Stevie Wonder: Characters

THE SINGLE, 'SKELETONS', made a couple of bold statements: its earthy, chunky bass synth lines proved Stevie Wonder to have recaptured the simple approach to a tricky groove that made his early '70s work so special; that it was Characters' first release implied a confidence and commitment to a change of direction from the path that brought him his biggest ever hits ('Part Time Lover' and 'I Just Called'), but comprehensive critical scorn. To buy the album on the strength of that remarkably ill-selling single would not result in disappointment.