Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta
Encyclopedia
Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta is the second full-length release by Motown recording artist Syreeta Wright
, issued on the Motown label, in June 1974.
, the album was produced around the same time its producer Stevie Wonder
was also providing albums by Minnie Riperton
(Perfect Angel
) and his own Fulfillingness' First Finale
. For this album, members of Wonder's female background singing group Wonderlove (Lani Groves, Shirley Brewer and Deniece Williams
) helped alongside Wright in songs such as the political rant "I'm Goin' Left", the funky "Come and Get This Stuff" (originally written by Wonder for the group Rufus and Chaka Khan
) and the ballads "Heavy Day", "'Cause We've Ended as Lovers" and "Just a Little Piece of You". Wright handled her own background vocals for the psychedelic soul-driven "Spinnin' and Spinnin'" before being assisted by Wonderlove and Wonder at the end, while both Wright and Wonder sung background on the reggae-flavored "Your Kiss is Sweet". The soulful ballad "I Wanna Be By Your Side" was a duet between Wright and former Spinners lead vocalist G.C. Cameron while the ending of the song "Universal Sound of the World", featured Wright and Wonder flirting with each other emulating the sounds of little children. Minnie Riperton herself provided her trademark whistle register
vocal near the end of "Heavy Day". The album became a hit in the UK with the songs "I'm Goin' Left", "Spinnin And Spinnin'" and "Your Kiss is Sweet" finding success in the UK, with the latter song reaching number 12 there in that country while the album failed to generate success in Wright's homeland in the US.
It is noted that the second side montage starting with 'Cause We Ended As Lovers' was a chronicle of their lead up to divorce in the early seventies when she helped write some lyrics on 'Music Of My Mind' and 'Talking Book'. A a condition of said divorce was believed to be his willingness to help her with this album. It is a tour de force much like 'Abbey Road' where the first side is made of songs and the second like an opera.
and Syreeta Wright
unless otherwise noted.
]) would all find themselves sharing space on the pop singles charts within a year of each other, a decade after this album's release.
Syreeta Wright
Syreeta Wright , who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was a Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter most notably known for her work with Stevie Wonder and Billy Preston.-Early life and career:...
, issued on the Motown label, in June 1974.
Reception
Coming two years after Wright's acclaimed but commercially maligned debut album, SyreetaSyreeta (1972 album)
Syreeta is the debut solo album by Motown singer Syreeta Wright, released in 1972 on Motown's MoWest subsidiary. Produced by Wright's ex-husband Stevie Wonder, it was released following the former couple's separation and subsequent divorce...
, the album was produced around the same time its producer Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
was also providing albums by Minnie Riperton
Minnie Riperton
Minnie Julia Riperton was an American singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 single "Lovin' You". She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from 1972 until her death in the summer of 1979. They had two children - music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya...
(Perfect Angel
Perfect Angel
In 1973, a college intern for Epic Records found Riperton in semi-retirement. She had become a homemaker and a mother of two in Gainesville, Florida. After he heard a demo of the song "Seeing You This Way", the rep took the tape to Don Ellis, VP of A&R for Epic...
) and his own Fulfillingness' First Finale
Fulfillingness' First Finale
-Side One:#"Smile Please" – 3:28#*Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, drums#*Michael Sembello – electric guitar#*Reggie McBride – electric bass#*Bobbye Hall – congas, bongos#*Jim Gilstrap – background vocals...
. For this album, members of Wonder's female background singing group Wonderlove (Lani Groves, Shirley Brewer and Deniece Williams
Deniece Williams
June Deniece Chandler known by her stage name Deniece Williams is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s...
) helped alongside Wright in songs such as the political rant "I'm Goin' Left", the funky "Come and Get This Stuff" (originally written by Wonder for the group Rufus and Chaka Khan
Rufus (band)
Rufus was an American funk band from Chicago, Illinois best known for launching the career of lead singer Chaka Khan. They had several hits throughout their career, including "Tell Me Something Good," "Sweet Thing," and "Ain't Nobody."-Origins:...
