Josephll 2007-11-30
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After the timeless album Songs in the Key of Life ir would take wWonder as much as 4 years to make a suitable successor, in the meantime he had recorded the vastly underrated Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants soundtrack album that was mostly a collection of instrumentals. The album wasn't bad but it was ignored by mainstream fans who wanted another album simular to "Key Of Life". 1980 wonder would eventually release it's natural successor "Hotter Than July" but his classic period where his music was most challenging and creative ended with "Key of Life" in 1976. The time ahead was more commercial, both by sound and themes, And based on Wonder's recent popularity and the musical trends at the time it wasn't hard to see why he chose this direction. However, This album still maintains the edgyness of earlier releases with plenty of exciting expriments and engaging moments. I'd say this was Wonder's last masterpiece, as commercial as it may be compared to previous albums it's still fantastic with many memorable enough songs with intelligent lyrics.
The opener "Did I Hear You Say You Love Me" is as funky as it gets with a nice guitar riff that follow throughout the song, horns and backround choirs. "All I Do" capture the time with disco influences, but apart from alot of simular songs in 1980 this never sounds cheesy, instead Wonder makes a beautiful ballad which is just disco by sound. "Rocket Love" a beautiful disco ballad proves why he writes better then most people with lyrics "A female Shakespeare of your time/ With looks to blow Picasso's mind/ You were the best/ Your body moved with grace and song/ Like symphonies by Bach or Brahm". To my surprise no one covered it so far. More funk-pop with "I Ain't Gonna Stand For It" which is once again on point. A decent midtempo-ballad "As If You Read My Mind" where Wonder uses his harmonica and synthesizer sound is followed by this albums most famous soung "Master Blaster (Jammin)" which was a tribute to another pioneer, Bob Marley who was dying in cancer at the time. It's a reggae influenced uptempo song that I guess most people heard and it gives further evidence that Wonder can make success with any music style. "Do Like You" sounds alot like "I Wish", Wonder sings about his son Keita that loves to dance, even when he's suppost to be asleep and Wonder ask his son, "Show me how to do like you" In an uptempo funk rhythm that would make Michael Jackson proud. Another social themed song called "Cash in Your Face" that deals with housing discrimination where Wonder sings "You might have the cash but you Can...not cash in your face". The best song is however the poignant love ballad "Lately" that is one of Wonder's all time best. In 1993 Jodeci covered the song and scored their biggest hit when it reached #4 on the Billboard charts. As good as that was, I still like Wonder's song better. "Happy Birthday" is the closer, a song that celebrates that Martin Luther King Jr's birthday became a national holiday. A great song but with rather dated synth arrangements.
Overall, perhaps more commercial then previous albums but still full of rich and engaging moments and a great varity of sounds (reggae, disco, funk, ballads, pop). "Hotter then July" is Stevie Wonder when he's most popular and able to create radio friendly music with an intelligent message behind. This is his last masterpiece and should be bought by anyone who likes the man and his music.