Start at the end. Go straight to the hidden track that concludes this album and try to work out which Motown classic is being covered before the vocals kick in. It’s a song so perfect, only a madman would change its melody, a song with such a propulsive rhythm that it would be reckless to slow it down, a song with a chorus hook so addictive that it would be foolish to rewrite it. Well, call Smokey Robinson a mad reckless fool, because that’s what he’s done — and his complete makeover of one of the greatest singles of all time works brilliantly. Now listen to the rest of the album, and Robinson’s polished, unhurried groove makes total sense. Even a guest vocal by Joss Stone can’t disturb the masterly atmosphere. And when the slickness threatens to become blandness, Robinson’s voice comes to the rescue. (Spoiler alert: it’s I Want You Back.)

Wrasse WRASS252

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