This LP became a major breakthrough for the young Stevie Wonder. An alternate edit of the opener "Fingertips" was released as a single and topped both Bilboard pop and r&b lists, while the album itself went to no. one on Billboard 200 and r&b albums. Recorded June 1962 in Chicago and produced by Berry Gordy. It is an amazing soul appearance by a 12 year old, handeling vocals, harmonca and some bongos. Apart from the pre-teen voice it's so mature - he's got presence, prosody and power and owns the stage and public. I became a Motown fan some years after this and for decades didn't care much about it, instead caught by his later work and the labels other marvels. Today I'm liking it for mentioned reasons, but above all the audio - big, open and natural. In front of a good equipment just close your eyes and with some imagination you're sent back to Regal Theater in Chicago summer 1962. Early mono release in UK on Oriole (PS 40050), also re-issued world wide from the seventies and on - some as original mono and some in fake stereo. I guess this is an early US press with label as shown here, thick unflexible vinyl and thick laminated cover. (TÖMÖ*)(LYBÖ*)(FÖGÄ*) (YZÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*)
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