Hotter Than July [Remastered] - Stevie Wonder > Reviews > A little tepid in March

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
Value for Money

Advantages:	Only a couple
Disadvantages:	Bland in places

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

It's the start of the 80's for this Stevie Wonder album, and as with the decade in general, there's a little bit of everything on here.

"Did I hear You Say You Love Me?" - A bit rocky with an underlying funk bass line. Quite toe-tappy, but it lacks depth to really stick in your mind all that much. In my opinion it's not the best track to start the album with but it's passable, even if it is forgetable.

"All I Do" - Now this is a minor classic and that soft Hammond Organ start is far more memorable. A great little song, perfectly suited to Stevie Wonder's easy style. A touch of the Quincy Jones about this in it's production, and it's all the better for it. Nice miniature sax solo too.

"Rocket Love" - This track's got more of a jazzy feel to it. Slow and smoochy, the song is as classy "All I Do" but without the oomph. It's got a string arrangement which probably doesn't do it many favours listening to it now, but still a lovely melody. Someone should give this the 2000 treatment and re-release it, I reckon it would be a smash. (And if you do, remember I gave you the idea).

"I Ain't Gonna Stand For It". This is quite an angry song for Stevie, but only lyrically. It's about his suspicions of an affair occuring outside his relationship, and it's actually quite catchy, but I can't take his tone seriously. The guy is so laid back that he can't make the music carry the emotion, just the words. There's a nasty sort of country sound that pops up in the middle, but ignoring that, it's okay.

"As If You Read My Mind" - This starts suddenly and very soon after the last track so that you might not initially realise it's a seperate track, but the style is so different it quickly becomes obvious. Much more jazz influenced with a kind of rhumba type feel to it, this bops along quite happily with or without you. Worth listening to to hear Stevie on Harmonica, a real throwback to the 70's.

"Master Blaster (jamming)" - The biggest commercial hit on the album and trotted out occasionally on the radio to this day. We've moved into the Reggae arena for this one, and it's not bad although it's nowhere near Bob Marley for authenticity.

"Do Like You" - Again an uptempo number with children talking at the beginning of the track, probably his daughter Ayesha as she also featured on "Isn't She Lovely?". Boppy and catchy but somehow forgettable into the bargain. Despire Ayesha's charming little input.

"Cash In Your Face" - This one slows down a bit to a trot, but a funky trot. Not my cup of tea at all and I do my best to forget this one.

"Lately" - Again a minor classic, this is a real heart-breaker of a track with so much emotion that it really can bring a tear to my eye. Fantastic song. Great piano playing. Terrific lyrics.

"Happy Birthday" - Waaaaaaaay to commericial for my liking and overplayed at family birthday events the world over. The was written especially to celebrate the (50th?) birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, so it's nice for that gesture alone. Other than that it makes me reach for the "off" switch.

Not one of his best by any means, but a couple of real beauties are hidden away on this album.