Stevie Wonder - Music of My Mind (1972) [MFSL Silver Label LP] 24-bit/96kHz & CD-format

“

With a new contract from Motown in his hand, Stevie Wonder released Music of My Mind, his first truly unified record and, with the exception of a single part on two songs, the work of a one-man-band. - John Bush/AMG (4.5/5 Stars)

”

Music of My Mind is a landmark album by Stevie Wonder, released on March 3, 1972 when Wonder was only 21 years old. Many observers count this album as the beginning of Wonder's "classic period", though others look to the previous one or the following one. It is his fourteenth studio release. Music of My Mind showcases Wonder's earlier experiments with the synthesizer, and is a more assured recording than Where I'm Coming From (his first effort while holding the majority of artistic control). Also on display were his increasing musical ambitions, with him leveraging different genres of music and utilizing longer song forms. Stevie used synthesizers for many musical parts on this album. He also played drums as he frequently does on all of his albums.

The texture of the album was different from anything he had released on the Motown label to that point. Standout tracks include "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)", "Happier Than The Morning Sun" and "I Love Every Little Thing About You". This is one of the earliest works in black music to include the use of synthesizers, and was the first of a set of collaborations between Stevie and his co-producers Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil.

In 2003, the album was ranked number 284 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Its enduring influence was confirmed with its UK re-release on September 22, 2008 to coincide with Wonder's autumn 2008 European tour.



Track listing

All songs written by Stevie Wonder except where indicated.

Side One

"Love Having You Around" (Wonder, Syreeta Wright) – 7:21

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, talk box, drums, Moog bass
Art Baron – trombone
Background Singers – uncredited

"Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" – 8:04

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, drums, Moog bass, T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer
Buzz Feiten – electric guitar

"I Love Every Little Thing About You" – 3:46

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, drums, bongos, Moog bass

"Sweet Little Girl" – 4:54

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, keyboard, piano, harmonica, drums, Moog bass

Side Two

"Happier Than the Morning Sun" – 5:18

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Hohner clavinet, Moog bass

"Girl Blue" (Wonder, Yvonne Wright) – 3:36

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, Hohner clavinet, drums, talk box, harmonica, Moog bass, T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer, percussion

"Seems So Long" – 4:22

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, keyboards, drums, Moog bass, T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer

"Keep On Running" – 6:40

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, piano, Hohner clavinet, handclaps, drums, Moog bass
Background Singers – uncredited

"Evil" (Wonder, Y. Wright) – 3:33

Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, piano, drums, Moog bass, T.O.N.T.O. synthesizer
Choir – uncredited

Professional ratings

Review scores

Allmusic 4.5/5 stars
Robert Christgau (B+)
Q 5/5 stars
Rhapsody (favorable)
Rolling Stone (favorable)
Rolling Stone 4/5 stars
Sounds (favorable)
Sputnikmusic 3.5/5 stars
Virgin Encyclopedia 4/5 stars
Yahoo! Music (favorable)