Stevie Wonder Motown Legends: I Was Made To Love Her - Uptight CD

This is part of ESX Entertainment's Motown Legends series.
Arranger: Stevie Wonder.
Wonder's entry in the Motown Legend Series is a keeper. Mega-hits "I Was Made to Love Her" and "Uptight" are packaged with a laundry list of excellent B-sides and LP cuts. One of the greatest remake artists in history, Wonder does nothing to lessen that title; he skillfully dishes out riveting renditions of "Respect" and Holland-Dozier-Holland's Bo Diddley-derived "Baby Don't You Do," made popular by Marvin Gaye. If "Ain't That Asking for Trouble" had been a plug side, it would have made an impact on the charts; it has a fast beat, snappy lyrics, and a title everyone could relate to. One of his most compelling but overlooked numbers, "Hey Love," is featured. It's a plodding ballad with sparse instrumentation and a great beat, complemented by an incredible, heart-wrenching vocal by Wonder. '90s superstar R. Kelly redid "Hey Love" on one of his earlier albums. (His hit "A Place in the Sun" gives a hint as to how Wonder would sound singing country/folk, but then Wonder would excel in any genre.) A no-brainer, 11 tight, tough songs in a row -- bam! bam! bam! ~ Andrew Hamilton
In 1961, discovered by Ronnie White of the Miracles, Stevie Wonder was signed by Berry Gordy of Motown Records. His voice broke in 1964 but he re-emerged in 1965 with a worldwide hit, "Uptight (Everything's All right)." His contract expired in 1971 and Wonder financed two experimental albums, playing almost all instruments. He pioneered the synthesizer's use in black music, and addressed racial and spiritual questions. WHERE I'M COMING FROM and MUSIC OF MY MIND put him at the forefront of black music. TALKING BOOK (1972) provided hits with "Superstition" and "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life." INNERVISIONS (1973) consolidated his success while TALKING BOOK gave the hits, "Living For The City" and "Higher Ground." SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE (1976), perhaps his most ambitious album, displayed musical virtuosity. The highly successful HOTTER THAN July (1980) included a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, "Happy Birthday," and a study in reggae, "Masterblaster (Jamming)." After Stevie Wonder's ORIGINAL MUSIQUARIUM I (1982), Wonder composed THE WOMAN IN RED (1984). It included his biggest-selling single, "I Just Called To Say I Love You." IN SQUARE CIRCLE (1985) and CHARACTERS (1987) returned to accessible melody. Wonder's image as a statesman of black music, and champion of black rights, was boosted by his successful campaign in the 80s to mark the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King with a national holiday.