Track Listing

1. Part-Time Lover
2. I Love You Too Much
3. Whereabouts
4. Stranger On The Shore Of Love
5. Never In Your Sun
6. Spiritual Walkers
7. Land Of La La
8. Go Home
9. Overjoyed

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49861 in Music
• Released on: 1996-03-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 43 minutes

CD Description
From putting out a couple albums a year to only three studio albums between 1980 and '85, some might have thought Stevie Wonder's muse took a vacation. However, between his many cameo appearances, Steve Wonder released IN SQUARE CIRCLE in 1985. It was a slight return to the great music he penned inthe '60s and '70--a playful yet earnest blend of funk and soul--but with a more tailored sound. The hit single "Part-Time Lover" best exemplifies that blend. Although the music's programmed nature is evident, Stevie's keyboard and drum parts are aces. And of course, he gets a little help from an all-star cast, including Philip Bailey, Deniece Williams, Luther Vandross and Stevie's own diamond-in-the-rough Syreeta Wright, among others.

Customer Reviews

I love this album too much, maybe three much
As a kid who became a big fan of Stevie Wonder after hearing That Girl in the late 70s, I had been telling my friends for years just how cool Stevie Wonder was. In 1985, Stevie made my argument for me with In Square Circle, certainly his best album of the last 20 years. The single Part-Time Lover was a huge, huge hit, and the song has such great beat and rhythm that it always sounds fresh and exciting. Go Home also saw success as a single, but it's probably my least favorite song on the album. Then there was Overjoyed; I'm not sure it ever got the attention it deserved as a single. Quite simply, it is one of the most beautiful songs of Stevie Wonder's incredible career. The rest of the album is a smorgasbord of musical delight. I Love You Too Much is a powerful, energetic love song, while Spiritual Walkers and Land of La La are hard-driving songs with infectious beats. If it's slow Stevie Wonder ballads that you want, look no farther than the tender Whereabouts and precious Never in Your Sun. Stranger on the Shore of Love represents the best of both sides of Stevie Wonder, and I think it could have been a huge hit had it been released as a single. The album closes with both a political and moral track called It's Wrong (Apartheid), a song protesting the system of apartheid that still existed in South Africa at the time this album was released.

In Square Circle was actually the very first CD I ever owned, and it still stands as a showcase of what CD technology could do. Overjoyed features the calming sounds of ocean waves in the background, giving the song a very distinctive sound; I Love You Too Much has a unique brush-like percussion beat driving it, and it comes through loud and clear on CD. Stevie was always ahead of his time, and he is one of the few performers who absolutely deserves the title of musical genius. In Square Circle helped introduce Stevie Wonder to a new generation of listeners, and it stands as one of the greatest albums of the late, great 1980s.

Wonderful!
It would be easy to dismiss this 80s effort as purely synthesised pop. But it's more than that. Beneath the drum tracks and sound effects are the intricate and often infectious melodies that make Stevie Wonder a living legend. All that he has learnt from the hit factory of Motown shines on this magnificent album, from the catchy 'Part Time Lover' to the excellent, wistful 'Never In Your Sun'. The record's brightest star, however, is the hauntingly beautiful 'Overjoyed'. Of Wonder's three 80s albums, 'In Square Circle' is indeed his most sincere effort, gliding effortlessly from finger-snapping pop, to soul ballads and social and political concern.

A Stevie Wonder classic!

One of only two albums I have ever purchased by Stevie Wonder - the other being his best-selling 'Hotter Than July' from 1981.

When I first heard the dreamy 'Overjoyed' hit from 1986 - I was sold and simply had to have the album it was taken from. I also purchased the 12" extended single version and played it to death! This beautiful song will forever remind me of the Spring of 1986. Though often liking Stevie's single material, I was never tempted to purchase an album of his until this release. This also includes the top five smash from the previous year: 'Part-Time Lover'. Some of Stevie's songs do tend to go on a bit, but there are some great numbers here like the lovely 'epic': 'Whereabouts' which has 'echoes' of 'Overjoyed', and so if you liked that, then you'll love this track!

My only complaint from an otherwise perfect album, is the last track: 'It's Wrong' which most definitely sounds out of place on this album, and really does seem as if it was put there merely to make up the numbers. In my opinion, this ultimately spoils things a little. However, at least it's put at the end, as I guess it would have ruined things completely had it been placed somewhere in the middle!

Highlights for me are:

Part-Time Lover
Whereabouts
On The Shore Of Love
Never In Your Sun
Land Of La La
Go Home
Overjoyed