Customer Reviews

Syreeta/Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this album nearly two weeks ago, after having heard that it was worth finding, but not really knowing anything about it. I had previously only known a few Syreeta tracks, mainly the two tracks from her 1968 Gordy single (under the name Rita Wright), and the classic track "Harmour Love". I love her crystal-clear, sweet and soulful voice, and thought it would be worth my while to try this CD.

From the opening beats of "I Love Every Little Thing About You", I knew I was in for a treat. This CD, which has both Syreeta's debut album, and the follow-up "Stevie Wonder Presents..." is nothing short of a sonic revelation. It has been a long, long time, since I have been so moved and inspired by a single CD, but this album delivers in excess. Following the superb opener, we are treated to the soulful, haunting "Black Maybe", the lilting "Keep Him Like He Is", a funky, bizarre and yet wholly stunning version of "She's Leaving Home" that routinely gives me goosebumps, and other stunners like "What Love Has Joined Together", "Happiness" and "How Many Days". Yes, the whole album is a jewel, and I was sure after the first few listens, that this first half of the CD, her debut album was the cream of the crop here...

That is, until I really started to settle in, and listen to the second half of the CD. What an album! Syreeta's second outing is a musical journey, chronicling her tumultuous relationship with (at one time) husband and collaborator Stevie Wonder. This part of the CD starts with three fun, singable funky numbers, exploring the thrills of new love. The lyrics border on the repetitive side at times, but "I'm Goin' Left", "Spinnin' and Spinnin'" and "Your Kiss is Sweet", conjure the feelings of goodness that many people never want to have end. The funky "Come Get This Stuff" is sassy, and keeps the good grooves going as the album makes a sombre transition.

What follows from here, are three of the most stunning, intimate, emotional tracks that have ever been put to record. The mood mellows with the beautiful and sad "Heavy Day". Who hasn't had one of those? Syreeta's delivery is so spot-on in conveying the right feeling, it's chilling. As if this were not enough, the track which comes next, "Cause We've Ended As Lovers", nearly tips things over the edge. An incredibly potent melancholy ballad, with gorgeous harmonies, and some of the most heartbreaking lyrics about letting go of love. It's literally one goosebump-inducing moment after another. I can't imagine anything but a rock, not being moved by this stellar piece. The trio finishes off with another lovely ballad, "Just A Little Piece of You".

The rest of the album is equally as great as what comes before. There are a couple brief but interesting musical transitions, setting the tone of the story, before the final numbers, a great duet called "I Wanna Be By Your Side" and finally the uplifting, inspiring "Universal Sound of the World". Why this album does not receive more praise is unfortunate, because it surely is one of the masterworks of 70s soul, and modern music. Stevie Wonder's production (and vocal involvement) and the voice of Syreeta, show a skill and care rarely heard in music today. It is clear from track to track that love was the main ingredient in this masterpiece.

I didn't expect to enjoy this CD as much as I did, when I bought it, but in the last two weeks, since, I have played it more times then I can count. It's been a daily listen for me. Syreeta had the voice of an angel, clearly, and we can thank the stars that this marriage of talents between her and Stevie brought on such an immaculate pair of projects. I wholeheartedly recommend this CD to anyone who appreciates good, and thoughtful music.

I saw this release receive a five star review in a magazine and, having learnt to treat single sources with suspicion, I did a little further research and after seeing many more positive comments, decided to go for it. I am very glad I did. This album has been the soundtrack to my summer, often being played daily.

This CD contains the two complete albums "Syreeta"(1972) and "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta"(1974). Apparently each album was critically well received on release but achieved only moderate commercial success(charting at 185 and 116 respectively on Billboard). What you get is Twenty tracks, eight by Wonder, nine by (Syreeta)Wright/Wonder, one by Wright and two covers(one of which being the unexpected, but fantastically good, version of The Beatles 'She's Leaving Home'). A few of the Wonder tracks crop up(in different forms)elsewhere but the majority are only available here(and these are songs written in his 'classic period').

This is one of those albums where you know you've hit gold on the first play and just gets better and better from there. The range of emotion and style is amazing, from deeply moving and personal to 'light as air' pop and just about everything in between, Syreeta's voice is superb throughout and the consistency of the song-writing(from all parties)is incredible.

