Smokey Robinson

INCLUDES 4 BONUS TRACKS

This release includes the group’s splendid second album, Cookin’ with The Miracles (1962), originally issued on Tamla Records* in 1962, and long unavailable on vinyl. In addition to the original masterpiece, this WaxTime collector’s edition contains 4 bonus tracks from the same period, among them their 1958 debut single, “Got a Job,” an answer to The Silhouettes’ “Get a Job.” It was released on Robinson’s 18th birthday. Another hard-to-find single presented here is an outer space ovelty, titled “It,” by a duet called Ron and Bill which was leased to the Argo label, a Chess Records subsidiary. Ron and Bill were Ronnie White and Bill “Smokey” Robinson.

These fabulous recordings mark the foundation upon which Detroit soul was built. The Miracles played a key role in helping transform the Motor City and the record company named after it, into an international center of popular music.

PERSONNEL:

BILL “SMOKEY” ROBINSON lead vocals and piano, plus:

Warren “Pete” Moore (bass vocals),
Miss Claudette Rogers, Robert “Bobby” Rogers (tenor vocals),
Ronald “Ronnie” White (baritone vocals),
Marv “Marvin” Tarplin (guitar), probably James Jamerson (bass),
Richard “Popcorn” Wylie (piano), Benny Benjamin or Richard Allen (drums).

Recorded in Detroit, Michigan, between 1959 and 1962.

SIDE 1

01 THAT’S THE WAY I FEEL
02 EVERYBODY’S GOTTA PAY SOME DUES
03 MAMA
04 AIN’T IT BABY
05 DETERMINATION
06 GOT A JOB *
07 WHAT’S SO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE *

SIDE 2

01 YOU NEVER MISS A GOOD THING
02 EMBRACEABLE YOU
03 THE ONLY ONE I LOVE
04 BROKEN HEARTED
05 I CAN’T BELIEVE
06 IT * [issued as by Ron & Bill]
07 MONEY *

* BONUS TRACKS