Carmen McRae said once that Stevie Wonder is a genius, and I should add that his discography is the greatest proof that Carmen was not just giving her opinion, but actually describing a fact, a musical indisputable truth.

A great example of his Wonder-touch is Stevie Wonder´s Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants, usually cataloged as representing the B-side of his vast oeuvre, due to its extremely experimental nature. You may remember that I previously mentioned this album here, suggesting that it is the perfect soundtrack to enhace the healing energy of taking care of plants, but it is certainly much more than that.

The album would be classified today as conceptual. All tracks revolve round the subject brought to light by the controversial 1973 book The Secret Life of Plants, by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, which served as the basis for the homonymous 1979 documentary, directed by Walon Green.

The soundtrack, by Stevie Wonder, was released separately under a slightly modified title. In fact, the change was subtle, but it reinforces the independent character of the work in relation to the book and the documentary. Now, the journey is what matters. And what a ride!

The careful listener will be rewarded with an album with a unique atmosphere. With his genius touch, Stevie creates a dreamlike aura that makes any controversy seem unimportant, just as he would do again in the 1991 movie Jungle Fever, but this is another story.

Anyway, my journey to the journey of Stevie has to do with the fact that no matter where I live, there will be plants around me. No matter how big or small, how well or poorly lit the rooms are, I always manage to keep green spots on the house (and yes, I am very proud of it).

It was a matter of time until the book by Tompkins and Birdbook fell into my hands, but by then I still did not know about the soundtrack. As a matter of fact, I only became aware of it because of… another re-interpretation!

The song was Flower Power and it was part of the 1991 album Slow Food, from the Brazilian jazz group Nouvelle Cuisine. They also deserve a full text on their contribution to the transition from the colourful music scene of the late 1980s to the minimalist 1990s, but for now I can tell you that I was immediately hooked by the arrangement.

Ironically, it was the strong bossa nova influence that brought me to the Mr. Wonder. As you can see, flower power always finds a way.

Be seeing you!

G.F.