Master Blaster (Jammin')

"Master Blaster (Jammin')" is a 1980 single by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder from his 1980 album Hotter than July.

"Master Blaster (Jammin')"
Single by Stevie Wonder
from the album Hotter than July
B-side
  • "Master Blaster" (instrumental) (7-inch)
  • "Master Blaster" (dub) (12-inch)
ReleasedSeptember 12, 1980
Recorded1979
GenreReggae
Length
  • 6:11 (12-inch)
  • 5:08 (album)
  • 4:49 (7-inch)
LabelTamla
Songwriter(s)Stevie Wonder
Producer(s)Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder singles chronology
"Outside My Window"
(1980)		 "Master Blaster (Jammin')"
(1980)		 "I Ain't Gonna Stand for It"
(1980)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Billboard(favourable)[1]

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", "Marley's Hot on the box" 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[2] and peaking at number two on the UK Singles chart and number one in New Zealand.

Personnel
  • Stevie Wonder - Vocals, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Organ, 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, Organ
  • Hank Redd – Saxophone
  • Larry Gittens – Trumpet
  • Rick Zunigar - Guitar
  • Background Vocals - Angela Winbush, Alexandra Brown Evans, Shirley Brewer, Marva Holcolm

Chart history

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[14] Gold 10,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

DJ Luck & MC Neat version
"Masterblaster 2000"
Single by DJ Luck & MC Neat feat. JJ
from the album It's All Good
Released
  • 1999 (as "On da Street" on Red Rose EP)
  • May 2000 (single)
Recorded1999
GenreUK garage
Length3:32 (radio mix)
LabelRed Rose Recordings
Songwriter(s)Stevie Wonder
Producer(s)DJ Luck
DJ Luck & MC Neat singles chronology
"A Little Bit of Luck"
(1999)		 "Masterblaster 2000"
(1999)		 "Ain't No Stoppin' Us"
(2000)

"Master Blaster (Jammin')" was covered by UK garage duo DJ Luck & MC Neat featuring singer JJ, initially titled as "On Da Street" which was released on the Red Rose EP in 1999. It was released the following year as a single and retitled as "Masterblaster 2000". This version was a top 5 hit, peaking at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart.[15]

It samples the All-Star Remix of "No Diggity" by Blackstreet, which itself samples "As Long as I've Got You" by the Charmels.

In November 2016, UK duo Gorgon City compiled a list of their top UK garage songs for Billboard, with "Masterblaster 2000" at #29.[16]

In 2018, the House & Garage Orchestra together with MC Neat and Oggie recorded an orchestral version for the UK garage covers album Garage Classics.

Charts
Chart (2000) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[17] 24
Scotland (OCC)[18] 37
UK Singles (OCC)[19] 5
UK Dance (OCC)[20] 1

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), Cheb Mami with Cornelius (2003, "Enfant d'Afrique"), Jehro (2006) and Minnie Driver (2014).

On 31 December 2014, Ed Sheeran covered this on Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny music show, accompanied by Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.[21]

During the Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life – An All-Star Grammy Salute, Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran performed a version of the song. The show aired on 16 February 2015 on CBS.[22]

References
  1. "Review: Master Blaster – Stevie Wonder" (PDF). Billboard. 85 (38). September 20, 1980. p. 71. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 24, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 636.
  3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. "Ultratop.be – Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin')" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  5. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Master Blaster". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  6. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  7. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, December 13, 1980". Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  8. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. "The Official New Zealand Music Chart".
  10. Swiss Year-End Charts, 1980
  11. "Chart File". Record Mirror. London, England: Spotlight Publications. March 21, 1981. p. 37.
  12. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 27, 1980". Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  13. Musicoutfitters.com
  14. "New Zealand single certifications – Stevie Wonder – Master blaster". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  15. "DJ LUCK & MC NEAT". Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  16. "The 31 Best UK Garage Songs Ever". Billboard. November 22, 2016.
  17. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 23. June 3, 2000. p. 15. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  20. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  21. "Ed Sheeran covers Stevie Wonder's 'Master Blaster' on 'Jools Holland'". March 23, 2001. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  22. "Beyonce Delivers Powerhouse Stevie Wonder Tribute Medley". Article by Daniel Kreps for Rolling Stone. February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
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