Stevie Wonder – Songs In The Key Of Life (2xLP)

To sing songs in the key of life, as the cover promises us, must be more of an exercise than a labor of love for a soul musician. But this album, which Stevie Wonder – just 26 years old – produced more or less on his own, turned out to be a raving success at the time. The collection of love songs, childhood recollections and ghetto scenes were considered to be the ultimate confirmation of his extraordinary talent according to People Magazine while Melody Maker considered the album to be the "most essential recording of the year." That this collection should be considered as a complete work of art is easy to understand when one has listened to it right through because it's not a collection of hits and "best-ofs," and one has the opportunity to make one's own choice of top hits. Each number is a unique musical jewel.