Bobbie Smith, who had one of the smoothest voices in pop music, died last weekend at age 76.  He was lead singer for The Spinners, a Detroit-based group that was signed to Motown Records in the 1960s.  After failing to achieve success during the label’s heyday, they began to record with Philadelphia-based producer Thom Bell and had a series of hits between 1972 and 1976.  Even though they were from Detroit and never part of the Gamble and Huff stable of acts, The Spinners  nevertheless became one of the leading examples of the “Philly Sound” that flourished in the 1970s.  R&B music could use more artists as smooth and classy as Bobbie Smith.  RIP.