CD-Charts Position 1
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Innervisions

by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date May 01, 2000
I am not one to use the word 'MASTERPIECE' freely. This is because these days, i feel most people overuse the word 'masterpiece' and i find this to be rather irritating. You know what i mean? Too many albums, films, etc are refered to as masterpieces when they are just ok or good. This album, however is NOT ok or good. It IS a masterpiece.
Firstly, let me say, i am a rock fan. I was brought up on Heavy metal and punk. I'd lived in complete ignorence of Stevie Wonder until a friend recommended this album to me. At first, as you can probably guess, i was hesitant. Its not rock, i thought, why would i like it? Eventually i yielded and got a copy, expecting to give away after i'd heard it once. How wrong i was. This album is a genuine work ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Songs In The Key Of Life

by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date May 08, 2000
Can anybody think of many double albums on which every track is even 'good' let alone a master work? They are very few and far between as the majority of them just go on for far to long with too much 'filler'. And so we come to SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE by MR. Stevland Morris.
After the masterpiece which was INNERVISIONS in 1973, Stevie Wonder released this magnum-opus in 1976. Is it as good as INNERVISIONS? The answer is a resounding YES, YES, YES!
Up-lifting and beautiful, happy yet melancholy, it doesn't get any better than this.
Go and buy it.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Fulfillingness' First Finale

by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date May 01, 2000
This album won't grab you at first. I had it a while before it got under my skin. Just be patient, you will be richly rewarded.

Strongly recommended.

..oh and check the sound quality. This album is nearly 35 years old and it gives plenty of modern recordings a complete pasting.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Music Of My Mind

by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date May 01, 2000
I agree with what reviewers have said so far. This is not as good as Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness or Songs In The Key. It is quite a good introduction to the classic Stevie sound though and the listener can see how Stevie developed that trademark sound over the next 4 or 5 albums. I would say it is better than Where I'm Coming From and the 60s Motown period is nicely summerised on several compilations albums, so this is the first truly great Stevie solo album. My faves are 'Superwoman', 'Happier Than The Morning Sun', 'Keep On Running' and even 'Evil', though it is very cheesy, I like a bit of that sometimes!. The only negative point about some Stevie albums is the tendency to make a 3:30 pop single into an 8 minute jam which sometimes works and sometimes does ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Hotter Than July

by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date May 08, 2000
Hotter than July, is never really acknowledged, in despite of the achievements that Wonder managed to do with it. The album was the best selling of his career to that point and Dr Martin Luther King Jr was granted a national holiday on 26th January 1986 after his plea in the song "Happy Birthday"

Wonder promotes diversity, peace (Master Jammin'-a tribute to Bob Marley's reggae style); anger ("I ain't gonna stand for it"); politics ("Cash in your hand"), love ("All i do" and "Rocket Love") and influence ("Happy Birthday"- the song now even appears in real birthday cards, despite being written as a tribute to the civic rights work by Dr Martin Luther King Jr.)

CD-Charts Position 6
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What's Going On

by: Marvin Gaye

Release Date January 27, 2003
This album blew my mind when I first heard it 15 years or so ago. From the first to the last this album reaches the pinnacles that other artists just cannot. To think that it is over 30 years old to me it sounds fresher and more vital than most of the bland R&B that is being offered up today. Also it's political message still blows me away.

This album is so good that everyone should own it. Infact if you know someone who doesn't get them a copy. It would count as a genuine act of kindness on your part.

It's just a shame he's not still with us.

CD-Charts Position 7
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In Square Circle

by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date March 18, 1996

One of only two albums I have ever purchased by Stevie Wonder - the other being his best-selling 'Hotter Than July' from 1981.

When I first heard the dreamy 'Overjoyed' hit from 1986 - I was sold and simply had to have the album it was taken from. I also purchased the 12" extended single version and played it to death! This beautiful song will forever remind me of the Spring of 1986. Though often liking Stevie's single material, I was never tempted to purchase an album of his until this release. This also includes the top five smash from the previous year: 'Part-Time Lover'. Some of Stevie's songs do tend to go on a bit, but there are some great numbers here like the lovely 'epic': 'Whereabouts' which has 'echoes' of 'Overjoyed', and so if you liked that, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Let's Get It On

by: Marvin Gaye

Release Date January 27, 2003
Often, when listening to Marvin, I get a lump in my throat. This is knowing how he spent his last few years, and how his life was eventually ended. However, it's also the fragility of his voice. By this I don't mean his voice wasn't strong or good. However some songs, including many on this album, display a vulnerability. Dusty was the same - some of her ballads displayed the same fragility and vulnerability. Sadly, Johnny Cash's last recordings were the same, but for different reasons. All were and are (on record, anyway) great artists, and deserve all their accolades.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Early Classics

by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date February 28, 2000
I am listening to this CD as I write this & I promise you it is absolute 100% quality, all the way through. These early recordings are an absolute treat. Stevie Wonder is not & never has been one of my very favourite artists but despite that,I still enjoy his music & I could not recommend this album more highly - the genius of the man is evident on this set of recordings. Wonderful in every way & a steal at the price - quality like this should surely cost more ? Go mad & treat yourself !

CD-Charts Position 10
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Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants

by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date September 18, 1995
This album ended the remarkable run of albums Wonder wrote, performed and produced in the 70s, starting with Music of my mind and finishing in Songs in the key of life. This album is almost unrecognisable from any of them. It was the sound track of a film which has sunk without trace, but I'd love to see it. I understand that much of the music is written to go with the film with scenes as strange as hooking a plant up to electrodes and measuring it's sensitivity while they chop a head of lettuce in front of it. Consequently much of this album is soundscapes and disappointing to anyone seeking radio friendly pop songs.

The reason it was a commercial flop by Wonder's standards is obvious. There were 3 years between songs in the key of life and this. Three years of building excitement ... Read More: