Stevie Wonder - Contusion

[irishbug14]

I always loved this "filler" track; very jazz fusion, and coming up after the classically influenced Village Ghetto Land, and before the jazzy R&B of Sir Duke...man, this album had EVERYTHING, didn't it?! Like the White Album or something. Everybody has something to love.

[MrSwagg380]

wow

\]



[FaceBookScrabbleGuy]

Nathan WATTS, not East!



[UBZUKI]

Hear Nathan East tear that bass up....awesome.

[UBZUKI]

seriously good music....

[Soulhead1981]

A magical song from a magical album. great post ;)

[laetitiaisma]

LONG LIFE TO REAL MUSIC !

[mmking9999]

Awesome!

[avdreader1]

This is my favorite Stevie Wonder song!

[swimmerB0B]

kind of reminds me of lalo schifrin's music...

[Redflowers9]

Sounds like I just put some money in the weird booth. O_o

[gvatech]

I love Songs in The Key of Life!! Thanks for posting!

[pgraceful]

hawt, hawt, hawt...sppin on gin and juice....this is sicckkk...thank u Daddy for puttin me on to this at 3....johnnidwalker...tks for sharing darlin...smdh...

[DaeAhzae]

Timeless funky super badd ass

classic!

[ftlotmusic]

@DaeAhzae just to know that 2 weeks ago people are still loving this is proof enough xx

[chucku00]

"One Day" by Fishbone owes a thing or two on this instrumental !

[MichaelGrah]

@chucku00 Dude! too fucking right

[samumanu1]

Amazing !!!!!!! I love this album

[carrier3232]

Best "cruising on Highway 1 PCH" in a Porshe music!

[zeno300]

omfng!!! first time i ever heard this song and also first time i put "omfng" sorry god but stevie is madness!!!

[NeoEspiritus]

@zeno300 hahaha. well said. The first time I heard it was on sax player Najee's album. he basically covers the entire songs in the key of life album.

[cordfluidnevoie]

@zeno300 omfng? wut? ROFL

[yhenderson67]

wow!! takes me back :)

[ladyreese2002]

Stevie Wonder = Music Genius

[pngaia]

Shades of Chick Corea's "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy", with guitarist Bill Connors.

[RheanKing]

The first time I heard this song it was performed at my school by a group Reggie Thomas put together. I thought I was high when I heard this. It has a euphoric effect on my brain.

[Redflowers9]

@RheanKing it makes me feel like I have an infinite supply of energy.

[luizoliveiraguitar]

WOW!! Stevie Wonder is the best ! Amazing music - I knew it through greg howe´s version - but this is insanely - amazing!!!

[gebass6]

Stevie had to dip his toe into the Jazz/Rock Fusion movement of the mid seventies.My cousin had this album. And when he played it,I was attracted to this tune out of all because I was a FusionHead!!!Even Greg Howe played a version of this tune.

[summersbr1]

Back in the day this was often referred to as a staightup "Jam Session".....no words or lyrics, just grab your instrument and play your ass off. Great stuff

[mrhyde4817]

@VanGaore-no this sounds more like Chic Corea and maybe a little Todd Rundgren.

[mrhyde4817]

@VanGaore-no this sounds more like Chic Corea.

[MrGooie]

gotta add this to my Stevie Wonderful List

[fredblassie123]

Sembello and Watts are just off the hook!!!!

[timmy841212]

Hearing its back story of how this song came to be makes me appreciate the song more. Out of tragedy comes genius. :) Go 'head Stevie!!!

[VanGaore]

Whoa, this almost sounds like Yes! I love Stevie Wonder so much, but I didn't even know his style was this diverse!

[stevehawkins1on1]

Raymond Pounds , Them drums are awesome!! Sheesh!!

[Soulman785]

@stevehawkins1on1 - Yes indeed! Those drums are right on time! Way to go Raymond Pounds....

[BistouflyTheGreat]

Nathan Watts is the man! He's so groovy, I love it!!

[arwurth]

if you stare at the album cover it looks like it is coming towards you...

[lampshade429]

Michael Sembello is my boy

[JeffK1980]

This type of music heard here has a little bit of the early 1970's Yes roots

[SupperOfTheMightyOne]

@JeffK1980

Holy crap, it is.

Cool insight.

[port2344chester]

WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME...GIFT FROM THE LORD .. STEVIE WONDER.. we love you BIG TIME... TIMELESS TRAX....its amazin how the lord works.. Stevies not able to witness/see thru the same window as those who are able..yet his vision within moves mountains runs laps around those who are able to see..@johnniewalker23... U ROCK BIG TIME BRU..keep em comin..Peace & 1LOVE..Port!