) and the ballads "Heavy Day", "'Cause We've Ended as Lovers" and "Just a Little Piece of You". Wright handled her own background vocals for the psychedelic soul-driven "Spinnin' and Spinnin'" before being assisted by Wonderlove and Wonder at the end, while both Wright and Wonder sung background on the reggae-flavored "Your Kiss is Sweet". The soulful ballad "I Wanna Be By Your Side" was a duet between Wright and former Spinners lead vocalist G.C. Cameron while the ending of the song "Universal Sound of the World", featured Wright and Wonder flirting with each other emulating the sounds of little children. Minnie Riperton herself provided her trademark whistle register
Whistle register
The whistle register is the highest register of the human voice, lying above the modal register and falsetto register...
vocal near the end of "Heavy Day". The album became a hit in the UK with the songs "I'm Goin' Left", "Spinnin And Spinnin'" and "Your Kiss is Sweet" finding success in the UK, with the latter song reaching number 12 there in that country while the album failed to generate success in Wright's homeland in the US.
It is noted that the second side montage starting with 'Cause We Ended As Lovers' was a chronicle of their lead up to divorce in the early seventies when she helped write some lyrics on 'Music Of My Mind' and 'Talking Book'. A a condition of said divorce was believed to be his willingness to help her with this album. It is a tour de force much like 'Abbey Road' where the first side is made of songs and the second like an opera.
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Stevie WonderStevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
and Syreeta Wright
Syreeta Wright
Syreeta Wright , who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was a Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter most notably known for her work with Stevie Wonder and Billy Preston.-Early life and career:...
unless otherwise noted.
- "I'm Goin' Left" (3:36)
- "Spinnin' And Spinnin'" (4:21)
- "Your Kiss Is Sweet" (4:31)
- "Come And Get This Stuff" (Wonder) (3:38)
- "Heavy Day" (4:00)
- "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" (Wonder) (4:30)
- "Just A Little Piece of You" (4:01)
- "Waitin' For The Postman" (Wonder) (1:47)
- "When Your Daddy's Not Around" (Wonder) (1:03)1
- "I Wanna Be By Your Side" (Wonder) (with G.C. Cameron) (4:04)
- "Universal Sound of the World" (4:06)
- 1 - Lead vocals handled by Dennis Morrison and Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
Credits
- Produced by Stevie Wonder for Black Bull Productions
- Lead vocals by Syreeta Wright, Stevie Wonder, Dennis Morrison and G.C. Cameron
- Background vocals by Wonderlove (Anita Sherman, Lani Groves, Deniece WilliamsDeniece WilliamsJune Deniece Chandler known by her stage name Deniece Williams is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s...
and Shirley Brewer), Minnie RipertonMinnie RipertonMinnie Julia Riperton was an American singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 single "Lovin' You". She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from 1972 until her death in the summer of 1979. They had two children - music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya...
, Stevie Wonder, G.C. Cameron and Syreeta Wright - Instrumentation by Stevie Wonder, Reggie McBride, Ollie BrownOllie E. BrownOllie E. Brown is an American drummer, percussionist and record producer. A prolific session musician, Brown has performed on over a hundred albums in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Brown was also half of the American dance-pop duo Ollie & Jerry, which had a Top 10 hit with "Breakin'.....
, Marlo Henderson, Mike Sembello, Dennis Morouse and Steven Madaio
Charts
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
||
| 1974 | Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta is the second full-length release by Motown recording artist Syreeta Wright, issued on the Motown label, in June 1974.-Reception:... |
116 | 53 |
Trivia
Four artists who performed on this album (Stevie Wonder, Deniece Williams, Michael Sembello, and Ollie Brown [of Ollie & JerryOllie & Jerry
Ollie & Jerry was an American dance-pop duo active in the 1980s, consisting of drummer Ollie E. Brown and R&B singer Jerry Knight.Despite releasing no studio albums under their own name, they are still widely known for their hit single "Breakin'.....
]) would all find themselves sharing space on the pop singles charts within a year of each other, a decade after this album's release.