Rocks In The Attic #88: Stevie Wonder - ‘Music Of My Mind’ (1972)

The first of Stevie’s classic period, this is actually the second album where he was given full artistic freedom. There’s still a feel of him regarded as a Motown novelty on the album before this, Where I’m Coming From, but on Music Of My Mind you can start to hear him branching out.

This album doesn’t have any of the big hits that his follow-up albums have, so it always tends to get overlooked. It arguably has the best cover of any of his classis albums - a close up photograph of Stevie wearing mirrored Aviators, with a couple of random images in the reflection of each glass. Unfortunately, some of the covers of his later, more well-renowned albums have dated quite badly - (and obviously he isn’t responsible for that aspect of his career).

Hit: Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)

Hidden Gem: I Love Every Thing About You

Rocks In The Attic #59: Jr. Walker & The All Stars - ‘Greatest Hits’ (1969)

Another one of my Dad’s (I think). This one’s a Tamla Motown record, and features the singles of Jr. Walker & The All Stars - a very overlooked artist in the Motown canon - released between 1965 and 1969.

It’s incredible how well known their debut single Shotgun is. It’s one of those soul songs you’ve heard a million times, in films and television especially, but you might not know who performs it. Many of the songs are driven by Walker’s saxophone, but there’s something very Steve Cropper about guitarist Willie Woods, and his licks are as funky as anything.

Hit: Shotgun

Hidden Gem: Cleo’s Mood