Smokey Robinson's last album, What Love Has Joined Together, was a masterpiece of polished, high-gloss soul. In a departure from established album formula, Smokey and the Miracles devoted themselves to exploring at length six songs about love. [In A Pocket Full of Miracles,] the group returns to the standard six-songs-to-a-side album and while the results vary, Smokey again proves his mastery of sophisticated soul in small, concentrated doses.

The beauty of the Miracles comes not only from Smokey Robinson's unbelievably sweet lead singing but from the just-right balance of his production work and the brilliance of his song-writing as well. So creatively does Smokey use these talents that frequently a vocal flourish, a particularly fine turn of phrase or tastey piece of orchestration will redeem, even make irresistible, what would otherwise be an unremarkable song….

Pocket Full is a fine album, not exceptional but enjoyable. If you can...