The Miracles - Love Crazy (Expanded Edition) (1977/2018)

The Miracles tried to be the Isleys on this one and failed miserably, quickening their exile to has-been-dom. On the album cover, five Miracles are shown: Pete Moore, Ron White, Bobby Rogers, Billy Griffin, and his brother Donald; Donald is shown holding a guitar, leading some to expect a few Ernie Isley-influenced solos not! The original Miracles are dressed in outfits that are far too young for them, number one; this is not their style, number two, and it's a total turn-off to their loyal legion of fans, number three. The clothes are an issue because arguably, with and even more so without Smokey Robinson, the Miracles were the sharpest dressers among R&B vocal groups; their clothes were unique, stylish, tailored, colorful, and dashing. The only song on Love Crazy to receive any airplay was the James Bond-inspired "Spy for Brotherhood" an odd choice, but then CBS's "single pickers" didn't have much to choose from on this turkey; at least "Spy" had a grooveable beat. They can't blame this on anybody, since they wrote and produced everything; it illustrates the importance of a good producer. Some groups can produce themselves and some can't.