Signing on with Motown’s Tamla label at only eleven years old in 1961, Stevie Wonder would go on to become one of the world’s most beloved songwriters.
Extraordinarily talented, Wonder was what can only be called a child prodigy, having already written his own songs before turning thirteen years old. Releasing his debut album, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie, at twelve years old in 1962, by the time he was thirteen in 1963, he had a hit with the song “Fingertips.” The youngest artist ever to have a hit single, interestingly, Little Peggy March (the youngest female ever to strike a hit), also did so in 1963 with her song “I Will Follow.”
In truth, this was only the beginning for Stevie Wonder. With three studio albums already under his belt by the time he was fifteen years old in 1965, his talents were too big to contain, and his own original co-penned “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” would become a hit. From here, it would be decades of exceptional music from Wonder that combined a hopeful tone with one full of social awareness, as heard on albums such as 1973’s Innervisions.
All together, Wonder has amassed ten US number-one hits and twenty R&B number-one hits and sold over one hundred million records, over nineteen million of which are albums. Making him one of the most successful artists ever, one can draw up a Stevie Wonder greatest hits collection in their sleep. In fact, there have been a total of eleven official greatest hits compilations, plus the 2005 Stevie Wonder box set, released in recognition of his accomplishments.
Offering listeners many options to grab ultimate Stevie Wonder hits collections, Stevie Wonder: The Definitive Collection arrived in 2002 through Motown/Universal, ironically becoming his best-selling album directly behind 1976’s legendary Songs In The Key of Life. Peaking at 35 in the US Billboard 200 charts, it was one of several Greatest Hits collections released by iconic artists in 2002, including Elvis Presley’s ELV1S: 30 No. 1 Hits and Elton John’s Greatest Hits 1970–2002.
Complying the major hits in Stevie Wonder’s career to that point, what stands out about Stevie Wonder: The Definitive Collection compared to other compilations is the impeccable sound quality, thanks to remastering. Originally released on CD (or as a cassette in several countries), sadly, it never was pressed to vinyl. However, over two decades later, vinyl has won out as the most popular physical format option, and as a result, Stevie Wonder: The Definitive Collection is now available in medium.
Released on December 6, 2024, through Universal Music, Stevie Wonder: The Definitive Collection is offered as a two-LP set, pressed to high-quality 180-gram vinyl, and featuring the original US release artwork. Presented in a lovely gatefold package, you receive the original twenty-one tracks included on the original release, including all-time favorites like “For Once In My Life,” “My, Cherie Amour,” “Superstition,” “Higher Ground,” and “Part-Time Lover.”
Furthermore, Stevie Wonder: The Definitive Collection has been remastered for this vinyl release, and honestly, the songs sound as rich and full as ever. This is complemented by rare photos from the Motown Archives, plus full track-by-track annotations and a very well-written essay by Scott Regen (a Detroit DJ who became a Motown staff writer and producer and who wrote the liner notes to Wonder’s first Greatest Hits album in 1968).
All are constructed fantastically with really solid packaging, but those looking for more can pick up an exclusive color vinyl edition at Amazon. There is also a limited edition version with high-gloss packaging, a limited-edition photo print, and an additional exclusive Braille message from Stevie Wonder. Beyond this, Complex.com followers have the option to collect their own exclusive edition, featuring an alternate cover and Tamla yellow vinyl; plus, there is an 11-track, 1LP color vinyl version available exclusively through Walmart.
So, which version do you want? That is up to the individual, but it is highly recommended to pick up either the standard 2LP or the limited edition to get the maximum number of songs possible. Overall, the newly released Stevie Wonder: The Definitive Collection on vinyl is the perfect way to honor and encapsulate the music of this talented artist. The perfect Holiday gift for any music lover, Cryptic Rock gives Stevie Wonder: The Definitive Collection 5 out of 5 stars.
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