Why does it seem as though the whole world neglected this album when it was released, and continues to ignore it afterward?

In 1974, Stevie Wonder was at the absolute peak of his creative power as a self-producing musician. Syreeta also recorded at Motown, working as a singer of demos that eventually went to Diana Ross and/or the Supremes.  She came very close to replacing Diana Ross when she started her solo career, but Mary Wilson vetoed the idea, opting to stick with Ross’ first replacement Jean Terrell.

When the couple met in 1968, they became each other’s muse. Wonder convinced Wright to try her hand at songwriting, and a collaboration of theirs (“It’s a Shame”) became a big hit for the Spinners. She also provided backing vocals on Wonder’s solo work – you can hear her on “Signed, Sealed Delivered” and “If You Really Love Me”, both collaborative efforts. The couple was married in 1970, just as Stevie Wonder’s solo career was about to undergo a considerable maturation, resulting in some of the best albums of the era.

While Wonder compiled acknowledged works of genius such as “Talking Book” and “Innervisions,” Wright also went to work on her own albums. Despite the fact that their marriage was short-lived, the couple remained close friends, and Wonder acted as producer for his ex-wife’s efforts.

Real life crept into both of their songs, with “Talking Book” and “Innervisions” featuring co-written songs both bittersweet and beautiful. Wright’s own albums were jarringly autobiographical. Her first solo release, simply titled ‘Syreeta’, has Stevie Wonder’s imprint all over it, but despite some excellent collaborative work, sold poorly. Two years later, Wonder worked on ‘Fulfillingness’ First Finale” while simultaneously producing Wright’s follow-up. This time, he attached his name to the title, and had (or shared) writing credits for every track.

In short, “Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta” is a grossly overlooked Stevie Wonder collaboration, featuring some of the best material of his entire career. Through no fault whatsoever of Wright, if Wonder released this collection of songs under his own name, his star power would have easily vaulted this record to #1. As it is, it’s a sleeper beauty beyond measure.

Song for Song, “Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta” is as impressive as any of Wonder’s own solo projects. “I’m Goin’ Left” celebrates a political stance with a sense of joy, completely free of polemics. “Your Kiss Is Sweet” has Wonder’s melodic stamp over it, and should have been a huge pop hit (as it was in the UK, but not here). “Heavy Day” and “’Cause We’ve Ended Now As Lovers” mark two of the best ballads ever written (or co-written) by Stevie Wonder, with the latter achieving a degree of fame as a standout track on Jeff Beck’s instrumental album, “Blow By Blow”.

Side two of the album is given over to a jarringly honest autobiographical medley of songs that portray the collapse of the couple’s marriage, and subsequent recovery.  It unfolds like a bittersweet opera of sorts, and Wonder even takes a role, playing himself on “When Your Daddy’s Not Around”. This is music that is forthright, honest and truly beautiful, a breakup record free of malice or anger. “Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta” is a testament to itself in that it represents a search for beauty at the end of the rainbow, through a collaboration made by two extraordinarily talented divorcees. In short, it is a neglected masterpiece.

Featured Tracks:

I'm Goin' Left

Spinnin' and Spinnin'

Your Kiss Is Sweet

Come and Get This Stuff

Heavy Day

Cause We've Ended as Lovers

ust a Little Piece of You

Waitin' for the Postman

When Your Daddy's Not Around

I Wanna Be by Your Side

Universal Sound of the World (Your Kiss Is Sweet)

July 1974 - Billboard Charted #116