Smokey Robinson is unequivocally an American treasure. Born William Robinson Jr., and earning his nickname from his uncle, who observed his love for cowboy movies, the performer has been a part of music professionally for nearly seventy years. Beginning his career with The Miracles, Smokey Robinson would go on to write and perform countless hit songs for the group, himself, and plenty of others. Also, a massive part of the hit factory known as Motown Records, look at any of your old LPs and you will see his name as a writer/producer for everyone from The Temptations and Marvin Gaye to The Supremes and The Jackson 5.
Truly an icon who has made a tremendous impact on modern music, he has plenty of awards to prove it, but what is truly inspiring about Smokey Robinson is his longevity. Recently turning eighty-five years old in February 2025, he has consistently toured through the years, released an electrifying R&B album called Gasms in April 2023, and began to host his own SiriusXM channel in late 2023 called Smokey’s Soul Town (replacing Soul Town). Showing little sign of aging, with a voice of gold and keen mental acuity, Smokey now returns in 2025 with his latest album, What the World Needs Now.
Released on April 25, 2025, through Gaither Music Group, the new album has a centralized focus on positivity and the power of having hope. Something that has taken a backseat in society with each passing year, the mainstream media regularly pits us against one another with stories that trigger tribalism and a us against them mentality. Leading to isolationism, a feeling of rage, and loss of any sort of empathy towards our fellow human beings, it is truly a tragic time, which is quickly heading down a dark path.
A spiritual man who has connected with such faith as a source of strength in the darkest points of his own life, Smokey Robinson sees the writing on the wall and wants to be part of the solution and not the problem. Doing so, he assembled a group of well-known songs focusing on hope, love, and appreciation of life and mixed them with some of his older classics for a highly uplifting and intense album.
A total of ten songs, Smokey Robinson’s What the World Needs Now features newly recorded renditions that are smooth, fresh, and colorful. Featuring everything from a modern cover of 1974’s William DeVaughn “Be Thankful for What You Got,” to an emotional take on “What A Wonderful World” (which is forever associated with Louis Armstrong), Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” and Bill Withers’ “Lean On Me,” this album has it all. This also includes a lovely cover of Ray Stevens’ “Everything is Beautiful” and Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend,” coupled with new takes on Smokey Robinson’s 1986 song “Be Kind To The Growing Mind” (with a guest spot from The Temptations) and his 1981 track “Food for Thought.”
Simply put, Smokey Robinson’s What The World Needs Now is self-explanatory. Recorded with passion, grace, and his heart in the right place, your whole family can enjoy it. Furthermore, may it serve as a reminder that we are in this together, and negativity only breeds more negativity. Giving hope with music, Cryptic Rock gives Smokey Robinson’s What The World Needs Now 5 out of 5 stars.
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