Stevie Wonder – Original Musiquarium I (Vinyl 2LP)

One of the most underrated singles in Stevie Wonder’s history was sitting proudly at No. 1 on the R&B chart on February 20, 1982. “That Girl” would also serve as one of the four new songs on his double-vinyl compilation, The Original Musiquarium 1. The rolling, mid-paced number, characterized by excellent instrumentation and Stevie’s distinctive harmonica solo, took over at the soul summit from Skyy’s “Call Me.” It stayed there for a mighty nine weeks, to become the longest-running soul chart-topper Stevie has ever had, beating even the seven-week run of “Masterblaster (Jammin’)” in 1980.

The track was a taster for the retrospective set that followed in May of 1982. Even if Musiquarium was largely made up of existing hits from Stevie’s 1970s catalogue, the gatefold album was irresistible to his fans as each of the four sides finished with a new song. In addition to “That Girl,” there was “Front Line,” co-written with collaborator (and “The Crown” hitmaker on Motown) Gary Byrd; the gorgeous ballad “Ribbon In The Sky” and the infectious, upbeat “Do I Do,” featuring the great Dizzy Gillespie. These took their place alongside such classics as “Superstition,” “Living For The City,” “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and “Sir Duke.”

LP1

1. Superstition
2. You Haven’t Done Nothin’
3. Living For The City
4. Front Line
5. Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)
6. Send One Your Love
7. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
8. Ribbon In The Sky

LP2

1. Higher Ground
2. Sir Duke
3. Master Blaster (Jammin’)
4. Boogie On Reggae Woman
5. That Girl
6. I Wish
7. Isn’t She Lovely
8. Do I Do