STEVIE WONDER 1st PRESS 'SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE' 1976 TAMLA COMPLETE LOOK

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STEVIE WONDER 'SONGS KEY OF LIFE' 1976 COMPLETE MINTY FIRST PRESS 
ARTIST: STEVIE WONDER TITLE: SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE EP TITLE: SOMETHING MORE LABEL: MOTOWN T13-340 C2 FORMAT: 2-LP VINYL 33rpm w/ EP 33 rpm RELEASED: SEPTEMBER 28, 1976 LACQUERS: CRYSTAL (XTAL) MASTERED: MONARCH △21344 MATRIX: SIDE A:  T13340 C2 2645 EBF S06A XTAL Δ 21344  PRESSING: MONARCH??  △21344 (Circle w/ M, not MR, all sides)
Logo on front left of cover states: "Collector's Album includes Two Records, A Something's Extra Bonus Record, 21 Page Lyric Booklet"
Gatefold Cover w/ die-cut slot for EP inside jacket
LPs are auto-coupled for continuous play
~~~~~ I've been going thru my massive vinyl record collection this summer and pulling out some LPs that I thought that someone else would want for their collection. I've been collecting records for over 40 years and it's time to pass some of them on to the next generation of collectors.
This week on EBay I am offering up my nice, clean, pristine, pressing of Stevie Wonder's 'Songs in the Key of Life.' This is my original copy that I've taken great care of for many years.
This is a very clean original first pressing that I purchased as a teen in Chicago back when it was released. It is all original and complete. It has the booklet, the EP in its die-cut notch, and is still in fantastic condition. I've been collecting records a long time, and this is easily one of the best condition 'used' copies I've ever seen.
Because the EP and the booklet were 'stuffed' into this gatefold jacket, this album was notorious for showing ring wear. Most used copies have some ringwear but this copy has very very little. It looks fantastic. The only 'fault' is a small 'ding' on the front cover near the center of the right side. This is a small area of wear from re-sleeving the records. Other than that it looks terrific. See the many pictures I posted. They are of the actual LP that I'm listing.
The vinyl looks almost perfect. I can't believe I've had this for over 40 years and it still looks perfect. The vinyl looks fantastic, all six sides, the labels are clean, and the spindle holes show almost no evidence of play. An amazingly clean copy.
The booklet is clean, sharp, no folds, marks or damage.
The very first pressings of this LP had the EP inserted into a notch on the inside of the gatefold. That led to cover damage and ringwear, so it was just added separately on later pressings. This copy has the original die cut 'notch' and it's clean, with no tears, creases or damage.
This is an original Tamla Motown release, pressed, I believe, by Monarch, who were known to make some of the best sounding versions.
~~~~~~ Stevie Wonder was, and still is, universally loved, respected, and honored in the field of Soul and Pop music. He had a particular genius for writing carefully crafted, perfect songs that just have a flow to them.
This record shows Stevie Wonder at his apex, creating truly timeless music. This classic album is full of Stevie Wonder at his musical, vocal and songwriting best.
'Songs in the Key of Life' is filled with so many shining moments. There's soulful vocals, grooving funk rhythm, beautiful love songs, tunes of hope and praise, and so much more.
The instruments range from some of the earliest MOOG synthesizer used on a soul LP, to funky horns, blistering guitar, Gospel harmonies, even an occasional stringed Harp. It's a pure inspiration of musicianship, songcraft, and production.
The booklet lists over 120 different musicians and vocalists that helped Stevie put just the right touches on this music.
~~~~~~~~~~~ It has been well documented that, in 1971, after years of being Berry Gordy's puppet, Stevie turned 21 and was freed from his Motown contract.
He signed up again with Motown, but now had full creative control over his albums. Stevie Wonder was so prolific during the early to mid-70’s that he could do no wrong during this time. He released 'Talking Book', then 1973’s 'Innervisions' and 1974's 'Fulfillingness First Finale', both of which won back-to-back 'Album of the Year' trophies at the Grammys. Stevie Wonder created six Top Ten hits in just three years.
