Innervisions
Stevie Wonder

The bassline and groove on Too High immediately grab me, but Stevie's effortless vocals are just as good. Visions drops the tempo down and oozes atmosphere - hypnotizing and beautiful. Then we step it back up for a few songs (Living For The City and Higher Ground are highlights) before All In Love Is Fair, a piano ballad with some of the most powerful vocals on the record. He's Misstra Know-It-All is a strong closer too, smooth and evocative. I'm surprised at the songwriting maturity on display here. Bass, drums and synths combine in quite a wonderful way. Soulful? Certainly, but it's more than that. I can see how this would influence music to come. For me - an instant classic.

5