Wonder-Ful Sounds ‘Conversation Peace’ A Mix Of Several Styles Of Music That Are Undeniably Wonder

Stevie Wonder “Conversation Peace” (Motown)

“There’s no chance of world salvation ‘less the conversation’s peace.” - Stevie Wonder

The moment the first notes of “Rain Your Love Down,” the lead song on “Conversation Peace,” reach your ears, there’s an instant recognition. There’s no mistaking the sinewy and sinuous keyboard chord progressions and bright melodies loaded with hooks.

Stevie Wonder is back.

It’s been eight years since his last studio album, 1987’s “Characters.” Only 1991’s “Jungle Fever” soundtrack has broken the silence. And while Wonder has been out of the musical spotlight much of this time, it’s obvious he has kept his ears close to the ground musically.

“Conversation Peace,” out this week on Motown, offers a Wonderful mix of soul, funk, rock, gospel and jazz, with hints of reggae and hiphop. It’s typical of Wonder to embrace a myriad of influences and build on them. So it should come as no surprise that this album is so diverse and fresh-sounding, yet so undeniably Stevie Wonder.

So many of today’s hot pop acts - Babyface, Boyz II Men and others learned more than a few lessons at Wonder’s feet. This set reminds us the master still has a few more lessons to teach.

Wonder, 44, is one of American popular music’s most gifted artists. Just one of his gorgeous melodies has more hooks and ideas packed into it than many writers can manage in an entire album.

Lyrically, Wonder’s latest addresses now-familiar themes associated with his work - how love can conquer all, that goodness can overcome evil, that one person can make a difference in another’s life. His belief that through one act of kindness we can transform others and ourselves, and in the bigger picture, society itself, is a powerful theme here as well.

That balance of social commentary and faith that things can be better shows in the songs’ structures - earnest lyrics that can be serious and downbeat often are teamed with melodies that lift the spirit. Wonder is not one to leave his listener in despair; rather, he seeks to make us aware of these concerns and then urges us to take the compassionate and spiritual high road.

“Take the Time Out” (with the South African chorus Ladysmith Black Mambazo) illustrates this well, with verses laying out grim realities of urban life underscored by urgent, almost abrupt funk that segues to an upbeat gospel fervor as Wonder’s urging tone pleads for us to do the right thing.

That same tone appears on “My Love Is with You,” with its “ban the handgun” chant. “I’m New” (with Take 6 and Deniece Williams) is about the transformative power of love - spiritual and romantic.

He delivers his homilies with the fervor of a preacher, but he never lapses into anything resembling selfrighteousness. Wonder is a teacher who believes his good intentions and goals are shared by all of us.

Few have Wonder’s way with a love song. The current single, “For Your Love,” is another of his creamy, romantic ballads. “Taboo to Love” is silky and dreamy.

“Sensuous Whisper” is a stunning jazzy-pop charmer with singer Anita Baker, saxophonist Branford Marsalis and trumpeter Terence Blanchard. And “Cold Chill” opens with a Prince-ly instrumental riff (a remix of the tune will feature ol’ symbol man himself).

The album’s high point is its closer, the title song. Joined by the fabulous Sounds of Blackness, the song speaks of unity and peace in the family and, by extension, society at large. In Wonder’s compelling vocal and the praise-powered Sounds of Blackness, it becomes a song of fiery power and hope.

With its abundance of guest artists and highly polished sheen, “Conversation Peace” seems designed to get Wonder back where he belongs: on top of the charts.

It’s not a groundbreaker like “Innervisions” or “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” were in the ‘70s, but “Peace” is a top-of-form collection of tunes that should accomplish its goal - reminding people that Wonder is a superlative recording artist of today who should not be viewed solely in terms of past accomplishments. His time has not yet passed.