Rick James and Smokey Robinson

These two could easily have their own spotlight for Black Music Month, but it’s Hump Day and why not do a 2 for 1 with a little “Ebony Eyes.”   Duets with two men are not plentiful but this one was a home run for Rick James and Smokey Robinson in 1983.  The pairing of the Cold Blooded maestro of “punk-funk” and the former founder and lead singer of The Miracles produced a major jam back in the day – the music video, not so much.

*In 1979 President Jimmy Carter decreed that June would be Black Music Month.  Three decades later in 2009 President Barack Obama revamped the title and declared June African-American Music Appreciation Month.  Each day this month I am turning up the volume on an artist or song brought to you by the letter R.  Enjoy!*