He said that, despite potential "cavils" from novice Motown purists about the disco version of "Get Ready", the songs on side one especially update Robinson's "concise, smoldering romanticism with a flair that seemed lost to him years ago".

[3] Stereo Review magazine's Phyl Garland commended him for remaining an unadorned composer and producer, and cleverly underplaying several tracks' "disco flavor".

She found the songs pleasurable and consistent, and remarked that, although it may not be a milestone in Robinson's career, Where There's Smoke is "solid, ingratiating music that should wear well.

"[4] Dave Marsh did view it as a turning point and "genuine creative breakthrough" for Robinson, who finally modernizes his style of soul music without "being compromised."

[6] In a retrospective review, AllMusic's William Ruhlmann said that it may be inconsistent and slightly too "disco-ish in places," even though it restored Robinson's commercial viability.