baby”;
“Tracks Of My Tears”;
“Yesterlove”; “Satisfaction”; and
Tears Of A Clown” following.
In addition to hits for the
Miracles, Smokey found time to
craft a huge number of hits for
other Motown artists as well. The
Temptations’ “My Girl” and “Get
GEMINI: (May 21 to June 20)-
Use your creativity at work and
accept challenges. There are
opportunities for advancement in
career if you stay on the ball.
People on the home front may not
be doing their share, so guard
against being irritable.
CANCER: (June 21 to July 22)-
A romance could come to an end
for single Cancers, and those who
are married may find the home
front is filled with arguments. Be
understanding and com
municative. Workload is heavy
but productive.
Ready”, Mary Wells’ “My Guy”,
Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That
Peculiar” and a truckload of
others all sprang from the prolific
pen of Smokey Robinson. Even
today, Smokey is intricately in
volved in the career of his
nephews, Motown artists Keith
and Darryl, and his songs have
been redone by such stellar ar
tists as Linda Ronstadt, Gladys
Knight and the Pips and Eddie
Rabbit.
In 1971, a road-weary Smokey
left the Miracles to concentrate
on his position as a vice-president
at Motown. But executive pur
suits ultimately didn’t fill the hole
his retirement had left and soon,
Smokey was back in the studio
again. The results produced some
of the finest musical moments of
the decade, including: Smokey
(the solo debut, featuring the
plush slow-grind of “Baby Come
Close”); Pure Smokey (with the
atypical tumble of “Virgin
Man”); Quiet Storm (a classic
album); Family Robinson (which
contained a hectic “Open”); Love
Breeze (“Shoe Soul” was the
smooth, jaunty centerpiece here)
and last year’s Where There’s
Smoke, showcasing ‘ the
aforementioned “Cruisin’”.
After so many years of hits and.
what he likes to call the “peaks
and valleys” of showbusiness,
Smokey Robinson is especially at
ease now. Or, as Smokey noted in
an interview with Soul magazine,
“I can go into a studio and record
my version of “Three Blind Mice’
if I want, ‘cause it if doesn’t work.
I’ve only hurt Smokey Robinson,
dig? I’ll just keep on makin’ good
music and release records ‘till the
people are tired of me and want
me to stop.”
And if that’s the case, it looks
like the warm, personable music
of Smokey Robinson will be part
of all our lives for a long, long
time to come.
Horoscope
for the week of March 30-Aprll 5
By GINA
Campus Digest
ARIES: (March 21 to April 19)-
-Domestic tensions will subside if
you don’t try to put the blame on
others. Careerwise, take on
added responsibility and
supervise all projects yourself.
Explore new ideas that will
utilize your hidden talents.
News Service
TAURUS: (April 20 to May 20)-
-Hold your temper in disputes
with mate or partner. Get third-
party advice to reach practical
solutions. Don’t come on too
strong at work-compassion and
understanding go a long way
here. Mix business and pleasure.
LEO: (July 23 to Aug. 22)-Be
careful whom you confide in
when opposition you meet on the
job makes you a sympathetic ear.
Be patient with dear ones who
make mistakes-don’t be
judgmental. Get cooperation
from others on sticking to the
budget.
VIRGO: (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22)-
Money worries may continue to
bother you, but energy is high
and you meet challenges easily.
Formulate your creative ideas
and enthuse others with your
inventiveness. Don’t let other
people’s depressions rub off on
you.
LIBRA: (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22)-
Get all legal papers in order. Be
the mediator to settle disputes at
work. Now is the time to resolve
differences with family mem
bers. Finances improve and you
can make plans for travel. Don’t
think of changing jobs.
SCORPIO: (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21)-
-Get over your budget and resist
any extravagant impulses.
Unexpected expenses can bo—a-
concern. Career situations could
be disappointing and you should
review the last three months to
find where the trouble lies.
SAGITTARIUS: (Nov. 22 to
Dec. 21)-Energy could be low
and you should get plenty of rest
to protect your health. You may
need professional advice
regarding your finances. Not the
time to speculate or take
monetary risks. Use imagination
and creativity in career.
CAPRICORN: (Dec 22 to Jan.
19)-Catch up all the loose ends of
projects at work. Resist feeling
negative or bored—a more
creative period is coming up
soon. Be discreet and truthful in
romance. If looking for another
job, keep your inquiries a secret.
AQUARIUS: (Jan. 20 to Feb.
18)-Don’t allow problems or
snags in your plans to make you
unsure of yourself. Work alone,
on your own, with an optimistic
outlook. Concentrate on the
details of your long-range plans.
Trust your intuition.
PISCES: (Feb. 19 to March 20)-
■Don’t dwell on past mistakes that
depress your self-image. Not the
time to indulge in a spending
spree either. Keep on top of
routine duties and others will be
cooperative. Don’t pick fights or
lose your temper.
Emory University
Holds Sumposium
on MLK
The Candler School of
Theology at Emory University in
vites you to attend a symposium
on the life and thought of Martin
Luther King, J r. This symposium
entitled “Martin Luther King:
The Reassessment of the
Dream,” will be held from 1:00
p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on March 27,
1980, April 1, 1980 and April 17,
1980.
The programs will feature a
distinguished series of speakers,
scheduled as follows:
Thursday, March 27, 1980 “In
fluences on Dr. King’s Theology
and Philosophy”; Speakers:
Coretta Scott King, President
Martin Luther King Center for
Social Change; Dr. L. Harold
Dewolf, (former professor and
dissertation director of Dr. King);
Dr. Benjamin Mays, (President
Emeritus, Morehouse College).
See MLK p. 10