200 ALBUMS: #85. Continues next week.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#85

MUSIC OF MY MIND: STEVIE WONDER

 

 [1972] 

Stevie Wonder's 1972-76 albums capture his genius at its peak. 'Music Of My Mind' preceded the classics. On this LP, Wonder offers a glimpse of his potential. It is easy to overlook this album in light of the ones issued over the next 4 years, but the record does contain some stepping stones towards brilliance. At the time, Wonder was aged 23. He had just renegotiated a lucrative record deal with Motown Records. Demanding greater autonomy, Wonder had sachieved his goal. As albums continued to gain increased prominence, Wonder was positioning himself to be a leader with follow-ups 'Talking Book', 'Innervisions', 'Fulfillingness' First Finale' and his masterpiece 'Songs in the Key of Life'. Despite his youth, he delivers "Evil" with maturity on 'Music of my Mind'. Single handedly, the track "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" is reason enough to include this album among the Top 200. Over 8 minutes, Wonder tells a tale of a man whom, after giving his woman a chance to grow, finds himself alone. It is one of his standout songs.

Highlight tracks: Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You); Evil & I Love Every Little Thing About You.