![]() ![]() Since the past decade or so seems to showcase Stevie’s instrumental and compositional talents rather than merely less than satisfactory imitations of his vocal ones? The man’s influence,at least at present,seems to be in very good hands. It was Stevie Wonder’s composition and release of Happy Birthday, and his tireless campaigning, that led directly to the enshrinement of Dr. become a national holiday, and created this single to promulgate the cause. Wonder, a social activist, was one of the main figures in the campaign to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. And his emphasis on modern electronics to create emotional textures of sound is extremely useful as well. This song has no relation to the song traditionally sung on peoples birthdays.'Happy Birthday' is a song written, produced and performed by Stevie Wonder for the Motown label. Composing music with the type of jazz phrasings Stevie tends to use broadens songwriting possibilities for contemporary musicians. That the most positive creative flower of Stevie Wonder’s musical influence comes from those inspired by his musical approach, rather than his vocal one. In the end? It all comes down to a conversation Rique and myself have had over and over again. And that soft yet powerful rhythmic fullness only comes into the music on fairly rare occasions. Of course neo soul in particular hasn’t always come to grips very well with the strong control Stevie has over his idiosyncratic vocal approach. And those are both signatures of Stevie Wonder’s musical approach: utilizing new electronic technology to create brand new structures of sound that could be emotionally felt as well as heard. The multi layered,jazzy and melodic synthesizers and the easy going percussive rhythm define the songs core. One excellent example of this is the 1999 song “All That I Can Say”,performed by Mary J. ![]() But one thing that’s been uppermost in my mind,as Stevie Wonder turns 65 today? It’s the prevailing attitude today that,much as James Brown was The Godfather Soul? It would seem that Stevie Wonder is now considered something of a godfather of neo soul. ![]() It’s unknown as to whether these or any other album project from Stevie is actually on the horizon. One is said to be a gospel album and the other a collaboration with David Foster. In addition to all this powerful musical activity? It’s been announced that Stevie is planning on releasing two separate albums this year. In addition he has recorded on two major records this year in-including “Crack In The Pearl Part II” and “Uptown ‘s First Finale” on Mark Ronson’s massively successful album Uptown Special, as well as on the latest collaboration between Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams Bush-playing and singing on the opening song “California Roll” He was the beneficiary of an all star Grammy tribute that included the likes of John Legend,Janelle Monae,Jill Scott and India.Arie. Thus far? 2015 has proven itself to be an important year for Stevie Wonder. ![]()
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