This really is one of those lesser known gems and is a must have for anyone with even the faintest of interest in either Stevie Wonder or Syreeta and indeed anyone who appreciate great soulful music.

P.S. My advice is; don't wait to buy this, my copy has 'limited edition' stamped on it and is no. 0452/5000. Five thousand is not that many and I've seen too many of this sort of release become very expensive a short time after initial release.

Released on Hip-O Select's own website in June 2004 and then given a Stateside commercial release that same year - this limited edition CD has long since been deleted and has acquired a bit of a hefty price-tag ever since.

Motown/Hip-O Select B0002543-02 offers up the first two of six LPs she recorded for Motown and breaks down as follows (78:07 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 9 are her debut album "Syreeta" released June 1972 in the USA on MoWest MW-113L and November 1972 in the UK on MoWest MWS 7001
[Tracks 1, 2, 4 and 7 are written by Stevie Wonder with 3, 8 and 9 co-written with Syreeta Wright. Tracks 5 and 6 are covers of The Beatles "She's Leaving Home" and The Temptations "What Love Has Joined Together" (written by Smokey Robinson)]

Tracks 10 to 20 are her 2nd LP "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta" released June 1974 in the USA on Motown M6-808S1 and September 1974 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11268
[Tracks 13, 15, 17, 18 and 19 are written by Stevie Wonder with 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 20 co-written with Syreeta Wright]

The gatefold card digipak is numbered in gold on the rear (a limited edition of 5000 worldwide) and features the artwork to "Syreeta" on the front cover with the rear sleeve of to the original LP pictured beneath the see-through tray on the inside. The 16-page booklet has the 2nd album artwork complete too with detailed recording and reissue credits and an essay on the releases by British Soul aficionado DAVID NATHAN (with contributions from Syreeta herself - sadly in the year before she died).

The sound quality is truly BEAUTIFUL - remastered from the first generation tapes by one of Universal's top engineers - ELLEN FITTON. She did all 12 of the extraordinary "Motown Complete Singles" Box Sets (Volumes 1 to 11B) as well as many, many other releases from Motown artists. I've created a TAG above for both her work and Hip-O Select releases worth noting - it gives you a pictorial display (I've reviewed a large number of them).

Married to Syreeta since 1970, both albums heavily featured Stevie Wonder's mercurial involvement in production, song contribution and playing - and both are so much the better for it (this was his 1972 to 1974 run-of-genius period - "Music Of My Mind", "Talking Book", "Innervisions" and "Fulfillingness' First Finale"). So it's also not surprising to find that his production values on these two records matched that of the highly produced "Innervisons" say - all swirling synths and funky beats with that wonderful Seventies feel. Ace guitarist BUZZY FENTON played on "Syreeta" while MINNIE RIPERTON sang backing vocals on "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta".

Both albums were critically acclaimed at the time, but the public didn't take to either in earnest giving them modest positions of 38 and 53 on the USA R'n'B album charts. Which is strange because the lead off single from "Syreeta" was its strongest track - an edit of "To Know You Is To Love You". It's the albums only duet vocal between Stevie and her and was released Stateside on MoWest 5021 in July 1972. Its sound quality here is a real highlight. The cover of the Sgt. Peppers classic "She's Leaving Home" features a treated vocal by Stevie cleverly wrapped around layered backing vocals from her. Another goody on the debut is "I Love Every Little Thing About You" which Stevie had released on "Music Of My Mind" in March 1972 - but her later version is equally good - and very suited to her sweet vocals.

It's not all genius of course - the 2nd LP sports some dreadfully saccharine tracks like "Your Kiss Is Sweet" and "Waitin' For The Postman" (which features GC Cameron on duet lead vocals). But it redeems itself big time on the heartfelt "Cause We Ended As Lovers" (lyrics above) - a track I've loved for years and came to in a roundabout way. Jeff Beck did a stunning instrumental cover version of it on his brilliant 1975 "Blow By Blow" album - and I backtracked to find the lovely original. Another track where the romance and music do combine so sweetly is "Just A Little Piece Of You" - a bit of a forgotten Soul gem really.

To sum up - this is a lovely reissue with gorgeous sound quality - and while its not all Godlike in terms of songs, the good stuff is well worth seeking out - even if it costs.