Stevie Wonder Music:

Hotter Than July Track Listing:
1. Did I Hear You Say You Love Me
2. All I Do
3. Rocket Love
4. I Ain't Gonna Stand for It
5. As if You Read My Mind
6. Master Blaster (Jammin')
7. Do Like You
8. Cash in Your Face
9. Lately
10. Happy Birthday

Editorial Review:
Not as great as Innervisions (what is?), but quite probably better than Fulfillingness' First Finale, Hotter Than July is the last of the string of classic albums that included those milestones. While going for big statements only a couple of times during its 46 minutes--the celebratory reggae rocker "Master Blaster (Jammin')" and the Martin Luther King Jr. tribute "Happy Birthday"--the disc shows off a lot more than the expected high-level craftsmanship. Like humor: "I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" merges an affectionate burlesque of country music ("Somebody's been rubbin' on my good-luck charm," he sings of a two-timing girlfriend) with a funk backbeat. And humanity: "Do Like You" celebrates family ties in an especially nice way, while "Rocket Love" and "All I Do" are among Wonder's most underappreciated love songs. This is worth buying for the deathless "Master Blaster" alone, but after you do, you'll be glad you own it all. --Rickey Wright

Hotter Than July Reviews:
Great Way to End a Decade of Excellence!
2009-10-07 - It was on the 1970 release "Signed, Sealed, Delievered" that Stevie was able to have more imput on where his music was going. The 70's saw him release what, in my opinion, was the most incredible string of albums and music that's ever been seen. Only Earth, Wind & Fire to me had that kind of string of great albums in that decade.

"Hotter Than July" which was released in late 1980 featured some amazing songs and signaled an end to the type of music Stevie made throughout his decade of excellence. Although he would continue to make great music, it was not on the same par as the work you find in this 10 year period.

Some of my personal favorites are "All I Do", "Rocket Love", "As if You Read My Mind" & "Do Like You" are as nasty & funky as it gets! I really adore "Lately" which shows off one his greatest strengths in penning love ballads. And of course, "Happy Birthday" which is a crowning achievement for Stevie! I remember him being at the forefront of the move to have Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday honored as a national holiday even speaking in person before a joint session of congress with the president present.

This song was a part of that movement and became the anthem. It once again reaffirmed Stevie's incredible social awareness and giving. He is, along with the Mighty Earth, Wind and Fire, my favorite artist of all time. He was and is truly a genius both as an artist and a person.

Happy Birthday!!!
2004-03-24 - This albums concluding track is the definitive Stevie Wonder
song of the 80's in the minds of many-"Happy Birthday" being the
synth-funk tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. that played a giant
part in making the human rights hero's birthday a national holiday.Horray for Wonder AND horray for delivering yet another
diverse and ear-catching album.From Stevie's sweaty,cornrowed
hair on the cover and burning piano on the back "Hotter Then July" revels in Stevie's wonderous 70's eclecticism from the
rocking lead-off "Did You Have To Say You Love Me",the smooth and
catchy dance-R&B of "All I Do" and the VERY sensual ballad
"Rocket Love"-great start but that's not the HALF of it.From the
counrty pop of "I Ain't Gonna Stand For It",the reggae-ish Bob
Marley tribute hit "Master Blaster" and the typical deeply funky
clavinet-dominated pieces "Do Like You" and the topical "Cash In
Your Face".Do ALL slow declines sound this good?AGHHHHH!!!Wrong-
Stevie Wonder NEVER declined-he just had a new beginning and here
it's a beginning well worth investigating!

A warmer place for all
2000-02-07 - After the brilliant,yet bewildered "Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants",Stevie rushed out(by his standards) with Hotter Than July,the true follow-up to Songs In The Key Of Life.The fact that it isn't up to the standards of the Talking Book or Innervisions is already a constant,but it brings a closure to a winning streak of albums that began with 1972's Music Of My Mind(or 71's Where I'm Coming From according to true Stevie fans).Every cut is a stand-out especially Master Blaster,All I Do,I Ain't Gonna Stand For It(a country tinged tune worthy of a Garth Brooks cover),and the much interpretated classic Lately.The final cut,the MLK-tribute Happy Birthday brings the album to a glorious open-ended finish as well as beautifully closes the book on this Wonder-ful chapter of his career.

wonder into the 80's
1999-09-21 - my last fave Stevie record all the way thru though he's had moments since this release. he helped with Dr. king's holiday being passed and the song happy birthday was a song that replaced the traditional one. Stevie did it with so much soul. all i do with Michael jackson and the Ojays in the back ground still sounds great.i ain't gonna stand for it with Charlie Wilson from the gap band in country mode. again many styles and again Stevie pulls it off.lately is a solid slow-jam.as is the case with stevie so many great songs that didn't even hit.how many artist can claim that?

Very good, one of Stevie's best!
1999-08-06 - This probably is his last consistently great album, though future works such as "In Square Circle" and "Characters" certainly had their moments. Hotter Than July features not only the hits "Master Blaster" and "I Ain't Stand for it," but other classics that have since become Wonder staples such as "Rocket Love" and one of his greatest ballads, "Lately." Defenitely worth picking up if you're a Stevie Wonder fan.