A Time to Love - Stevie Wonder Album Review

Album Review

Sometimes hearts are easier to win over than minds. After Stevie Wonder's ten year hiatus both might be difficult to achieve. Hardcore fans will doubtlessly flock to see the fruit of his labours - the hearts. Others will wait for word of mouth - the minds. Something has clearly stirred Tamla Motown's favourite son into action - Love. Not just the love of our nearest and dearest, but love for the sake of humanity's survival. Littered with profound and mostly romantic lyrics, Wonder has delivered an album that contains strong emotional threads.

1976's Songs In The Key Of Life was Stevie Wonder's last masterpiece. It spoke for itself on the back of '73's gem Innervisions and '74s Fulfillingness Finale, both spawning brilliant singles Living For The City, and Higher Ground. Back then, Wonder was on a roll that spurred on the albums. Big hit single chances are slim for most if not all the tracks on A Time To Love. Funk- soul single What The Fuss faired reasonably well recently. It wasn't the monster we'd expected. Positivity could do better.

As the title, implies Stevie Wonder (real name Steveland Jutkins) gets deeply soulful and loved-up to all of us: and for us - a true humanitarian to the end. In fact he's sending a warning to the world.

A slick and meticulous album, I fear that only initial curiosity will draw the punters, possibly giving it a rush into the album charts.

Chart longevity may prove more elusive.

Wonder has elected to steer away from turkeys like I Just Called To Say I Love You released 21 years ago - From The Bottom Of My Heart comes close, but not as cheesy.

A Time To Love has predictably trademark soulful tendencies, but nothing like his early 60s or mid - seventies period.

This album of 15 tracks lacks a killer song - a true classic. However, if you're a friend of jazzy, funky, ballad leanings you'll love it.

Good albums invariably take time to access: eventually this grows.

First impressions reveal that his singing has vastly improved - there are some truly outstanding moments particularly on his duet with daughter Aisha Morris on How Will I Know is simply divine, as is title track featuring India Arie. Gospel singer Kim Burrell gives a classy touch on the thumping opener. Luminaries, Paul McCartney, (not another Ebony and Ivory thankfully! ) Prince and Narada Michael Walden make contributions here and there.

A very sophisticated album, but he's yet to match SITKOL.

It may give Wonder his 22 Grammy and add to the 70 million he's already sold worldwide, but a massive seller in the UK might not happen as there's not a memorable enough as single to send it upwards and stay there.

Excellent bits - Please Don't Hurt My Baby, How Will I Know, Can't Imagine Love Without You, Positivity.

Elly Roberts