Brief
Stevie Wonder unveils four unheard tracks from 1976 classic sessions
The legendary artist has added four new songs to the legacy of his landmark 1976 double album, coinciding with a forthcoming arena tour.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Stevie Wonder has issued a new EP of four previously unheard tracks recorded during the sessions for his 1976 double album Songs in the Key of Life. The release, timed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the album, comes as Wonder prepares to perform the full record on a new arena tour that starts on 13 October in Birmingham, UK.
In a statement, Wonder said, "We’ve lived with Songs in the Key of Life for 50 years, but there’s still more to hear…They bring me back to that time in my life, and now they get to become part of yours." The EP, also titled Songs in the Key of Life, features four tracks: "It’s Easier", a bossa‑nova‑esque number; "My Life Story of Love", co‑written with former Supremes member Susaye Greene; "I Can See the Sun in Late December", a slow jazz ballad; and "I’m Into Livin’", a funk track that sees Wonder renouncing past excesses.
All four songs were written and produced by Wonder, with the original recording and mixing engineers John Fischbach and Gary O Adante recently mixing them for release. Backing vocalists on "I’m Into Livin’" include Thelma Houston, Deniece Williams and Shirley Brewer.
The EP arrives alongside Wonder’s announcement that he will play the full Songs in the Key of Life album on a 20‑city arena tour across the UK, Europe and the US. The tour will visit Birmingham, London, Manchester, Glasgow, New York City, Chicago, Washington DC, Detroit and Los Angeles.
Key facts
- Stevie Wonder released a new EP of four previously unreleased songs from the 1976 album (theguardian.com)
- The EP is titled Songs in the Key of Life (theguardian.com)
- The release coincides with the 50th anniversary of the original album (theguardian.com)
- Wonder will tour 20 cities performing the full album (theguardian.com)
Background
The original 1976 double album won Album of the Year at the Grammys and remains Wonder’s most celebrated work.
Why it matters
The release adds new material to a landmark album and supports a major arena tour.
What happens next
Wonder will begin his arena tour on 13 October in Birmingham, UK.
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Stevie Wonder releases four unheard songs from Songs in the Key of Life sessions”