[RamonaFromPomona]

@port2344chester I have this gem of an album. Thanks for sharing. Love and Happiness.

[porcuspine]

Who is the bassist?!!! Absurd Groove!!!!!!!!!!

[mastashaker916]

@porcuspine

Nathan Watts.

[feelthehorror]

Keyboards - Greg Philliganes

He was also the keyboardist for some of Michael Jackson's tours ..

[stepsmusic]

perry tonta

[Kbsantangelo]

i wish this was 1 of those tracks that's 8 minutes long

[oxymento]

Love my D....love my mitten. Detroit till I die.

[daehan2k9]

im not that old at all, and definitely was not around when this came out. but i grew up on this music due to my mother. and in hearing this, i HATE most of the stuff on the radio these days. like this is pure genius. this man was FAR AHEAD OF HIS TIMES!!! i wish i was alive in the 70's just for the music cuz it was HOT.

[KaptanSolo]

Michael Sembello on guitar

[NikkiPooh2187]

whoever disliked this is just musically retarded!!!! DO YOU NOT HEAR ALL THIS AMAZING INSTRUMENTATION???? you can't fins stuff like this ANYWHERE anymore...uggghhh I wish those days wud come back once more...why did THIS MUSIC ever have to go...

[lukefonfabre26]

@NikkiPooh2187 EXACTLY

[emmettk]

Does this jam or what??

[kalimeros18]

awesome.. and recorded the year i was born... makes it even more a personal favourite

[dkr1963]

i love this ...i mean i really love this and i have heard a million times...never gets old

[HookedOnSonics518]

One of the best jam sessions I've ever heard

[bassmanjoe]

4 dislikes??????????????????????­???

[firstchoice1956]

I played this at a Party in Minneapolis when it first came out and blew evryones mind!

[jameskuhnel]

one word.... awsome

[jameskuhnel]

one word.... awsome

[bongoloid77]

badass stevie wit da doo doo backing

[Dy880]

You have to be either high or a pure genius to write something like this. Stevie is for sure the latter. If this doesn't inspire you to do something creative today, then you aren't human

[utopiandesign]

@Dy880 Amen bro! But it was a combo: one always leads to the other. Some call it sin and some call it enlightenment. The point is, know your boundaries and don't cross those dangerous ones.

[DaeCapC]

come see the fan made music video of Stevie Wonder - Contusion at my page. drop a comment.

[JonP1961]

The most progressive tune on the album, possibly in his entire catalog.

Top-Shelf Fusion!

[CavenEdwards]

now thats what I'm Talking about. Stevie wonder is a genius. A musical phenomenon, and although he gets major respect and recognition for his R&B and pop hits that feature vocals, I feel he really shines on his instrumental compositions. He is an all around fully developed musician. He has superb song writing abilities as well as arranging abilities and technical abilities. Their aren't to many who display all these qualities wrapped into one. Stevie wonder is a truly special artist.

[dogshit71]

killer bassline!

[samkwiek]

fuck your mother if you prefered lady gaga or kanye west instead of this and fuck all that crap that is playing today this is music!!!

[KaptanSolo]

Michael Sembello on guitar...as I seem to remember in the album credits

love this song

[amikic1]

droga, jarane, za tebe< evo je

[bennettdrew]

Only heavy weights need apply to play on this album.

[ariespow]

I often wished I was in the studio when they was doing this jam.

[UBZUKI]

@ariespow

you know that....

[bigben1986]

This song i had in my cd changer for almost 5 yrs. it used to replay so many times, it's crazy, but i love it.

[11CGOD11]

funkay.

[dcbandnerd]

If I ever get my own show, no matter what it is; THIS is the theme song.

[UBZUKI]

@dcbandnerd

i HEAR THAT...

[kookoo78]

@dcbandnerd I was thinking the same thing when I heard it

[m7a7b725]

Rock, funk and jazz all roll up in one!! Stevie Wonder has done it again! I love this song to death!!! Well done, bro!!!!

[UBZUKI]

@m7a7b725

QUALITY...MUSICIANSHIP....AWES­OME....TIMELESS

[Memyai]

This cut reminds me of California where I grew up! I just Stevie's cool-hip side, he is truly a Wonder!

[MrIVan804]

LE meilleur avec toi , donnes moi , la culotte de pouvoir jouez avec toi !.....I.Van.C.

[MrIVan804]

JE SERAI TOUJOURS

[sickVoDKa]

This needs to be on The Weather Channel

[JimRagan1967]

@sickVoDKa I agree totally-need this tune when they have their "Local on the 8's"

[MrHill3000]

@sickVoDKa They have played this on The Weather Channel

[thagodfather007]

never gets old :)

[surrealillness]

today all we have is Akon :(

[mrjaycek10]

1: 10 it reminds me of "The Ikon" from Todd Rundgrens first Utopia first album!

