Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants (2LP 180g Vinyl) | Mint (M) Mint (M)

BRAND NEW

Label:    Motown – B0028292-01
Format:    2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Country:    US
Released:    Sep 7, 2018
Genre:    Funk / Soul
Style:    

A1        Earth's Creation
A2        The First Garden
A3        Voyage To India
A4        Same Old Story
A5        Venus' Flytrap And The Bug
A6        Ai No Sono
B1        Seasons
B2        Power Flower
B3        Send One Your Love (Music)
B4        Race Babbling
C1        Send One Your Love
C2        Outside My Window
C3        Black Orchid
C4        Ecclesiastes
C5        Kesse Ye Lolo De Ye
C6        Come Back As A Flower
D1        A Seed's A Star And Tree Medley
D2        The Secret Life Of Plants
D3        Tree
D4        Finale

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – UMG Recordings, Inc.
Copyright © – UMG Recordings, Inc.
Manufactured By – Universal Music Enterprises
Distributed By – Universal Music Enterprises
A Motown Records release, (P)1979 (C) 2018 UMG Recordings Inc. Manufactured and Distributed by Universal Music Enterprises, A Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. 2220 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404. All rights reserved. B0028292-01 universalmusicenterprises.com
Barcode: 602567526681

Personnel: Stevie Wonder (vocals, various instruments); Syreeta, Tata Vega (vocals); Ben Bridges, Rick Zunigar, Michael Sembello (guitar); Hank Redd (saxophone); Larry Gittens (trumpet); Ron Kersey (keyboards); Nathan Watts (bass); Ibrahim Camara, Lamine Konte, Dennis Davis, Joe Johnson, Earl DeRouen (percussion); Kathy Collier, Susaye Greene, Josie James, Abdoulaye Soumare, Angela Winbush, Shirley Brewer, Alexandra Brown, Marva Halcolm (background vocals). Stevie Wonder broke a three-year silence, one that followed a series of six classic albums released within six years, with this double album, the score/soundtrack to a little-seen environmental documentary directed by Wild Bunch co-screenwriter Walon Green. From the release of Songs in the Key of Life through the release of Plants, Wonder had been active, actually, but only as a collaborator, working with Ramsey Lewis, the Pointer Sisters, Minnie Riperton, Syreeta, Ronnie Foster, and Michael Jackson. Even so, three years was a considerable lag between albums. Anticipation was so high that this release peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 and R&B album charts. It quickly slipped to footnote status; when Wonder's 1972-1980 albums were reissued in 2000, it was left out of the program. Plants is a sprawling, fascinating album. Though it is dominated by synthesizer-heavy instrumental pieces with evocative titles, there is a handful of full-blown songs. The gorgeous, mostly acoustic ballad "Send One Your Love" was a Top Ten R&B single, while the joyous "Outside My Window" registered in the Top 60. Beyond that, there's the deep classic "Come Back as a Flower," a gently lapping, piano-led ballad featuring Syreeta on vocals. Otherwise, there are playfully oddball tracks like "Venus' Flytrap and the Bug," where Wonder chirps "Please don't eat me!" through robotizing effects, and "A Seed's a Star," which incorporates crowd noise, a robotized monologue, and a shrieking Tata Vega over a funkier and faster version of Yellow Magic Orchestra. The album is not for everyone, but it suited its purpose and allowed its maker an amount of creative wiggle room that few major-label artists experience. ~ Andy Kellman

• Format Type: 2xLP
• Genre: FUNK
• Format: Vinyl
• Media Condition: Mint (M)
• Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)
• Released: 09/07/18