A late entry into the flagging blaxploitation genre, this 1977 effort by Smokey Robinson sees him adopt typical blaxploitation instrumentation and feel while retaining some sweeter soul moments too. The best funk moments are the great theme and its reprise - both nice dancefloor chunky groovers in a late 70s straight feel (kind of Car Wash style) with good guitar, Rhodes and synth bass work. The other cuts on the album are a little too smooth and over-produced, but for a cheap and easy to find album, it's a steal.

Overall Rating: 3

Theme from Big Time | JJ's theme | Hip trip | He is the light of the world | So nice to be with you | Shana's theme | If we're gonna act like lovers | The agony and the ecstasy | Theme from Big Time (reprise) |