Stevie Wonder – Hotter Than July

Stevie found himself partially retreating to his pop-friendly "safe zone" on this 1980 release after the mixed reception of his most ambitious recording project at the time (and still is today): 1979's 'Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants' soundtrack. Looking back, 'Hotter Than July' served as a fitting bookend to Stevie's unprecedented recording hot streak during the '70s decade with some obvious standout tracks like the hit singles "All I Do", "I Ain't Gonna Stand For It", "Master Blaster (Jammin')", "Lately", and "Happy Birthday" (MLK tribute) as well as his now-classic sleeper ballad "Rocket Love". Compared to his previous work, however, one can't help but feel as if the man was holding back a bit artistically for the sake of not completely alienating his commercial fan base. On the other hand, this album still remains a certified gem in the '80s Pop/R&B/Soul realm in addition to being one of the first studio LPs to be fully recorded in digital format. No serious Stevie Wonder collection should be without this one, highly recommended!
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Hmmmm, this is not one of Stevies best recorded albums and this is a bright mastering to boot. Mofi havent done their well known low end boosting perhaps to the pressings detriment. Compared to the 2017 which has more bass but with an unwelcome lumpy midbass and higher volume, once matched this does at least try abit more to come closer to the original UK ive got. But the enjoyment of this press is going to come down to taste and needle quality. Another review complains of sibilance.... with my AT95ML which is a neutral if slightly lean and colourless transducer (for better or worse) this has no sibilance but it has a very lean sound with a very crisp upper. With my olde Shure M75ii some welcome flesh and colour comes back but the top end is a harsh mess as the old bonded elliptical just cant handle the grooves, especially at the inners. I reckon a Naga MP500 or Rega ND5 or Hana SL would suit the press perfectly!

As mentioned, the 2017 cut is more rolled off and more midbass boosted so works better across most basic profiles and less refined setups but it has its own issues with that lumpiness and the top being abit dullish if safe. On balance my UK OG is probably best but its noisy. I definately feel this is one album that could do with old smoothy Bernie Grundmans magic touch to retain the details, expand the stage but make the top end silky all while not having to go mad on the mid bass controls!
The dream remains an AP Stevie reissue series with Bernie at the helm!!

This has been repressed and i found out by accident. I hadnt added this release to my Dcogs when i bought one yrs ago so i just bought one thinking i didnt have one already. The copy that turned up has the catno and barcodes as per this release but the runouts are not Record Industry style but very clearly GZ Media. This newer vinyl has come with alot of hairlines not helped by a coarse printed inner and some groove stitching defects to boot. Not impressed with the quality of the vinyl at all but thats GZ Media i guess. Now that ive found my Record Industry pressed variant the record is defect and scratch free and all the more enjoyable for it. That being said this mastering is not in any way outstanding. Its able and theres no nasties but if there is master tape in good shape somewhere it would be worth giving to Bernie G or Kevin G and seeing gow good we can make this album sound!

US mastering (great bass, warm mids) pressed on high quality Japanese vinyl, a fantastic combination. Well worth picking up given how reasonably priced copies are.

Shit bangs, and you know that, don’t you bud hmmmmm

Stunning - like the record should to have sounded 37 years ago

Great album from Stevie. Nice sounding pressing. Next era Stevie right here.

Sadly, I do not like the sound of this. It's terribly bright. So much so that I had to crank down the treble and actually engage my 'loudness' feature on my amp. After it sounds better, but this just doesn't sound like a typical JP 'flat' transfer. I guess I'll give the 2014 RM a shot.

The sound is good? Yes, but nothing that surprises you. It has a wide soundstage. But I will add that on some tracks I felt some shine and some fatigue. In general, I do recommend it. Obviously it is not an audiophile record, and certainly I do not recommend paying the high sums they ask for this version. I paid $60 for a NM (including shipping to Peru), which I think is fair. I wouldn't pay much more.

Great Album and also Sounds very good.
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