from the LP Hotter Than July, Motown Records, 1980My love for Stevie’s music is unending, and although my personal taste trends more towards his chunky jazz-funk records from the early – mid ‘70s, pretty much anything this man has ever touched will get left alone if it comes on the radio in my home/car; his voice is like the best incense, getting deep into your mind & body, awakening the nerves from the top of your scalp to the soles of your feet. He had originally written this song for Motown back in the mid ‘60s, and it was even recorded (albeit, shelved and not released until recently) by Tammi Terrell at that time, but this version is far superior, soulful disco-funk at its very best. Those aren’t just some random studio hangers-on singing during the chorus either, as Stevie got melodic backing here from members of the O’Jays, the Gap Band, & none other than Michal Jackson; the Cleptomaniacs did a stellar house remix of this track which got heavy play in 2000. He gives us one of the best examples of that inimitable “Stevie stank” right around 2:42, delivered in such hardcore fashion one almost can’t decipher it (my guess is, “…gotta tell ya girl…”)!
