At His Very Best

France.  Most people primarily know Robert Palmer as the smooth crooner surrounded by sultry, black-clad models in the hit video for "Addicted to Love". Yet At His Very Best reveals him to be far more than simply a suave lady-killer. Indeed, he could be considered one of the finest white soul singers of his generation. Of course, his 1980s heyday is well represented here. "Addicted to Love" is a stand-out, alongside such hits as "Some Guys Have All the Luck", "Simply Irresistible" and "Some Like It Hot", the big hit he shared with 's John and Andy Taylor as the . But fans will also enjoy the disco stylings of 1978's "Every Kinda People" (written by 's Andy Fraser), the swampy funk of 1974's "Sneakin' Sally Thru the Alley" and a minimalistic but driving cover of 's hilariously dumb "TV Dinners". This last track is a telling choice. Though Palmer is a serious student of music, he has always exhibited a gratifying sense of humour, a quality that's contributed mightily to his long-standing success. He's a wealthy man, and a diamond geezer. --Dominic Wills