My Own Biggest Fan

I’m getting a little ahead of the game here, because there will be days when I can’t do an album. Xmas party season and all that, so today you get two.

I was prepared for an album much less diverse and listenable, something much less ambitious. This being a soundtrack, I expected a grouping of enjoyable, but pedestrian soundscapes. But of course that was before I knew that this was his follow up to Songs in the Key of Life. (which is an album that should be issued to every human at birth to teach how great music can be) Stevie eases you into a lull with the first three songs, all pretty instrumentals, he then gives you a taste of his amazing voice in the fourth, and to reward our patience things start getting weird, in a really good way.

Whatta you want? We got traditional Japanese chanting, jazz funk comedy, full on club disco, bouncy pop, and then we are back down to earth again for awhile. Of course, you do get the Stevie Wonder shmaltz once in awhile, but it’s done so well I can’t fault it. So many fun surprises, so rich with interesting melodies.

If I were to have to pick out something to naysay here, it’s that the mastering is a little brassy. This is one of the first albums to be recorded digitally, and you really can hear it. While the process does give it an exceptional clarity, it’s at the expense of some of the album’s warmth. But I only bring that up as an observation, I wouldn’t really consider it a true detriment.

Verdict: 4 out of 5 botanists recommend this album