With this ambitious double album, Stevie Wonder wrote one of the best records of all time in 1976. It impresses not only because of its size, but also because of the consistent quality of the material. Many of the songs are considered classics and even the ones that didn't hit the charts at the time (Village Ghetto Land, Pastime Paradise) later gained massive fame in others' versions. Wonders magnum
… opus starts with a song that has never lost its meaning, the reason why Wonder has been starting concerts with it for many years: Love Is In Need Of Love Today. Here is Stevie the world improver speaking. Yet he does not make the mistake of subordinating the message to the music. With the help of a beautiful melody he seduces the listener to go along with his vision. On the rest of the record he always manages to link the personal to the universal with lyrics that go deeper than the average pop song but can always be understood by everyone. Musically it also transcends the usual boxes of pop, soul, funk, fusion and jazz, although clear influences can be identified from all these styles. The alternately swinging and compelling playing, and especially the fabulous vocals, make Songs In The Key Of Life a still inspiring album, which time and again leaves the listener with a purified feeling. (MS) although clear influences can be identified from all these styles. The alternately swinging and compelling playing, and especially the fabulous vocals, make Songs In The Key Of Life a still inspiring album, which time and again leaves the listener with a purified feeling. (MS) although clear influences can be identified from all these styles. The alternately swinging and compelling playing, and especially the fabulous vocals, make Songs In The Key Of Life a still inspiring album, which time and again leaves the listener with a purified feeling. (MS)more
