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Master Blaster (Jammin')

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"Master Blaster (Jammin')"
Single by Stevie Wonder
from the album Hotter than July
B-side
  • "Master Blaster (Instrumental)" (7")
  • "Master Blaster (Dub)" (12")
ReleasedSeptember 12, 1980
Recorded1980
GenreReggae
Length6:11 (12")
5:08 (Album)
4:49 (7")
LabelTamla
Songwriter(s)Stevie Wonder
Producer(s)Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder singles chronology
"Happy Birthday"
(1980) 		"Master Blaster (Jammin')"
(1980) 		"I Ain't Gonna Stand for It"
(1980)

"Master Blaster (Jammin)" is a 1980 single by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder from his 1980 album Hotter than July.

History

The song, built on a heavy reggae feel, is an ode to reggae legend Bob Marley; Wonder had been performing live with Marley (billing him as an opening act) on his US tour in the fall of that year. Lyrics mention "children of Jah", "Marley's Hot on the box" and the end of the civil war in Zimbabwe.

The song was the leading single from Wonder's Hotter than July album. It was a major hit, spending seven weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B singles chart, reaching number five on Billboard's pop singles chart in the fall of 1980[1] and peaking at number two on the UK Singles chart. The song includes the line "hotter than July", per the album title.

Personnel

  • Stevie Wonder - Vocals, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Organ, Background Vocals
  • Nathan Watts - Bass, Background Vocals
  • Benjamin Bridges - Guitar, Background Vocals
  • Dennis Davis - Drums
  • Earl DeRouen - Percussion, Background Vocals
  • Isaiah Sanders - Background Vocals, Pianet, Organ
  • Hank Redd – Saxophone
  • Larry Gittens – Trumpet
  • Rick Zunigar - Guitar
  • Background Vocals - Angela Winbush, Alexandra Brown Evans, Shirley Brewer, Marva Holcolm

Chart history

DJ Luck & MC Neat version

"Masterblaster 2000"
Single by DJ Luck & MC Neat feat. JJ
from the album It's All Good
Released1999 (as "On Da Street" on Red Rose EP)
May 2000 (single)
Recorded1999
GenreUK garage
LabelRed Rose Recordings
Songwriter(s)Stevie Wonder
Producer(s)DJ Luck
DJ Luck & MC Neat singles chronology
"A Little Bit of Luck"
(1999) 		"Masterblaster 2000"
(1999) 		"Ain't No Stoppin' Us"
(2000)

"Master Blaster (Jammin')" was covered by UK garage duo DJ Luck & MC Neat featuring singer JJ, initially titled as "On Da Street" which was released on the Red Rose EP in 1999. It was released the following year as a single and retitled as "Masterblaster 2000". This version was a Top 5 hit, peaking at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart.[12]

It samples the All-Star Remix of "No Diggity" by Blackstreet, which itself samples "As Long As I've Got You" by The Charmels.[13]

Charts

Chart (2000) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[14] 37
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 5
UK Dance (Official Charts Company)[16] 1

Other versions

A 1998 version with Wyclef Jean appears on the soundtrack to the film How Stella Got Her Groove Back. "Master Blaster (Jammin')" has also been covered by James Last (1981), Cheb Mami with Cornelius (2003, "Enfant d'Afrique), Jehro (2006) and Minnie Driver (2014).[17]

On 31 December 2014, Ed Sheeran covered this on the Jools Holland Hootenanny music show. Ed sang accompanied by Jools' Rhythm and Blue Orchestra.[18]

During the Stevie Wonder: Songs In the Key of Life – An All-Star Grammy Salute Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran performed a version of the song. The show aired on 16 February 2015 on CBS.[19]

References

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 636.
  2. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  3. ^ "Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 September 9.
  4. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Master Blaster". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  5. ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, December 13, 1980
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. {{cite book}}: |format= requires |url= (help)
  7. ^ http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3869
  8. ^ Swiss Year-End Charts, 1980
  9. ^ "Chart File". Record Mirror. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 21 March 1981. p. 37.
  10. ^ Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 27, 1980
  11. ^ Musicoutfitters.com
  12. ^ "DJ LUCK & MC NEAT". Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  13. ^ "Masterblaster 2000". WhoSampled. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  14. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  16. ^ "Official UK Dance Singles Chart (21 May 2000 - 27 May 2000)". Officialcharts.com.
  17. ^ "Master Blaster (Jammin')". WhoSampled. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  18. ^ "Ed Sheeran covers Stevie Wonder's 'Master Blaster' on 'Jools Holland'". WhoSampled. Retrieved 10 Jan 2015.
  19. ^ "Beyonce Delivers Powerhouse Stevie Wonder Tribute Medley". Article by Daniel Kreps for Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
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