Master Blaster (Jammin')
| "Master Blaster (Jammin')" | ||||||||||
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| Single by Stevie Wonder | ||||||||||
| from the album Hotter than July | ||||||||||
| B-side |
"Master Blaster (Instrumental)" (7") "Master Blaster (Dub)" (12") | |||||||||
| Released | September 12, 1980 | |||||||||
| Format | 7", 12" | |||||||||
| Recorded | 1979 | |||||||||
| Genre | Reggae, dub, R&B | |||||||||
| Length |
6:11 (12") 5:08 (Album) 4:49 (7") | |||||||||
| Label | Tamla | |||||||||
| Writer(s) | Stevie Wonder | |||||||||
| Producer(s) | Stevie Wonder | |||||||||
| Certification | Silver (BPI) | |||||||||
| Stevie Wonder singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"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" 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, 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
- Rick Zunigar - Guitar
- Background Vocals - Angela Winbush, Alexandra Brown Evans, Shirley Brewer, Marva Holcolm
Cultural references
The song itself is the subject of an homage by the North African raï singer Cheb Mami titled "Enfants d'Afrique" featuring Canadian superstar Corneille.
'Master Blaster' is the name of a round on the Australian RockWiz rock quiz show, with the two musician guests answering questions on a special subject. The song's tune is played when the round is introduced.
The song was featured in the WKRP in Cincinnati episode called "The Airplane Show" and also in the Portuguese TV movie O Lampião da Estrela.
Charts
| Chart (1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 1 |
| UK Singles Chart | 2 |
| German Singles Chart | 9 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 1 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 2 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 1 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 4 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 1 |
DJ Luck & MC Neat version
| "Masterblaster 2000" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by DJ Luck & MC Neat feat. JJ | ||||
| from the album It's All Good | ||||
| Released | May 2000 | |||
| Format | CD single, 12" | |||
| Genre | UK garage | |||
| Label | Red Rose Recordings | |||
| Writer(s) | Stevie Wonder | |||
| Producer(s) | DJ Luck | |||
| DJ Luck & MC Neat chronology | ||||
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In 2000, "Master Blaster (Jammin')" was covered by UK garage duo DJ Luck & MC Neat featuring singer JJ, retitled as "Masterblaster 2000". This version was a huge hit, peaking at no. 5 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]
It samples the All-Star Remix of "No Diggity" by Blackstreet, which itself samples "As Long As I've Got You" by The Charmels.[3]
Charts
| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scotland (Official Charts Company)[4] | 37 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[5] | 5 |
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), Jehro (2006) and Minnie Driver (2014).[6]
On 31 December 2014, Ed Sheeran covered this on the Jools Holland Hootenanny music show. Ed sang accompanied by Jools' Rhythm and Blue Orchestra.[7]
During the Stevie Wonder: Songs In the Key of Life – An All-Star Grammy Salute Beyoncé, alongside Ed Sheeran and Gary Clark Jr. performed a version of the song.The show aired on 16 February 2015 on CBS.[8]
References
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 636.
- ↑ "DJ LUCK & MC NEAT". Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ↑ "Masterblaster 2000". WhoSampled. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2000-05-27". Scottish Singles Top 40.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2000-05-27" UK Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Master Blaster (Jammin')". WhoSampled. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
- ↑ "Ed Sheeran covers Stevie Wonder's 'Master Blaster' on 'Jools Holland'". WhoSampled. Retrieved 10 Jan 2015.
- ↑ "Beyonce Delivers Powerhouse Stevie Wonder Tribute Medley". Article by Daniel Kreps for Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
External links
| Preceded by "Upside Down" by Diana Ross |
New Zealand Singles Chart October 31, 1980 - November 21, 1980 |
Succeeded by "He's So Shy" by Pointer Sisters |
| Preceded by "Funkin' For Jamaica(N.Y.)" by Tom Browne |
Billboard's Hot Soul Singles number one single November 1, 1980 - December 13, 1980 |
Succeeded by "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang |
| Preceded by "Upside Down" by Diana Ross |
Swiss number-one single November 2, 1980 - November 15, 1980 |
Succeeded by "Woman in Love" by Barbra Streisand |
| Preceded by "Upside Down" by Diana Ross |
Swedish number-one single November 14–27, 1980 |
Succeeded by "Woman in Love" by Barbra Streisand |
| Preceded by "Oliver Onions" by Santa Maria |
Austrian number-one single December 15, 1980 - January 1, 1981 |
Succeeded by "Woman in Love" by Barbra Streisand |