This album was the last in that classic run of mid-70s albums, the culmination of that historic period of creativity. It's a lengthy, but concentrated, explosion of the music he had been working on for two years. His heart and soul is evident in every track.
He released this 21 song masterpiece in September of 1976. The original working title was "Let’s See Life the Way It Is" but he changed it to "Songs in the Key of Life." I think the original title fits the songs better.
Some of the songs are simple celebrations of love and faith. Others are jazzy, others have an upbeat funky groove. The sounds on this album draw effortlessly from funk, soul, pop, jazz, African and Latin styles. 
Stevie Wonder produced, arranged, wrote and composed everything on this album. He sings all the leads and most of the backing tracks as well.
'Songs in the Key of Life' entered the album charts at No. 1 and stayed there for the rest of the year. It bumped 'Frampton Comes Alive!' out of the No. 1 slot, and it took the classic Eagles album 'Hotel California' to dislodge it from the #1 spot it so rightly deserved. Inevitably, 'Songs...' earned Wonder his third straight 'Album of the Year' award at the Grammys. An amazing feat for any artist.
This album is worth owning just for the classic hits it contains; "Sir Duke", "I Wish" and "Isn't She Lovely." The album had 5 singles, 2 of which went to #1.
~~~~~~ This record was released in 1976, the Bicentennial year, when America was looking back at who we were and what we've become. The Black experience in America seemed like it hadn't changed very much at the time and Stevie sings about that.
He was clearly upset with the situation in the cities, the never-ending war in Vietnam, poverty, homelessness, and broken father-less families. The songs on this album attempt to portray the complete sweep of the Black American experience in the 70s.
The TV Film 'Roots' was released just before this album hit the shelves and suburban America was also re-examining the Black experience. Stevie sang about the 'real' black experience on this album better than anyone except maybe Curtis Mayfield at the time.
He emphasizes the fact that all colors and cultures have contributed to global progress. The underlying theme on this album is that Love can help fix many of these social issues. Something we still need more of today. 
~~~~~ At the time, some critics complained that it was too long and too excessive. 21 songs over 2 records, plus, he tossed in a 4 song EP. Rolling Stone famously claimed that the Album "has no focus or coherence” but they didn't understand what Stevie Wonder was trying to put together.
There is so much music here, almost 2 hours worth, that I keep rediscovering stuff on it that I missed on the first few listens. There are the classic hits on here, but there's so much more. Every song 'fits' and there's nothing that seems like filler. Listening to the album again, over the past few days, it just seems to flow and the album sides just glide by effortlessly. How many double albums can say the same thing? It's not too long, it's just right.
~~~~~~ This album was much more than just a masterpiece; musically, politically, culturally, it hit all the right nerves and it sold millions. It also still influences musical artists to this day, being sampled and referenced in modern music.
For better or worse, late 1976 was a time when music started to change drastically. Disco became the focus for new Black music, and within the inner city, hip-hop was taking shape. Suburban kids, fed up with the status quo, started putting together Punk bands. Stevie Wonder continued to make music, but never reached the levels he did with this classic album. His 'style' was soon out of fashion.
Listening to this album today, there's something fresh to hear, something just right for every mood. This timeless album is packed with some of the best performances of Wonder's career and is essential listening. The journey through this record is diverse and varied without ever feeling forced.    It's one of the greatest albums in the history of music. It's power and resonance are still timeless.
Add this classic, Stevie Wonder album to your collection today. It would make a great addition to any vinyl record collection. 
~~~~~ I’m recently retired and downsizing and letting go some gems and rarities from nearly 45 years of vinyl record collecting. Check out the many other fantastic 45s and 33s coming soon to my page!
All records have been carefully evaluated and graded by me. I visually inspect all records under bright light, personally gently clean them with a cloth and then, if unsure, play them on a modern high-end turntable to get a true picture of condition. Please look at all the high-resolution pictures I added. They are all my own and are of the actual record being sold. The pictures are part of the description and can show small details, label variations, and condition better than I can put into words. 
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THANK YOU for looking and reading if you got this far.  -- JOHN