On the seventh day of the week, seven songs from Stevie Wonder.
A companion piece of sorts to The O'Jays selection from a couple of weekends ago, today's Dubhed delight delves into some deep, extended Stevie Wonder workouts.
Without making this an hour-long mix - which I could have, easily - I have had to miss out some landmark albums, namely Where I'm Coming From (1971) and Music Of My Mind (1972). Otherwise, Stevie's run of classics through the 1970s is well represented.
Nicolas Laugier aka The Reflex is hopefully a familiar name to most of you. He has been producing 'revisions' of classic songs for years now, initially as a labour of love, now as a full-time occupation.
Don't Make Me Wait Too Long was originally written and performed by Stevie Wonder for Roberta Flack, which she recorded for her 1979 album Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway.
The Reflex Re√ision takes the multitracks from the original recording session, including Stevie's unreleased lead vocal. to create an nine-and-a-half minute, well, wonder.
From the 1980s, I've included the promo 12" version of Master Blaster (Jammin') which extends the original Hotter Than July album version for another minute or so. Part-Time Lover is also represented by it's 12" mix, at eight minutes twice the length of the version which opens 1985 album In Square Circle.
And what other way to wrap things up than with the full length album version of Isn't She Lovely from Songs In The Key Of Life?
A soulful Sunday with Stevie. What could be better?
1) Maybe Your Baby (1972)
2) Don't Make Me Wait Too Long (The Reflex Re√ision By Nicolas Laugier) (2020)
3) Master Blaster (Jammin') (12" Version) (1980)
4) Boogie On Reggae Woman (Album Version) (1974)
5) Part-Time Lover (12" Version) (1985)
6) Visions (1973)
7) Isn't She Lovely (Album Version) (1976)
1972: Talking Book: 1
1973: Innervisions: 6
1974: Fulfillingness' First Finale: 4
1976: Songs In The Key Of Life: 7
1980: Master Blaster EP: 3
1985: Part-Time Lover EP: 5
2020: Don't Make Me Wait Too Long EP: 2
No quibbles with anything on the mix but nothing from the 60s? No "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" or "I'm Wonderin'"?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ernie. This selection’s songs are all five minutes and over, so neither of your suggestions would have passed my rigid rule. Fingertips (Parts 1&2) may have been a contender, but what to leave out to make room for it?
ReplyDeleteDidn't realise you had a minimum time limit. I withdraw my suggestions.
DeleteWould have expected the Dub(hed) version of Master Blaster though ;-)
ReplyDeleteHere's another possible rabbit hole for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2cSvURKK78
https://ko-fi.com/killercut
Best, Fred