Big Chuck Rates Some of His Favorite Records From his Vinyl Vault::

Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" was released in 1976.  I think everyone of my generation, well the music lovers at least, ran out to our favorite record stores (remember them?) and bought this album.  I wore this LP out.  I loved the cuts on it, even those that didn't get significant airplay.

America really embraced "Songs in the Key of Life" and it debuted at #1 on the Billboard Pop Album Chart, becoming the first American album to do that.  The songs on this album are catchy, some are actually quite deep and thought-provoking and others are classic Stevie Wonder ear worms.

"Isn't She Lovely" was the musical juggernaut that sent sales of this record soaring. The song was not released as a commercial single but received significant airplay.  Stevie Wonder sang this to the Queen of England live during a tribute to Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee on June 4, 2012.

A nice touch was the use of many famous, established performers who "guested" on the album.  These included Minnie Ripperton, Herbie Hancock, Denise Williams and George Benson.

The song lyrics celebrated the birth of Wonder's daughter, Aisha.

I give this album "4 Meatballs," my highest rating.

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