| A Quiet Storm | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 26, 1975[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1974–1975 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 36:01 | |||
| Label | Tamla | |||
| Producer | Smokey Robinson | |||
| Smokey Robinson chronology | ||||
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A Quiet Storm is the 1975 third solo album by Americansoul singer, songwriter, and producerSmokey Robinson. The album received generally positive reviews, and spawned the hit single "Baby That's Backatcha", which spent one week at the top of theBillboard Hot Soul Singles chart.[3]
According toPitchfork journalist Eric Harvey,A Quiet Storm revitalized Robinson's career after having left his groupthe Miracles, and typified what would become known as thequiet storm radio format.[2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B[4] |
| MusicHound R&B | 4/5[5] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [6] |
A Quiet Storm is one of the most highly-acclaimed soul albums of the 1970s. This album spawned three hit singles, including Robinson's firstdisco hit "Baby That's Backatcha", rising to number 7 on theBillboard Disco chart (Top 10 R&B). The album re-established Robinson's reputation as a master songwriter and producer and solidified his solo success after leaving his influential Hall of Fame group,the Miracles.
In a contemporary review forRolling Stone,Robert Palmer saidA Quiet Storm proved Robinson was "still a dynamic creative force" as it succeeded on the strength of his singing and production, although he highlighted the "sexy directness" of the title track and "Baby That's Backatcha".[7]Vince Aletti ranked it as the year's third best album in his ballot for the 1975Pazz & Jop critics poll.[8]Robert Christgau was less enthusiastic, believing the title track was somewhat bold for concentratingPure Smokey's "drift into a style", but finding much of the record lacking rhythm, with the exception of "Love Letters" and "Coincidentally".[4]
A Quiet Storm was later named one of the greatestMotown albums of all time in a 1999 edition ofQ.[9] According toPitchfork journalist Eric Harvey, the record reinvented Robinson's brand of "contemplative romantic soul" withthe Miracles, revitalized his career after two underperforming solo albums, and typified what would become known as thequiet storm radio format.[2]
Miracles memberMarv Tarplin was also a contributor to this album.
All tracks composed and arranged bySmokey Robinson; except where indicated.
| Year | Album | Chart positions[11] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | ||
| 1975 | A Quiet Storm | 36 | 7 |
| Chart (1975) | Peak positions |
|---|---|
| U.S.Billboard Pop Albums[12] | 77 |
| Year | Single | Chart positions[13] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Dance | ||
| 1975 | "Baby That's Backatcha" | 26 | 1 | 7 |
| "The Agony and the Ecstasy" | 36 | 7 | — | |
| 1976 | "Quiet Storm" | 61 | 25 | — |
