Stevie Wonder's 1979 album, "Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants," stands as a unique and ambitious project in his extensive discography. Released on the Tamla Motown label on October 30, 1979, this double album served as the soundtrack to a documentary of the same name, directed by Walon Green. The film itself was based on a book by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, exploring the intriguing world of plant life. Wonder's musical interpretation
of this theme resulted in an experimental and largely instrumental work that pushed the boundaries of his previous funk and soul-oriented sound, incorporating advanced synthesizer technology and digital recording techniques.
The album's creation was deeply influenced by Wonder's interest in ecological and environmental issues, themes that are clearly reflected in its conceptual framework. This commitment to exploring new musical and thematic territory marked a significant departure from his earlier, more commercially successful albums. While some critics offered mixed reviews, acknowledging Wonder's creativity and willingness to experiment, others found the album's complexity and less commercial appeal challenging compared to his previous works. Despite this initial reception, the album has gained appreciation over time for its innovative soundscapes and conceptual ambition, influencing musicians and composers seeking to merge music with nature.
Technological Innovation in Sound Production
"Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants" is notable for its groundbreaking use of technology in music production. The album extensively features complex synthesizer combinations, marking a significant evolution in Wonder's sound. Crucially, it also includes the first recorded use of a digital sampling synthesizer, a technology that would become a cornerstone of modern music production. This pioneering spirit extended to the recording process itself, as the album was recorded onto U-matic video tapes using a Sony PCM-1600 digital PCM adaptor. This made it one of the earliest albums to utilize digital recording, following closely behind Ry Cooder's "Bop till You Drop," which was released just three months prior.
Wonder's embrace of these new technologies was not a one-off experiment; he continued to use digital recording for all his subsequent albums, demonstrating his consistent interest in technological advancement within music. The album's compositions range from deep, meditative soundscapes to more rhythmic and vibrant tones, showcasing the versatility of these electronic instruments. This blend of traditional songwriting with cutting-edge electronic sounds created a distinctive sonic palette that was ahead of its time, contributing to the album's lasting impact on musical innovation.
Chart Performance and Critical Reception
Despite its experimental nature, "Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants" still managed to achieve some commercial success. It reached number four on the rock and R&B album charts, indicating a strong initial interest from his fanbase. The album also produced two singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100. "Send One Your Love" was the more successful of the two, reaching number four, while "Outside My Window" became a minor hit, peaking at number 52. Another single, "Black Orchid," found success in the UK, reaching number 63.
However, critical reception was mixed. While some reviewers, like Robert Christgau, gave it a B- rating, and publications like Smash Hits rated it 6/10, others, including Rolling Stone and Yahoo! Music, offered mixed assessments. Many critics and fans were reportedly unsure how to react to this largely instrumental and conceptual double album, which diverged significantly from the more accessible and commercially successful albums Wonder had released previously, such as "Songs in the Key of Life." Despite the varied initial response, the album is now often cited as an important part of Stevie Wonder's musical evolution and his willingness to experiment, offering a unique insight into his ability to combine music with environmental consciousness.
