Known more as a songwriter than a performer, Michael Lovesmith had strong skills in both capacities, and fashioned an important career in the soul music world throughout the 70, 80s and 90s.
Born in St. Louis, Lovesmith (actual name Michael Smith) was part of the moderately successful family act the Smith Connection, which had the hit “I’ve Been a Winner.” The group then signed briefly with Motown in the mid-70s, changing its name to Lovesmith while Michael became a Motown staff writer. He co-wrote the J5 hit “All I Do Is Think of You” and later went on to write for artists ranging from Smokey Robinson to Gladys Knight to Bobby Brown.
As Motown was hitting bumps in the 80s, Lovesmith became a solo performing artist, issuing a series of upbeat, melodic albums that had some success. He received some airplay for the songs “Baby I Will” and the ballad “A Promise Is A Promise” – solid stuff that deserved more support than it received from the label.
In the 90s, Lovesmith continued to write and provide backing vocals, including work for Luther Vandross and Barry White. He has been quiet in the new millennium.
Lovesmith was clearly a fan of Marvin Gaye, and he showed it on his very enjoyable, Gaye-like performance on “Break the Ice,” this week’s SoulTracks Lost Gem. Check it out below and tell us what you think.
