Stevie Wonder – In Square Circle

I've rated other SW albums (even a re-issue with 5-stars),
but this one only gets 3-stars from me because of its sterile sound.
Back cover states "Digitally recorded and mixed at Wonderland Studios".

After the blahh of "Woman In Red", I believe "Stevie Wonder" had to regroup (I can't prove it though..Just how I feel about "Woman In Red")...So, at least "Stevie's" next album, "In Square Circle", holds true to the "Stevie form"...... Now, it still at times sounds a little too electronic, but so did most of the '80's....In my opnion, "Stevie" just got pulled in to be with the times ....Not to say that this album isn't good, in fact, at times it's great.....The album starts off with the Massive Monster #1 Hit Crown Jewel, "Part-Time Lover"....This song sounded so simple, even though it was about a jacked up relationship (LoL!!!!) It also had a gang of guest Vocalist in: "Billy Durham", "Darryl Phinnessee", "Keith John", "Melody McCully", "Peter Byrne", "Renee Hardaway", the one and only "Syreeta Wright", "Earth Wind & Fire's "Philip Bailey" (even though at this time he was now a Solo Star on his own) and it was topped off with the unmistakable Vocals of the one and only "Mr Luther Vandross"......The 2nd Crown Jewel and one of my outright favorites is, "I Love You Too Much"....I know that "Stevie" couldn't play Guitar, and I desperately looked on the liner notes to see if it was on the song and I couldn't find it...If that is the case, then how he played that Keyboard to make it sound like the Guitar blew me away (Now, honestly, if you guys find out differently, please let me know)!!!!! "Whereabouts", the 3rd Crown Jewel, sounds like it could be in his '70's heyday.... "Stranger On The Shore Of Love", also falls in that same catagory, and it is the 4th Crown Jewel..."Never In Your Sun" is a pretty nice song, but I feel like the beat is slightly too fast for the melody...Maybe it was experimental, who knows..."Spiritual Walkers" starts off the second side...It is a pretty interesting song, and I could be wrong, but I feel like it was talking about the "Jehovah Witness" faith (once again, I can't prove it though)...."Land Of La La", even though very Electronic, still passed for the 5th Crown Jewel....It also had great Guitar work by "Ben Bridges" and "Rick Zunigarand"... The 6th Crown Jewel, "Go Home" is just short of being stunning.....Even though again, very Electronic, the melody definately carried this one...My other Super Favorite, and the Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel, "Overjoyed", is just the absolute BOMB!!!!!! Having that pure "Stevie Wonder Sound", surrounding by pure nature is just gratifying!!!!!! In fact, I might stretch it a little in saying that this could have fit on "Secret Life Of Plants" (Sike!!! I know how you guys feel about that one!!!!) ....The album finishes off with "It's Wrong (Apartheid)"...Now, of course "Stevie" is always going to do some serious conscience records, that's what he does...I just personally felt like this one was way too Electronic, even though the subject matter was on point....Even though this album doesn't measure up to his classic '70's albums, it was still very very good...Even how the songs mesh together makes it feel like an "Authentic Stevie Wonder Record"....So, even though not a Pure Classic, it is still a Classic, and a very good album......

I've had this LP for several years now and haven't really given it the time of day ... until now. I have to say that, far from it being close to the glorious period from 1970-1976, this LP has a few gems imo. Overjoyed easily stands up with any of SW's classics, with a beautiful (if maybe overproduced string arrangement by Paul Riser), but there are some other moments worth listening to, namely Whereabouts, Never In Your Sun and Go Home (which I thought should have been a big hit back in the day when I bought it on 12"). As with many post 70's SW albums, you have to put up with some throwaway moments (It's Wrong for example, and (controversial I know) Part Time Lover, which I've always hated.
If you can get past the "in your face" pure digital recording, then there are clear moments of joy in here!

FULL DIGITAL RECORDING. i guess the CD is preferred over the LP?

This album was produced during the time Stevie was experimenting with synth. The vocals are superb as is to be expected.

Even when "bad" (or not that much, but still kinda naïve) Stevie Wonder stomps everyone else at will. Strong arrangements, despite how dated they sound nowadays.

My version looks similar to this one. It has the 25th Motown anniversary logo to the left on the labels. However, on Side A the lowest piece of text is A PRODUCT OF MOTOWN RECORD CORP. written in a circular pattern. On side B this piece is not there; side B looks exactly like the label shown on this release.

Barcode : 0035627200519