Stevie Wonder's Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) might be the greatest r&b album of all time. The writing, arranging, singing, and playing are all at a level best described as unmatched. The album should be listened to as a suite (i.e. without interruption), and taken as a model for anyone involved in music - including listeners. The album (as the title suggests) is a sort of culmination of the years of work that preceded it - especially his time spent with the musicians of the Motown studio band known as The Funk Brothers. The influence of these musicians, and particularly the genius bassist, James Jamerson, can be heard throughout this record. I think it's clear that the record was intended, partially at least, as a tribute, and that's why Jamerson appears on only one track, "Too Shy to Say". (For a more representative example of Jamerson's work with Wonder, listen to "Hello, Young Lovers" on Ma Cherie Amour from 1969.) I'll be writing more on both of these giants in posts to come.