Smokey Robinson : Essar (LP, Vinyl record album) -- Dusty Groove is Chicago's Online Record Store
Skip navigation
Scripting is disabled or not working. dustygroove.com requires JavaScript to function correctly.
Style sheets are disabled or not working. dustygroove.com requires style sheets to function correctly.
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Enlarge       Note

Essar

LP (Item 374484) Tamla, 1984 — Condition: Very Good+
Temporarily Out Of Stock

LP, Vinyl record album

✈
❔
Smokey's a little bit off course here – heading into a range of mellow pop soul styles that are clearly inspired by artists who were inspired by Smokey's own majestic solo turn in the 70s – but who never manage to match his quality. And since Smokey's taking inspiration from the uninspired, there's also a quality to this set that feels the weight of that choice. The vocals are fine enough, but perhaps a bit too overly emotive on the ballads – especially for smooth Smokey. The more upbeat numbers have a feel that's trying too hard for a crossover – and even the title (which is a play on Smokey's initials, "SR") is kind of a deal-breaker. Titles include "Train Of Thought", "I Can't Find", "Gone Forever", "Close Encounters of The First Kind", "Little Girl Little Girl", "Girl I'm Standing There", and "Driving Thru Life In The Fast Lane".  © 1996-2024, Dusty Groove, Inc.
(Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has a bent top corner.)

Very Good + (plus)

  • Vinyl should be very clean, but can have less luster than near mint.
  • Should still shine under a light, but one or two marks may show up when tilted.
  • Can have a few small marks that may show up easily, but which do not affect play at all. Most marks of this quality will disappear when the record is tilted, and will not be felt with the back of a fingernail.
  • This is the kind of record that will play "near mint", but which will have some signs of use (although not major ones).
  • May have slight surface noise when played.

Additional Marks & Notes

If something is noteworthy, we try to note it in the comments — especially if it is an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record. This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip, cover damage or wear as noted above, or strictly cosmetic flaws.



You might be interested


Smokey Robinson

Yes It's You Lady
Tamla, 1982. Near Mint-
A slightly more-grooving record than some of Smokey's others from the time – done in a style that rolls around in a mostly-midtempo mode. There's almost a gentle 80s groove approach at times, although some of the tunes on the set are definitely in that stone mellow love song style that was ... LP, Vinyl record album
Tamla, 1983. Near Mint-
A very mellow overview of Smokey's later solo work – the post-Quiet Storm period, when he was easily slipping from classic soul into adult contemporary territory – and really crossing over big at the time! And while we could probably say that most of this stuff is far watered down from ... LP, Vinyl record album

Smokey Robinson

Warm Thoughts
Tamla, 1980. Near Mint-
Warm thoughts, and equally warm vocals – thanks to the legendary Smokey Robinson, who's still sounding great here at the start of the 80s! The record's surprisingly charming – and has the laidback, mellow-going sort of sound that Robinson first crafted on Quiet Storm – but ... LP, Vinyl record album

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Time Out
Tamla, 1969. Very Good+
Kind of a mixed bag of numbers from Smokey and the group – who are clearly searching around here for a new sound that will take them into the 70s, working in a number of different modes – all of them still pretty nice, thanks to the always-great vocal talents of the group. Titles ... LP, Vinyl record album

Stevie Wonder

Innervisions
Tamla, 1973. Near Mint- Gatefold
One of the best Stevie Wonder albums ever! Stevie's moving into god-like territory here – handling a multitude of styles, all well, and crafting some of the most sophisticated soul of his generation. The album's got the same jazzy references you'll find on the best work by Donny Hathaway ... LP, Vinyl record album

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Flying High Together
Tamla, 1972. Near Mint-
Excellent 70s work by Smokey and crew – sort of their way of showing the emerging east coast vocal stars how much talent they still had! The record has a sweet, slightly modern sound – with an approach that hints at Smokey's later Quiet Storm sound, but maybe a bit more laidback ... LP, Vinyl record album

Roger (Roger Troutman)

Many Facets Of Roger
Warner, 1981. Near Mint-
There's many facets of Roger – and they're all pretty darn funky! From this vantage point, all we can think of is that Roger Troutman must have had some sort of crystal ball to see into the hip hop sampling future – either that, or he was busy cooking up west coast gangster funk drones ... LP, Vinyl record album
A&M, 1977. Near Mint-
A great little groover from LTD – and a set that's got everything coming together perfectly in the mix! The set features arrangements from Philly Soul maestro Bobby Martin – who brings together this wonderful blend of styles – funk, smoother soul elements, and the kind of upbeat, ... LP, Vinyl record album

Prince

Controversy
Warner, 1981. Near Mint-
A key moment of transition for Prince – a set that's got him toning down the longer-haired look of previous records, and going for the new wave sense of style that would help him cross into many audiences in years to come! Controversy still has Prince singing to the already-converted, but ... LP, Vinyl record album

Frank Ballard

Rhythm Blues Party
Sun, 1962. Sealed
An obscure soul set on the legendary Sun Records label – raw vocals from Frank Ballard, done in a style that still has a few older R&B currents in the mix, but which is definitely pointed strongly towards a 60s groove! Backings are by the band of tenorist Phillip Reynolds, and the sound ... LP, Vinyl record album

Brian Jackson

This Is Brian Jackson
BBE (UK), 2022. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold
A stunning revival for the great Brian Jackson – an artist who's best known as the keyboardist with Gil Scott-Heron in the 70s, but a hell of a singer on his own – as you'll hear in this really wonderful set! The album's not Jackson's first solo effort – but it may well be the ... LP, Vinyl record album

Art Blakey

Indestructible
Blue Note, 1964. Sealed
Maybe one of the most famous records ever from master drummer Art Blakey – in part because of the cover, which has come to stand for the Blue Note aesthetic of the 60s! But despite that famous image, the music is more than worthy of attention – as the group features that unusual sextet ... LP, Vinyl record album
 



⇑ Top