Smoky Robinson-Agony & Ecstacy - Smoky Robinson-Agony & Ecstacy

What this video is

"The Agony and the Ecstasy" was released in 1975 as part of Smokey Robinson's landmark album 'A Quiet Storm' on Tamla Records, widely considered one of the most acclaimed soul albums of the decade. The album both named and helped spawn the 'Quiet Storm' radio programming format — a mellow, late-night blend of R&B and light jazz — which made its broadcast debut at WHUR-FM Washington D.C. in 1976 and was adopted by…

Why it matters

A foundational text of the Quiet Storm subgenre of smooth soul, 'The Agony and the Ecstasy' demonstrates Robinson's signature approach: slow tempo, poetic lyrical duality, and lush instrumentation that blends classic Motown soul with nascent smooth jazz and adult contemporary influences. The…