[JonP1961]

@mrjaycek10

Good ear!

[RadioheadaphexZappa]

go listen to ''banana seat girl'' by venetian snares if you are curious. its a song made with samples from this nice tune.

[beaverdctor]

this song would be perfect for a video game XD!

[Hateblade]

Actually, it reminds me MUCH of the acoustic jazz versions of the Chrono Trigger soundtrack, Brink of Time. look it up, it's great.

[maciste1990]

Non so perchè mi da un son so che di Giant Steps! Però veramente bella...

[benjaminisfun]

God YES! it's like snes with finesse

[animal90sFreak5]

Great instrumental,almost forgot about this one.

[JimRagan1967]

Love this song! For some reason, the sounds up until about thirty seconds into the song make me think about watching an old "CHiPS" episode from the 70's with Ponch and Jon driving their motorcycles on one of the Southern California Freeways.

[eamonosu]

its good but so un-stevie. it sounds more like return to forever or weather report, i guess he just wanted to do one like them

[TokenRah]

I always wondered that myself when I got this album some years ago back in high school. I bet if he made a fusion album it would be amazing!

[necrid86]

yeah definitely feels like return to forever. jazz fusion stuff

[deepislandboy]

@necrid86 yea, i thought so to, it might have to do with the fact that Michael Sembello recorded with stanley clarke who played bass in RTF

[necrid86]

@deepislandboy interesting. thanks

[chucku00]

@eamonosu This title is about his car crash where he was injured and lost his sense of smell... so please don't say it's un-Stevie cuz' it was a part of his life.

Peace.

[doc2lovebar]

Cant believe i found this sound after overlooking the title a hundred times...I use to Box. I trained to this sound..Hitting the speed while listening to this song is the best thing you can do!

[furankybo]

heres a cool fact, stevies guitarist for this track was micheal sembello, if your asking yourself whos that?, he sung the track maniac for flashdance, still dont know?, think of the 118 118 tune :D haha

[tfcncine]

Oh God, Stevie as a real Jazz musician! Why didn't he make more jazz!!!! I agree: Jeff Beck, Brand X, etc... Great stuff!

[steve53847]

Stevie really puts drug enhanced music creation to shame. The clarity of his mind is like a starburst of energy. I love him so!

[eamonosu]

steve 53847, dont assume stevie is whiter than white, you sure he never even puffed on a joint or took any other form of drug?? id be surprised if he had'nt

[steve53847]

I'd be surprised if he hadn't too, but what I was refering to was Stevie's eternal love of music being its own motive for creating so much great work.

[TokenRah]

He probably did a lot of drugs during this era. They all did.

[Sybenett]

The certified genius strikes again with tonighit's rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Always ready, always Stevie.

Sy-

[TokenRah]

Where are you guys hating? You don't think blind people do drugs? Hello? Ray Charles anyone?

[xxAtlantianKnightxx]

:-)

[trh2130]

Influenced by Miles Davis

[kevhead66]

good stoner, Jeff Beck-ish sounding tune

[JacRab25]

EVERYTHING stevie makes is right. don't care what it is. it's right. trust me.

[eutuxiaMJ]

yeah!

[eutuxiaMJ]

this song makes me wild!go Stevie!!

[angelenough]

Judging from listening to this video, let me tell you what music is: STEVIE WONDER!

[Aztech355]

My fav Stevie wonder song, I remember I use to listen to this for hours lol.

[29thseason]

go stevie go!

[musoid]

Pretty sure Sembello had a big hand in writing at least that chorus melody, it's totally his vibe.

[andy42x]

what's all of this steely dan versus stevie talk?  they're both great in their own unique way.

[CheFonz]

OMG.. I USE TO WALK TO SCHOOL TO THIS SONG.. (no! im only 23! ... lol...) This was one of my fav Stevie Wonder Songs!

[insaneguitarfreak]

that´s cool^^ have you listened to Greg Howe+Ritchie Kotzen version?¿?¿?

It´s in the album tilt. I can send it to you if you want, it´s really cool too!

[famceo23]

amen that joint is sicker than cancer in a plastic baggy

[eutuxiaMJ]

i love this song!!

[chucku00]

Kobaian Stevie !

[Suuperman5461]

this white boy loves this album.

[drumsticks135]

ha true that

[mikecockrell]

Stevie Wonder had more depth to him than steely Dan....Wonder gets everyone to listen while Dan has a select group....

