An album that was again almost entirely played by Stevie, who also wrote and produced it, with guest appearances from top players like guitarist David ‘T’ Walker and conga player Larry ‘Nastyee’ Latimer, Innervisions stands as one of the musical high points of the 1970s. The songwriting, production and performances are such high quality that Innervisions transcends genre — it might be soul and funk, but it’s so much more as well. From the tender, jazz-inflected ‘Visions,’ the futurist vocal processing on ‘Too High’ to the exquisite Hammond organ flourishes on ‘Golden Lady,’ it’s full of sublime musical moments. Timeless. 

Pop culture has mined from this early ’70s opus many times over: have a listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ rock cover of “Higher Ground” or a look at the crack den scene in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever, majestically set to “Living for the City.” Produced, arranged, composed and performed almost entirely by Stevie Wonder, Innervisions remains one of soul music’s holy grails.