Syreeta – S.T.
Motown’s Syreeta Wright is a bit of an unsung hero. Although her voice was not as outright powerful as the other soul divas of her day (Aretha, Diana, etc.), there’s a certain quietly soulful and chilling character to her voice that was like none other. Wright was briefly married to Stevie Wonder in the early 70’s and her debut album is produced and co-written by her then ex-husband. The album has all of the signature Stevie Wonder / Electric Lady Studios sounds including drum machines, Moog synthesizers, and talkboxes. Although the album failed commercially upon release, it has since become a cult classic and continues to reach new audiences today. Just check the YouTube comments on A2 Black Maybe: “Common brought me here.” “Solange brought me here.” “Earl Sweatshirt brought me here.” etc. The track’s message of celebrating Blackness is also especially poignant today… BLM!
– Phil Cho
Recommended – A1 I Love Every Little Thing About You, A2 Black Maybe, B1 She’s Leaving Home
A1 I Love Every Little Thing About You
A2 Black Maybe
A3 Keep Him Like He Is
A4 Happiness
B1 She’s Leaving Home
B2 What Love Has Joined Together
B3 How Many Days
B4 Baby Don’t You Let Me Lose This
B5 To Know You Is To Love You
Arranged By – Stevie Wonder, Trevor Lawrence, Yusuf Rahman
Art Direction – David Weissman
Backing Vocals – Gloria Barley, James Gilstrap, Lani Groves, Linda Tucker
Bass – Scott Edwards
Crew [Production Support] – Centaur Music Productions Inc.
Drums – Keith Copeland
Guitar – Buzzy Feiton*
Instruments [All Other Instruments By] – S. Wonder
Photography By [Cover] – Robert Margouleff
Producer – Stevie Wonder
Producer [Associate] – Malcolm Cecil, Robert Margouleff
Recorded By [Recordists] – Andy Edlen, Dick Shapiro, Joan DeCola
Strings – Julian Gaillard Orchestra