This is a 1973 “twofer” (that’s two for the price of one for the uninitiated) from the Netherlands collecting together Mr. Stevland Hardaway Judkins (his name at birth, you didn’t actually think his name was Wonder did you ? Although checking the names of some current sportsmen in the US it wouldn’t be a surprise, my current favourite is Koolaid McKinstry…yes really!) 2 albums originally released in 1972. For some reason on this release they are presented in reverse order as “Talking Book” was released after “Music Of My Mind”, trust the Dutch to be contrary.

Little Stevie Wonder, as he was known back in the 60’s, released his first single for Motown, “I Call It Pretty Music, But The Old People Call It The Blues”, in May 1962. 10 years on and Stevie had his head turned by synthesisers after hearing Tonto’s Expanding Head Band and had a hankering to write more socially relevant lyrics in the vein of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. He began working with Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff of Tonto’s Expanding Head Band and their first project together was 1972’s “Music Of My Mind”.

“Music Of My Mind” was Stevie’s first album under a new contract with Motown (although in the US it was released on the Tamla label. Confused ? Well in the US Motown and Tamla are separate imprints of the Motown company, as were Gordy, Soul, VIP, Rare Earth, Mo-West and a host of others. What we know as the “Tamla Motown” label only exists outside the US…clear ?). This new contract allowed him full artistic control over the music he recorded and released. Wonder produced the album and played all the instruments, except trombone on opening tune “Love Having You Around” and guitar on one song, himself. One thing that jumped out at at me is that almost every song on this album outstays it’s welcome, they are too long, just for the sake of being too long and not because the songs warrant it. A prime example is “Keep On Running”, it’s almost 7 minutes long and if it were only 3 you wouldn’t be missing out on anything.

My folks had a copy of “Talking Book” so I knew it from a fairly young age.  I therefore find it strange that the two songs I most associate with it are the somewhat schmaltzy “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” (we really should have seen “I Just Called To Say I Love You” coming shouldn’t we ?) and the beautiful closing “I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)” and not the synthesised mountain-o-funk known the world over as “Superstition”. The primary reason I grabbed this twofer was it had “Superstition” on it and every DJ at some point needs a guaranteed floor-filler, which “Superstition” most certainly is, but it was so nice to be reminded of ”I Believe…” when I played it in full.

These two albums were released only 5 months apart in May and October 1972. Stevie Wonder, who must have been on a creative speed trip, turned 22 that year and, unbelievably, these two were his 14th and 15th studio albums in just 10 years. His next two, “Innervisions” and “Fulfillingness First Finale”, were also recorded with assistance from Margouleff and Cecil and together with Stevie’s 18th studio album, “Songs In The Key Of Life”, form what’s known as his classic period. We all love a bit o’ Stevie…right ?

I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) - https://youtu.be/VfDZNwJ3jVU?si=crOYrlqlaOOlwPNh