[hderms2]

i cant believe you compared that trash steely dan to stevie wonder

[mandrew81]

wait just a god**** second here..steely dan is far from trash, as a matter of fact i would put some of their stuff ahead of stevie, sorry.

[KMatteKudasaiC]

steely dan wrote sum deadly tunes.. dont hate

[carcove]

The break at 1:10

[digga2k6]

I loved the album so much, I named my daughter Aja, no kidding

[andy42x]

Aja drum solo at the end of the song = RULES

[digga2k6]

It is sick!!!! I admit

[candelise]

@andy42x Considering that this was played LONG BEFORE the 'Aja' drum solo, your sense of history is a little off.

[XxowendanxX]

the drumming reminds me of "Peg", by Steely Dan

[digga2k6]

I love Steely Dan, but you are out your damn mind

[XxowendanxX]

what's up, my digga? No I'm not out of my mind, it's a matter of musical taste. Not everyone has to like what you like. Let's all just agree that this is a great song and the whole album is good.

[digga2k6]

This is true. I love this song and album. As a matter of true fact SD's "Aja" album and SW's "SITKOL" are my favorite albums of all time

[XxowendanxX]

my boy has a real, old-fashioned stereo system from the '70s with records and a turntable and an Onkyo receiver and broke this album out the other night...it's like his favorite album...he hates "Contusion" I told him to play it cos I hadn't heard it in like 30 years. The title cut from "Aja" takes me back 30 years, it's awesome

[XxowendanxX]

this is the best track on the album, IMHO. It's reminiscent of Steely Dan, especially the drums. The guitaring sounds a little bit like Greg Allman or even Carlos Santana. I could listen to this all day.

[mmjaljs]

The song reminds of Stevie Wonder's diversification and genius! Nothing taken away from the artist U mentioned, but he was out before most of the artist U mentioned....Stay Up Playa!

[XxowendanxX]

that's a dumb thing to say "who was out first", idk...plus Stevie is only probably playing keyboards on this song he's not drumming nor playing the guitar. idk about this record being "ahead of it's time", it's kind of a '70s jazz fusion vibe to it. Let's not get carried away.

[mmjaljs]

Actually I struck a serious nerve thing with you. The truth is a trip isn't it! I like steely dan, but Mr. Wonder sounds and never did song like them Period!!!!! Partna.

[JamesWhistleJr]

this record was so far ahead of its time, you could hard tell it was made well over 30 years ago!

[Tigerblade2008]

I remember buying this album when it was released (I'ved bought it many times since in other formats) and was brought to tears as I listened to every song...Been a die-hard fan of Stevie since "Where I'm Coming From..."

[Schattenjager83]

This song was definitely inspired by Jeff Beck's work, on which Stevie collaborated years before. It definitely has a jazz fusion vibe.

This album has SO MANY different vibes, it's incredible, one of the VERY best!

[bhav213]

is stevie on guitar?

[ltinsley2]

naa, it's Michael Sembello. George Benson's on the album also, but I don't think he played on "contusion."

[steveiouk]

Love this kind of stuff. Really reminds me of level 42 funky stuff ish :)

[bourgeoisbrats]

Chick Corea and RTF (Return To Forever) is a closer match. Listen to the "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy" album, which came out in 1973, 3 years before SITKOL.

[cecilalston]

I must correct u with no disrespect intended but greg phillinganes is the keyboardist and i think mike simbello is the guitarist...

[darganx]

The group is Wonder Love - Narada Micheal Walden (drums), Greg Phillinganes (Guitar), Deneice Williams (backing vocals) - correct me if details are out of whack.

[ltinsley2]

Herbie Hancock was on this one too. Fender Rhodes/keyboards.

[grimdoggie2003]

Phillinganes was a keyboardist.  Wonderlove also had Ray Pounds on drums along with NMW (when Stevie didn't play drums himself). Background vocalists were: Deniece Williams, Minnie Riperton, Marietta Waters. Singing background on "Contusion" were: Michael Gray, Josie James, Shirley Brewer, & Artece May

[magicalochild]

No one can come close to him !

[ltinsley2]

no doubt! he's the greatest artist of all time, PERIOD!!!

[josepk558]

wooooooww very very cool song woooow stevie wonder is cool

yeaaaaaaaaa

[daniel55645]

why would you name a song contusion, like calling it a bruise, thats not a good thing

[stivelande]

This is a reference to stevie's car accident.

[angelenough]

This sounds like a jazzy, funky tune by Stevie. I love it!

[paulnaylor]

There's a vid on here somehwere of Stevie playing I wish on Ellen's show earlier this month, and they start out with part of this song. It was really surprising and incredible, everybody in the band looks like they're having the best time.

Se